TAPAH: Lhoist Malaysia, a subsidiary of Lhoist Group, opened its 34ha fully-automated lime plant in Tapah today, as part of its expansion plan, with an investment of RM704.17 million.
Group chairman Baron Jean-Pierre Berghmans said the project would also offer job and business opportunities to the locals, as well as technology sharing through the collaboration with the state government.
“Being a family-owned company, we pride ourselves with the most modern fully-automated plant in Asia.
“When we decided to build the plant, we took into account the skills and professionalism of the local workforce.
“The establishment of the state-of-the-art lime plant also means significant knowledge and technology transfer,” he said in his speech during the opening ceremony of the plant today.
The plant is estimated to produce 1.5 million tonnes of limestone annually with 80 per cent meant for export and the remainder for the local market in various sectors including steel production and construction.
Lhoist said in a statement that it is eyeing significant growth in Asia for the next five years and have forecasted a four per cent compound annual growth rate in global lime market with Asia Pacific representing the largest and fastest growing regional market.
The opening of the plant (Lhoist’s first plant is in Ipoh) boasts advanced technologies that ensured low carbon footprints as well as creating jobs where more than 70 per cent of the 350 workforce, are locals.
Lhoist Human Resources Vice President and General Management – Asia, Mohd Sarthar Sulaiman, said the construction of the plant involved mainly local contractors.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was present to officiate the plant.