EAPCC embarks on Sh1bn plant upgrade - Capital Business
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The upgrade has seen the company's Athi River plant stop its normal operations for a period of six weeks/FILE

Kenya

EAPCC embarks on Sh1bn plant upgrade

The upgrade has seen the company's Athi River plant stop its normal operations for a period of six weeks/FILE

The upgrade has seen the company’s Athi River plant stop its normal operations for a period of six weeks/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 10 – East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC), one of Kenya’s leading cement manufacturers has begun the process of upgrading its main plant, a project that is expected to cost the cement maker approximately Sh1 billion.

The upgrade, which has seen the company’s Athi River plant stop its normal operations for a period of six weeks, is aimed at renewing the plant and making it more reliable and efficient.

According to EAPCC Head of Production, Joseph Kombo, the upgrade targets two sectors of the plant: the kiln and the packing plant.

“In the packing plant, we are upgrading the mechanical and electrical components of the packers as well as improving the bag conveying system all geared towards improved the loading process and quick turnaround thus ensuring customer satisfaction.”

On the clinkering plant, the shutdown is extended to about six weeks from the usual three weeks due to the wide scope of the projects being undertaken by the company.

“We are installing a bag house to replace the electronic precipitators, retrofitting the raw-mill gear box, replacing three sections of the cement kiln shell and installing a radio link into the raw material handling sections, among others.” he continued.

EAPCC is looking at improving reliability, increasing production, and improving efficiency in terms of energy consumption. The bag house will ensure reduced emissions from the plant to insignificant levels complying with international standards of emissions.

“This upgrade will give us a competitive advantage and ensure customer satisfaction, not to mention the cost containment as the plant becomes more efficient,” concluded Kombo.

Advertisement

More on Capital Business