Lafarge Malayan Cement to finalise expansion plans by August

Lafarge Malayan Cement is expected to finalise plans for a new expansion project by the end of August this year, according to the company's chief executive Bradley Mulroney.

"We are very close to finalising the option we want to adopt for our next phase in terms of expansion," Mr Mulroney told reporters, adding that a decision is likely to be made at the company's board meeting in August.

Mr Mulroney expressed confidence in the growth potential for Malaysia's cement demand which will be driven by key government infrastructure projecs led by the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and 10th Malaysian Plan (10MP). It forecasts demand growing at around four per cent in 2013 compared to last year. At present, Lafarge is the exclusive supplier for the Manjung and Tanjung Bin power plants, klia2 as well as two mass rapid transit (MRT) sections in Bangsar and Taman Tun Dr Ismail. The company is also looking to secure further projects under these programmes, according to Mr Mulroney.

He also added that Lafarge Malayan Cement's facilities were now running at full capacity as 20-30 per cent account for the company's business. It is about to start exporting to Mynamar, with other export markets also opening up, Mr Mulroney noted.