Ecocem's group turnover totalled EUR63.7m last year, up from EUR61m in the prior year as the company’s operating profit jumped to EUR2.6m from EUR1.5m.

However, the company's US subsidiary Orcem Americas’ plan for a new EUR45m plant in California has run into planning difficulties. Orcem Americas has been involved in an ongoing planning dispute over the construction of a US$50m (EUR45m) grinding mill in Vallejo, close to San Francisco, the group’s first venture in the US. Residents have also expressed concern regarding air pollution from the proposed facility.

Last week Ecocem announced a EUR30m investment in a new production plant in the north of France as part of a joint venture with ArcelorMittal.