Heidelberg’s Polish expansion

The largest ball mill in Europe is being claimed by HeidelbergCement as it completes the capacity expansion project plant at its Górazdze, Poland, site.

The new mill has a capacity of 1.4 million tonnes per year and follows last year's increase in kiln capacity. Heidelberg said that in 2012, total cement capacity in Poland would rise to 5.6 million tonnes.

Dr Bernd Scheifele, chairman of the managing board of HeidelbergCement, said, "With the new mill, we successfully complete another important project of our investment programme in attractive growth markets.

"The expansion of both kiln and mill capacity was done in a very capital efficient way, with total investment costs of less than €80 per tonne of cement."

He said that the expanded capacities enabled the company to meet rising demand for building materials in Poland better, while continuing to strengthen its position as the market leader in the country.

"With the new mill, we are able to manufacture various types of cement, depending on the market and customers' demand," he said.

Górazdze is HeidelbergCement's largest, most modern cement plant in Europe. In 2011, the clinker capacity was expanded from 3.1 to 4.0 million tonnes per year. It claimed that by using state-of-the-art technology, HeidelbergCement reduced specific energy consumption and CO₂ emissions per tonne of cement, and increased the use of alternative fuels.

It said the installation of the new ball mill meant the cement grinding capacity was increased in line with the expanded clinker capacity.

HeidelbergCement forecasts strong cement consumption for Poland in the next three to four years. It said domestic demand, in particular, would increase as a result of further development of infrastructure investments and a growing demand in residential construction.