Italcementi subsidiary Zuari Cement has started construction of new grinding unit in the Solapur District in the western state of Maharashtra, India.

The grinding centre is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2015 and will have a production capacity of 1Mta.

It is designed to double its capacity to cater for growing demand in the Maharashtra region, one of the largest cement consumption areas in the country, Italcementi said in a statement. The ground breaking ceremony was held on 30 October 2013.

The Solapur unit is another important step in Zuari Cement’s expansion plans in the southern and western parts of Maharastra, Italcementi noted. Thanks to this new unit, the Indian company will be able to meet the needs of its customers across the country even more efficiently.