Mexico’s Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V., announced that it is planning to expand the cement production capacity of its APO plant in the Philippines by 1.5 million metric tons per year. Through an investment of approximately US$65 million, the company will increase production and strengthen its distribution network to better serve high-demand areas throughout the country. The increase is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2014.
With this new investment, Cemex will keep pace with the Philippines market’s rapid growth. The country registered a gross domestic product growth of 6.1 percent in the first half of 2012, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has begun multiple infrastructure projects as the country recovers from damage caused by extreme weather conditions. “Infrastructure development has been one of the constant needs of the country and it has to be addressed with urgency,” says Pedro Palomino, country president of Cemex in the Philippines. “We are proud to be a part of the development of the Philippines and wish to be a long-term partner on its path to a prosperous, sustainable future.”