Votorantim Cement has inaugurated its production plant at the Aratu Industrial Complex in the town of Candeias in Bahia state. The event was attended by representatives of the local authorities, the construction segment and Votorantim shareholders and executives.

The new Aratu plant was the result of an investment of R$ 50 million and will produce cement and mortar to meet the growing demand in the metropolitan region of the capital of Bahia, Salvador. The project is part of an extensive production capacity expansion program which Votorantim Cement is undertaking until 2011. The program involves investments of more than R$ 2 billion for the construction of new plants throughout Brazil, as well as the reactivation, expansion and modernization of the existing plants.

As the operations began less than a year ago, the plant is still in the learning curve period. It has produced 40% of its capacity of Votomassa brand mortar and Matrix brand adhesive. The plant has already met its annual expectation and produced 320,000 tons of cement. It is worth noting that it is the only VC plant to produce Aratu cement, a brand which is highly regarded in Bahia.

This new plant will strengthen Votorantim Cement´s presence in the Northeast, particularly the Bahia market, and allow the company to attend clients in the region more flexibly. It is located in an area measuring 370,000 square meters and the company is proud that 70% of the total area contains preserved native woodland.