Brazil: LafargeHolcim opens new production line in Barroso

LafargeHolcim has begun production at a new line in its Barroso plant in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new line raises the plant's capacity to 3.6Mta.

Equipment includes the world's largest vertical cement mill, with 450tph production capacity as well as a Horomill for raw material grinding with low power consumption, and a fully-automated quality control laboratory. The new line will allow the reduction of total costs per tonne of cement by around 25 per cent from 2014 to 2017.

Eric Olsen, CEO of LafargeHolcim, said: “The opening of Barroso is key to our strategy in Brazil and will allow us to further improve our cost structure while we continue to supply our customers with our high-quality solutions. For example, we are providing solutions for various projects related to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro including the Olympic Village, the Galeão International Airport as well as new metro and bus lines.”