Cement firm raises output

JAKARTA (JP): Construction began Wednesday to expand PT Semen Andalas Indonesia's cement factory in Lhoknga, Aceh, to increase its annual production capacity from 1.3 million to 1.6 million tons, Antara reported.

The company's president, Martin R. Wilkes, said that Semen Andalas had contracted FL-Smidth & Co A/S of Denmark to complete the US$12.5 million project in 18 months.

Wilkes said that after the expansion, Semen Andalas would continue to focus on the domestic market, particularly Aceh, North Sumatra and Riau.

From 1983 to 1996, Semen Andalas had produced 11.62 million tons of cement and 10.89 million tons of clinker, he said.

He said 2.33 million tons of this cement had been exported. (13)