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“GARADAGH CEMENT” OJSC HOSTS STONE LAYING FOR ITS 400-MILLION-DOLLAR RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT WITH PARTICIPATION OF
HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV
 April 14, 2009 – "Garadagh Cement" OJSC , a member of Holcim Group, organized stone laying for its major reconstruction project. The ceremony was honored by the President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, Minister of Economic Development Mr. Shahin Mustafayev, senior executives of Holcim and its key stakeholders at Garadagh Cement (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Azerbaijan Investment Company).
During his speech, the President expressed his strong support for the realization of this important project, and indicated it as the successful outcome of the economic policy of Azerbaijan Government and strong cooperation between Azerbaijan Republic and Swiss Confederation. Mr. Markus Akermann, Chief Executive Officer of Holcim Group expressed gratidute to the President for his encouraging words and for the support the project enjoys at the highest level of the Government of Azerbaijan.
Over the last 10 years "Garadagh Cement" OJSC underwent a significant modernization process which made the company the most reputable cement producer in Azerbaijan, supplying customers with high-quality and innovative products and services, meeting both local and international standards.
In line with Holcim’s sustainable development strategy and having the assured support of the local authorities in Azerbaijan, Holcim has announced in 2008 the implementation of a significant investment project at "Garadagh Cement" OJSC. The plant reconstruction will involve building a new kiln line, based on dry production technology. This will replace the older wet-process technology which is currently operating. Noteworthy, the dry production method is the most advanced technology in the modern cement industry. It is preferred Europe-wide as it is considered to be the most fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. This investment at over 400-million-dollars will be one of the biggest in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan.
The investment made into "Garadagh Cement" OJSC will result in the increase of its capacity by 30% in 2011 when the reconstruction is over. This will enable the company to supply more locally-produced cement to fuel the economic development of Azerbaijan. The new technology will contribute greatly to lower emissions and significantly improve the environmental aspects of the operation of "Garadagh Cement" OJSC.
With its cement, RMX, aggregates operations in over 70 countries, Holcim is recognized as the company with the best sustainability performance in the building materials industry. Our energy saving strategies, efforts in occupational health and safety, and human capital development initiatives have received international recognition. For the forth year in a row, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index has recognized Holcim as “Leader of the Industry”. The Sustainable Asset Management Group (SAM), in cooperation with PricewaterhouseCoopers, presented Holcim with the “Sector Leader” prize and a “Gold Class” distinction at the World Economic Forum 2008 in Davos.
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