The Ecuadorian cement market expanded for a second year running as the Ecuadorian Institute of Cement and Concrete (Inecyc) reported a 5.6 per cent rise in dispatches. In 2012, the market absorbed 6.025Mt, an increase of 319,422t when compared with previous year’s figure. Per capita consumption rose from 386kg to 388kg in 2012.
The advance represents a new record as deliveries surpassed the 6Mt mark for the first time. In 2010 and 2011, total cement sales reached 5.28Mt and 5.70Mt, respectively.
Julio Córdova, Inecyc executive director, attributed the growth to public road and hydroelectric projects as well as the fact that "informal construction has remained at reasonable terms."
Meanwhile, José Centeno, president of the Guayaquil Chamber of Construction, said the increase in sales had led companies such as Holcim to expand its production capacity to meet the cement demand. The Switzerland-based cement major has already started the second phase of its Guayaquil plant modernisation. The project, which represents and investment of US$300m, is scheduled for completion in late 2015.
"This investment will balance local production in order to reduce dependence on imported raw materials, thus generating even greater value added within the country", said the multinational.
According to Córdova, the rising trend in cement consumption would continue in 2013 as public hydropower projects such as Coca Codo Sinclair, Sopladora and Pilatón Toachi support demand.
