Lafarge Algeria is preparing to export grey clinker from its local plants from 2018. The group already exports white cement from its Oggaz plants in the Mascara wilaya.

"It is part of government policy to promote exports. There will be cement overcapacity in late 2017 compared to all the projects that are launched. We are preparing with other (cement manufacturers) to be able to export clinker from 2018, "says Serge Dubois, PR director at Lafarge Algeria.

However, he emphasised that “certain prerequisites” must be met before exports commence. These include the availability of “logistics equipment” and “appropriate port infrastructure designation”. Therefore, the company has issued a call for expression of interest to suppliers and equipment suppliers to load clinker into ships.

The LafargeHolcim-owned cement producer hopes to benefit from the increased demand in west Africa as well as reconstruction efforts in Libya. In the longer-term, Syria is also considered a viable market once it enters the reconstruction phase.