Holcim Maroc, a subsidiary of Holcim Ltd, will start operating its production unit near Settat, northwestern Morocco, as of June 2007.
The site has been chosen for its proximity to the Casablanca market, an important cement consumer, and for the nearby quarry. Some 500 mln Moroccan dirhams (US$58.8m) have been invested in the facility. It will cover 74ha, excluding the 340ha quarry. The unit is expected to create some 100 jobs.
The unit will treat some 6,000t of raw material daily. Holcim will use the railway to transport the raw material, the transportation platform has already been installed. The new cement unit will supply not only the Casablanca market, but also the markets of Berrechid, Settat, Khouribga, and Beni Mellal.
