East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) is set to become the first cement maker in the county to produce its own energy. This is as it seeks to expand its cement production capacity by over 50% in the next two years.
Systems are already in place at the company to produce steam, which will be converted to energy to power operation. The move is set to reduce the firm’s cost of production and increase profitability at the firm, given that energy consumption accounts for about 40% of production costs.
According the firm’s MD Kephar Tande, energy is a major component of output in the manufacture of cement. Chinese and Asian manufacturers produce their own power, and this is why they are able to sell their cement at relatively cheaper prices.
“We are doing the same at EAPCC and are hoping to leverage from expected returns to deliver more value to shareholders,” said Tande.
By Kenneth Kwama
Read the full article here: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2000110456/east-african-portland-cement-company-to-produce-own-power
