French cement group
According to reports, the company Smeg, operator of the bulk terminal at Le Havre port, wants to set up a clinker grinding unit and a storage and handling activity but has had its project to build storage silos suspended.
The company Vracs de l'Estuaire, which also wants to set up a clinker grinding unit, has received all administrative authorisation but the project is now blocked as the loading dock at the bulk terminal that it needs now belongs to Smeg.
Both projects would see clinker shipped to Le Havre from Turkey, which is cheaper than that produced locally.
Production costs and the cement sale price will be lower.
Lafarge's factory in Saint-Vigor-d'Ymonville, close to Le Havre, is said to be currently operating at 65% capacity.
It is reported that director Jean-Louis Sibioude says that if production capacity drops below 50%, it would be doomed to extinction.
He highlighted that cement production capacity in France is 32 million tonnes while consumption stands at 18 million.
The group has been present in Saint-Vigor-d'Ymonville for over 40 years, and is preparing to invest some €80 million in its site to ensure its future over the next 40 years.
