Iraq to set up new cement plants producing 52 million tons annually
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals revealed on Tuesday that it is developing a plan to set up new cement factories with a production capacity of 52 million tons annually.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, Doha Al-Jabouri, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that Iraq's cement factories, both associated with the Ministry of Industry and Minerals and the private sector, are currently producing 32 million tons annually.
The Iraqi government has developed a strategy to enhance cement production capacity in response to growing demand and ongoing construction projects in Iraq, as well as to fulfill current and future demands, according to Al-Jabouri.
The Iraqi official indicated that the ministry's plan also offers opportunities to develop integrated cement factories with a production capacity of 52 million tons per year.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, launched in April six large-scale cement factories worth $1.171 billion in the southern Iraqi province of Muthanna.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Al-Sudani initiated commercial operations at Najmat Al-Samawa Cement Plant 2, which produces 6,000 tons per day.
Al-Sudani launched construction works for the Al-Arabi Cement Plant, the Khairat Al-Muthanna Cement Plant, and the Al-Ittihad Cement Plant, each with a capacity of 6,000 tons per day.
Additionally, Al-Sudani launched the construction works for the Al-Samawa Cement Plant with an output capacity of 6,600 tons per day and a 1,200-tons-per-day caustic soda project.
Given the numerous development projects requiring various types of construction materials, Al-Sudani emphasized that the primary goal of the current initiatives is to meet the needs of the local market and eliminate imports.
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