Madras Cements the flagship enterprise of Chennai based Ramco group, is planning to invest around INR 150 crore in various expansion and power projects. The proposed expansion would be spread across the company's three cements plants in Tamil Nadu.

According to the company's 2010-11 annual report, it is installing a roll press at RR Nagar for increasing the cement grinding capacity from the present level of 210 TPH to 260 TPH at a cost of INR 60 crore. The project is expected to be commissioned in March 2012.

To further augment the production capacity at its Ariyalur plant, the company is in the process of establishing a second unit with a capacity of 2 million tonne per annum. The project is slated to be commissioned in August 2011. Consequently, the cement production capacity of the company will go up to 12.49 million tonne per annum from 10.49 million tonne per annum.

At its Salem grinding unit, the cement grinding capacity is proposed to be increased from the present level of 90 TPH to 230 TPH by installation of a roll press, at a cost of INR 60 crore. The project is expected to be commissioned in December 2011.

At its power plants at RR Nagar, the company is in the process of installing a thermal power plant of 25 MW at a cost of INR 110 crore. The project is expected to be commissioned in August 2011.

Also at Salem unit, the company would install a heavy fuel oil-based power generator of 5 MW at a cost of INR 23 crore. The project is expected to be commissioned any time now.

The company has invested INR 22.11 crore in Andhra Pradesh Gas Power Corporation Ltd by purchasing its 1.6 million equity shares.

The investment entitles the company to source 6 MW power from APGPCL at economical rates compared to the rates charged by Andhra Pradesh state utility.

(Sourced from BS)