On June 27, the Simuma plant of Natal Portland Cement, South Africa, successfully completed a highly precise "surgical-style" technical upgrade of its kiln 2 in just 9 months. This upgrade has significantly increased the daily clinker production from 1,500 tons to 4,000 tons, bringing new life to this 41-year-old facility. Natal Portland Cement was taken over by Huaxin at end of 2023.

At the project inauguration ceremony, Huaxin CEO Li Yeqing reinforced that Huaxin's investment in South Africa has not only contributed to the local economic development but also positively impacted the well-being of the community. This project stands as another successful example of Huaxin's state-of-the-art technology and solutions on the global stage. It will serve as a valuable reference for overseas projects and further support Huaxin's sustained and high-quality development ahead.

Established in the 1980s, Simuma plant has long faced challenges such as outdated equipment, limited production scale, high operational costs, and low efficiency. Following the acquisition by Huaxin, the plant's upgrade project was initiated with the aim of addressing these issues and enhancing its competitiveness. The project was officially launched in September 2024 and involves a comprehensive transformation of the existing 1,500 tpd production line to a more advanced 4,000tpd system. Additionally, the project includes the construction of a 9-megawatt waste heat recovery facility, the addition of a new 1mtpa cement mill, and the installation of alternative fuel processing and feeding systems.

In coming years, the company will also carry out a production capacity upgrade for kiln 1, which will further enhance its competitiveness in the local region and provide strong support for Huaxin’s expansion in the broader South African market, as well as for reducing cement imports.

Local government officials, shareholders, major customers, and representatives from the management and workforce of the Simuma plant attended the ceremony.