LafargeHolcim will invest US$9m to upgrade its production facilities in El Salvador in view of an expected rise in demand.

Around US$3m will be spent on 16 projects in its El Ronco works, in Metapán, Santa Ana. The investment will enable the 1.7Mta plant to upgrade its transport areas and improve the flow, order and security at El Ronco.

A further US$6m will be used to upgrade production equipment and enable the company to meet the demand generated by the El Chaparral hydroelectric dam, according to Jaime Recinos, manager of corporate development of LafargeHolcim El Salvador. El Chaparral is forecast to cost US$290m and will be located on the Torola river, in the municipality of Carolina, San Miguel.

LafargeHolcim plans further investment in plant improvements in 2017 with the exact details to be announced in the last quarter of this year, said Mr Recinos. Between 2011-14, LafargeHolcim has invested US$20m in its El Salvador operations.