Embarking on one of the largest regional cement projects, Saudi Cement Company (SCC) is investing around SR2.2 billion (US$578m) to step up production and meet steadily rising local and regional demand. The company’s board of directors has decided to expand the company’s production at its Hofuf Plant by constructing two complete new lines of 10,000tpd clinker capacity each.
”This is one of the world’s largest cement projects” said Walid Al-Juffali, SCC Chairman and Managing Director about the company’s new expansion project. ’This project is vital for our country and it would effectively participate in the progress and development of the National Economy.’
Under the Hofuf expansion, two new production lines with a total output of 6.6Mt of clinker annually, will be added thus increasing SCC’s total production by around 160 per cent. Sinoma has reportedly won this contract which is said to be worth US$580m.
’Our plans for increasing production capacity are parallel with maintaining our high quality products and protecting the environment through installing more effective equipment for environmental protection and control of dust emission. This is to comply with international standards and MEPA requirements.’ Al-Juffali said. ’We coordinate with MEPA in this regard.’
SCC operates two factories, in Hofuf and Ain Dar some 35km apart and about 130km from King Abdulaziz Seaport in Dammam. The company presently operates 10 cement kilns with a total clinker capacity of 4.15Mta, according to Mr. Juffali.
Both factories also operate 9 cement mills with a production capacity of about 6Mta. ’We presently produce Ordinary Portland cement (low alkali), Sulphate Resisting cement, and Oil Well cement’, Mr. Juffali said.SCC has been marketing its products in the local and foreign markets since 1961. Its two plants serve the surrounding markets such as the Alahsa area, Dhahran, Dammam and Al-khobar in the Eastern Province, Riyadh and its nearby markets in the Central Province .
SCC export operations are carried out through an export terminal recently built at King Abdulaziz Seaport, for loading bulk cement and clinker is about 800tph for cement and 700tph for clinker.
The company exports to the Gulf Cooperation council (GCC) countries, particularly Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, and also to some European and African countries and the United States . Until recently exports accounted for 30 - 35 per cent of its production.
