Spain: LafargeHolcim Valencia plant cuts production

LafargeHolcim's cement plant in Sagunto, Valencia, Spain, cut production by almost 10 per cent in 2016 in response to the import restrictions imposed by Algeria, its biggest market.

The group is exploring its options to sell the Valencia product cement elsewhere, with Colombia being a potential buyer.

In addition, LafargeHolcim holds a permit to extract sand and gravel from the Salt de Llop quarry, but this is due to expire in December 2017. The municipal government in Sagunto is reportedly unwilling to renew the permit. There is no alternative agreement in place, Miguel Angel Urbano, who is in charge of Lafarge Holcim's plant in Sagunto, said, “there is no alternative agreement in place. If there is no sand and gravel, there is no plant.”