With more than US$10m being used to buy imported cement, news that a local factory is pushing ahead with production improvements is welcome news to government planner. Vanvieng Cement Factory with a proposed capacity of 300,000tpa, is a joint venture between the Lao PDR as Agriculture and Industry Development Enterprise, with 40 per cent ownership, and the Chinese Yunnan International Economic-Technical Cooperation Company (60 per cent).
To date, the plant is endevouring to upgrade to meet international cement standards, stressed Mr Vichith Vannalath, Deputy Director of the Vanvien Cement factory. In addition, he added, the factory has installed dust control machinery to improve environmental performance.
The plant gets its limestone locally from Vangvieng district, while lignite is taken from Khammuane province. At present, the factory employs 1000 people many of which are now undergoing training.
