It is expected that an additional 4.8 million tonnes of cement will enter the Ethiopian market as five new factories commence production and two existing factories complete expansion projects.
The new factories that are going into production are Derba MIDROC cement, C.H.Clinker manufacturing plc, Ture Dire Cement, Ethio-Cement, and National Cement expansions in Dire Dawa and Oromia Regional State.
Expansion projects are also being undertaken on Jimma Cement factory and Dejene third and fourth phase projects which are under Derba MIDROC.
The potential cement supply of Ethiopia will reach an estimated 12.61 million tonnes by July of the coming year according to government estimates.
The new factories will be 65 per cent operational by the end of this fiscal year producing 1.3 million tonnes cement. The total estimated production for the 2011/2012 fiscal year is 6.64 million tonnes.
The total estimated production is still 1.3 million tonnes less than expected national demand taking into account the 216 tonnes of cement required for the Grand Renaissance Dam.
It is to be remembered that Derba MIDROC Cement plc, Ethiopia is expected to start test production in the coming week. The factory is 100 per cent complete and has undergone individual unit testing according to Tadesse Kebede, Project Director. It is expected that the factory will be fully operational for commissioning in ten days he said.
The factory is equipped with state of the art technology noted Bedri Vencatesh Deputy General Manager of Holtech Consulting, Indian consultants.
Machinery for the factory was imported from France and Germany and installation was carried out by China National Building Materials.
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