Greece: Heracles Cement plant modernisation

Heracles Cement, a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, announced the completion of its first phase of an investment plan to modernise its Volos plant.

The project, costing approximately EUR5m (US$5.5m), aims to boost the plant's export activity and competitiveness in the domestic market.

In 2016, Heracles Group has modernised the plant's electrical installations, as part of its strategic priorities to ensure employees' Health and Safety, improve functionality and achieve sustainable development for the plant. Apart from improving the reliability of the equipment, the main aim of such upgrades is to further minimise the exposure of people conducting electrical work to danger. 

Moreover, works included the relocation of one of the main fans along with the construction of a new stack, as well as the upgrade of the plant's rotary kiln to achieve maximum productivity and increase the substitution of fossil fuels for alternative fuels.   

Mr George Michos, managing director of Heracles Group of companies commented: "A key pillar of our strategic development plan, always responding to the challenges faced by Greek industry and the building materials sector, is to achieve high levels of operation with constant improvements adding value not only to our production units and our staff, but to our products as well.

"Our presence here today confirms that we turn our commitments into action with visible results. Heracles Group of Companies will continue to apply advanced operating models and create financially and environmentally viable solutions, pivoting on the needs of our customers, the respect for the local communities where we operate and an absolute priority on the health, safety and development of our people."

The Volos plant is Heracles Cement’s largest production unit, creating 450 direct and indirect jobs and contributing more than EUR150m (US$166m) to the local community.