Votorantim Cimentos is to build two new units in the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará. The projects, which were presented by company directors on 24 March at a meeting with the governor Camilo Santana, will be located in Sobral and Pecém. The plants will be known as Sobral II and Pecém II and involve a total investment of BRL969m  (US$302.7m).

Construction of Sobral II is sceduled to start in May this year, followed by Pecém II in July this year. The state of Ceará will offer infrastructure including access roads and power transmission line, as well as tax relief.

The Sobral I and Pecem I cement plants, which are already in operation, currently produce about 3Mta of cement.