Swiss cement firm Holcim to invest Rs. 100,000-mn in India

New Delhi: To exploit the burgeoning infrastructure sector, Swiss cement maker Holcim will invest about Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years to set up plants and raise capacity by 25 million tonnes in the country.

The company is in India through ACC and Ambuja Cements, in which it had acquired controlling stakes.

“We aim to grow at 8-10 per cent annually and for that, we will add 4-5 million tonnes of capacity each year at an investment of $400-500 million a year. In the next five years, we will add up to 25 million tonnes,” Holcim Asia Pacific Management Team Member Amit Kothari said.

As on December 31, 2007, the company had a production capacity of 45 million tonnes through the two firms, he said.

On the number of plants it would set up, he said, “It will depend on the sizes of the plants.”

Kothari said the company was currently working on capacity expansion of four plants - two each of ACC and Ambuja.

Asked about further acquisition in the country to consolidate its position, he said: “No acquisition at the moment. If there is an opportunity, we will definitely look at it. But right now, we are hands full with ACC and Ambuja.”

The company, however, has no plans to bring the Holcim brand to India.

Holcim has a global sale worth about $20 billion, where India contributes $2-2.5 billion, Kothari said.

The company has 24 plants in the country and enjoys a market share of about 23-25 per cent.

Holcim has manufacturing facilities in 70 countries with a capacity of over 200 million tonnes. It has a presence over 75 countries.