On April 2nd, Simuma cement plant of Natal Portland Cement Company (NPC) in South Africa held a groundbreaking ceremony for the kiln line expansion project.

Boasting 60-year history in South Africa, NPC officially became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huaxin from December 26, 2023. It has 1 kiln line factory, 1 cement grinding station, 1 steel slag grinding station, 8 concrete plants and 2 aggregates quarries. As the one and only cement kiln plant in Northeast South Africa, enabling it enjoys unique strategic market advantages. At present, local cement players in South Africa cannot meet the market demand, over one million tons of cement has imported on a yearly basis. The Simuma cement kiln expansion project is designed to increase the daily clinker output from 1500 tons to of 4000 tons and is planned to be completed in February 2025. After it puts into operation, the operational efficiency and output will be significantly improved, the operating costs will be significantly reduced, thus strengthening Simuma’s market competitiveness further.

Ms. Nomusa Dube NCube, Premier of KwaZulu Natal Province, Ms. Liu Yu, minister-counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, Mr. Xu Gang, Vice President and General Manager of the Overseas Region of Huaxin, NPC management, the heads of China Export Import Bank and Bank of China in South Africa, government officials, community residents, employees and customer representatives attended the event.

Ms. Nomusa Dube NCube expressed her thanks to Huaxin for the investment in KwaZulu Natal and pointed that as a local prestigious enterprise, NPC has made great contributions to the building of local communities in the past 60 years. The Simuma expansion project will not just introduce more advanced equipment and technology and create more jobs, but also save forex and generate more tax revenues.

Ms. Liu Yu appraised that as a leading building materials company in China with international reputation, the acquisition of NPC by Huaxin is a “marriage” between the two long-established companies. Under the backdrop of China – South Africa Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Golden Era, the Chinese government will consistently support Chinese-funded business and hope Huaxin to make greater success in South Africa.

Mr. Xu Gang emphasized as the sole shareholder of NPC, Huaxin will usher in sophisticated cement management concepts and process technology as part as efforts to improve the local industrialization, offer high quality products and cultivate professional talents, deliver the commitments to local society and make contributions accordingly to the economic development of South Africa.