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The Official Inauguration of the Newest and Most Modern Cement and Clinker Producing Facility in Bulgaria Took Place at Devnya Cement AD
The official inauguration of the newest and most modern cement and clinker producing facility in Bulgaria took place at Devnya Cement AD on May 29-th 2015.
Entering the Devnya Cement plant aboard the Corona Express Royal Train composition, the management of Italcementi Group and Devnya Cement AD led the official ceremony and ribbon cutting of the New line for the production of clinker and cement at the Devnya Cement plant, an investment totalling approximately BGN 320 million.
The remarkable traditional folk opening performance of the legendary choir La Mystere des Voix Bulgares marked the start of the official ceremony, followed by the warm greeting of Mr. Carlo Pesenti, CEO of Italcementi Group addressing the over 1000 guests gathered to commemorate the historically significant for the company occasion adding “I am glad to see not only new technology, not only new processes, but a different way of working - with great attention to safety, which is in alignment with our commitment to sustainable development.” H. E. Marko Conticelli, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Republic of Bulgaria also expressed his delight in the tremendous achievement confirmed by the successful realization of the project. As the guest of honor, the Prime Minister Mr. Boyko Borisov took the opportunity to reflect on his experience with the company, proudly recalling and specifically congratulating the incessant optimism and commitment of the employees of Devnya Cement, from the project’s beginning in 2012 to present day. The conclusion of the official ceremony was initiated by Mr. Serge Schmidt, acting Managing Director of Devnya Cement AD who took the opportunity to introduce Mr. Stefano Costa as his successor – the new Managing Director of the Bulgarian operations effective June 1st, 2015.
Ceremonially, Prime Minister Borisov and Mr. Carlo Pesenti cut the ribbon, marking the official inauguration of the newest most modern production line before an audience of over 1000 people including local and national Bulgarian government officials, diplomats, institutional stakeholders, representatives of the Bulgarian business elite, Italcementi Group top management and all employees of the Bulgarian subsidiaries. All guests were able to enjoy the charged atmosphere as well as participate in a tour of the new plant facilities.
Since its initial phase in 2012, marked by the receiving of the Certificate for investment class A-45/09.04.2012, the project was honored by an array of the most prestigious national awards Building of the Year and Investor of the Year upon its completion at the end of 2014. Additionally, two years in a row, the company received the highest national prize in the area of Health and Safety at the workplace.
During this period, thousands of people and over 100 companies worked on the construction site in the different stages of the construction. The new line is renowned for bringing the best available technology in cement production to Bulgaria with the most modern and up-to-date processes, safety and environmental control systems. This new project brings with itself numerous economic and environmental benefits including a significant reduction of dust and CO2 emissions as well as an improved energy efficiency and utilization of alternative fuels, thus confirming the many opportunities to become one of the largest net exporters in the Black sea region.
The construction works involved all elements and stages of the cement production process from transportation of the raw materials to the forwarding of the final products. More precisely this includes: the total revamping of the existing belt conveyor for transportation of raw materials to the plant, the raw materials storage and railway branch; construction of unique homogenous silo built by slip form technology; vertical grinding mill, 128 meters high steel structural preheating tower; dry kiln with nominal capacity of 4000 tons clinker per day; clinker cooler; drainage and sewage infrastructure; pneumatic and belt transporters. In addition to the new production facilities, modern logistic and office buildings (laboratory, control room and canteen) were built. The installed new equipment, facilities and structures originate from leading European and Chinese manufacturers and multiple innovative products and design solutions were implemented mainly in the office buildings and the surrounding infrastructure (including draining concrete brand i.idro DRAIN®).
Devnya Cement AD is part of Italcementi Group which is the fifth largest cement producer in the world, operating in 22 countries on 4 continents, with an overall staff of approximately 18 000 people. The Company’s project “Reconstruction and modernization of the installation for production of clinker and cement at Devnya Cement’s plant” (New Line Project) is one of Italcementi’s major investments in the European region and with its realization Italcementi Group shall consolidate its operations and leading market position in Bulgaria as the largest cement producer and net exporter boasting the broadest product range on the market. The Bulgarian subsidiary has achieved great results over the years and has made significant investments to improve productivity and efficiency of its operations while significantly reducing the environmental impact. The Bulgarian operations hold a Certificate for Energy Management System ISO 50001:2011, ISO 14001 – environmental protection policy and system, ISO 9001 – Quality Management Certificate, as well as ISO 14064 – Carbon Footprint, fulfilling the high demands of the domestic market and the European standards.
The official inauguration of the newest and most modern cement and clinker producing facility in Bulgaria took place at Devnya Cement AD
02.06.2015
