Saudi Arabia-based Alsafwa Cement Company has signed a contract with FLSmidth to increase its white cement production capacity.
Alsafwa aims to convert to a dual white and grey cement production line in early 2020 to target a share of the significant growth in demand for white cement in the local market.
Referencing a 2018 Mordor Intelligence report, Denmark-based FLSmidth says that emerging economies in particular are driving global white cement demand as construction activities increase.
It adds that white cement is especially sought-after in countries with relatively hot climates, as it tends to help keep buildings cooler with its reflective characteristics. In addition, as a high-quality, value-added product, white cement is often used in the construction of innovative buildings and important landmarks.
The Alsafwa project will involve the modification of existing equipment to create the dual white and grey cement production facility.
FLSmidth has conducted several similar grey-to-white conversions in recent years, including for Riyadh Cement Company in Saudi Arabia and Adana Cement in Turkey.
“We have seen the success of FLSmidth conversions elsewhere in the region, so they were an obvious choice as supplier of the expertise and various equipment we needed,” said Yasser Zayed, CEO at Alsafwa Cement.
The modified kiln at Alsafwa is expected to be commissioned in early 2020, and the production objectives are to produce a minimum of 2,000 tonnes per day (tpd) white clinker with a maximum heat consumption of 1380 kcal/kg clinker.
FLSmidth’s Duoflex Burner is used in white cement production, and the conversion project involves installing this burner inside the kiln.
To help keep costs to a minimum, only minor changes will be made to the current preheater with as much existing equipment as possible being reused. The oil handling equipment, clinker cooler, raw material storage system and raw mill grinding equipment will be reused.
