Pakistan’s leading cement producer Lucky Cement reported a profit after tax for nine months of PKR8.185bn (US$83m), up 17.2 per cent YoY.

Earnings per share (EPS) for the period increased to PKR25.31 against an EPS of PKR21.59 of corresponding period last year.

Local sales volumes during the period registered a growth of 7.7 per cent to 2.9Mt compared to 2.7Mt in FY12-13. Exports increased 11.8 per cent YoY to 1.9Mt.

The company has recently started production at its joint venture grinding plant in Basra, Iraq and is also investing in a new plant in DR of Congo. It has also decided to increase its shareholding in the associated company for wind farm project.

Continuing with its sustainability practices, the company has planned to add two waste-heat-recovery plants at its Karachi and Pezu projects.