The second new-process production line of the Chongqing Lafarge Cement Co Ltd started operation in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on November 8.  
 
With total investment of USD40m, the second cement production line, which started construction in February 2004, will help increase the company’s production capacity from 800,000 tons to 1.8Mt. The production line uses many China-made equipment. 
 
Lafarge, one of the largest building materials companies in the world, is among the list of the world top 500. It now employs about 77,000 people, with operation extending to 75 countries and regions. It is among the first in the world in production of cement, concrete and plaster building materials. Its total business volume reached 14. 4 billion euros in 2004.  
 
Lafarge began its foray on the Chinese mainland in 1994, and founded the Chongqing Lafarge Cement Co Ltd in cooperation with the former Chongqing Cement Factory in July 2003.  
 
Among those attending the ceremony marking the operation of the second cement production line were Phillippe Geulluy, French Ambassador to China, Bruno Lafon, chief operation officer of the Lafarge Group, and Jung Soo Lee, general manager of the Chongqing Lafarge Co.