New Zealand: Holcim has delayed the decision to build a new cement plant in Weston until 2013. It is now the fifth time since 2009 that the multinational producer has failed to confirm its plans for the US$400m project.
"In this very challenging environment the Weston project continues to have the support of Holcim and the team are refining project information and working on various elements to ensure that the project proposal remains in a state of readiness for future consideration," said Holcim New Zealand capital projects manager Ken Cowie. He blamed the 'uncertain' international financial situation for the delay but denied that the project had been scrapped. The replacement for the Westport plant will have a capacity of 0.86Mt/yr.