Nepal: Bishal Cement Industries (BCI) formally commenced operation on 28 July 2012. The factory based in Manahiya VDC-4 in the Rupandehi district, produces 300t/day of OPC and 400t/day of PPC brand cement.
"We are planning to use 70% and 30% of the total capacity to produce Pozzolanic Portland Cement (PPC) and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)," said Jayendra Chudal, executive director of the company.
Costing over US$5.6m the factory has an inbuilt dust controller and six dust bag collectors to control the emissions. The company has been sourcing raw materials such as gypsum from India, Pakistan and Bhutan but using locally produced clinker. Direct employment opportunities have been provided to 150 skilled and semi-skilled workers.
With the opening of Bishal the number of cement factories operating along the Bhairawa-Lumbini Industrial corridor has reached 11. Producers estimate that Nepal has been importing 30% of its cement from India to meet its total domestic demand for 25Mt.