OCC has been contributing to Oman's development for more than 19 years.
OCC records good growth figures
Oman Cement Cement is eyeing expansion plans, buoyed by greater demand for its products and positive growth in the cement sector
01 March 2003
Last year was a good one at Oman Cement Company (OCC) as production figures rose and growth prospects for the cement industry as a whole look positive, according to OCC.
So much so that the company may, if demand holds up, increase cement manufacturing capacity in the future, says a spokesman.
"Last year, we manufactured 1.523 million tonnes of cement, more than the previous year, and this indicates a positive trend," says M N Verma, OCC quality control manager.
"The growth prospects for the industry seem positive," he continues. "There is competition because of the number of cement manufacturers across the border in the UAE but it is believed that healthy competition will strengthen the industry as a whole."
OCC has been at the forefront of Oman's manufacturing industries, contributing to every facet of the Sultanate's development for more than 19 years.
The company has made major strides, having won His Majesty's Cup for the Best Five Factories in Oman for the tenth time and achieving ISO 14001:96 certification for its environment management system effective September 2001.
"Oman Cement Company has made rapid strides in the field of cement production through its unflinching commitment to produce cement conforming to international standard specification, follow a quality management system, maintain the highest standard in manufacturing and achieve absolute customer satisfaction," says Verma.
OCC has three cement mills, two of which have a capacity of 62 tonnes per hour and a third with a 70 tonnes per hour capacity. The manufacturing process is dry with two pre-calciner kilns having a 2,000 tonnes per day capacity. Approximately 99.5 per cent of the raw materials required in the process are available locally, with bauxite being the only imported item.
According to Verma, the mills produce four cements:
* Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) conforming to Omani standards OS7:2001, BS/EN 197-1:2000 CEM I 42.5N (LA) and ASTM C-150 Type V:99a;
* Sulphate-resisting cement (SRC) conforming to BS4027:96 Class 42.5N (LA) and ASTM C150 Type V:99a;
* Blast furnace slag cement conforming to ENV197-1 Type CEM III-B 1994; and
* Oilwell cement Class A and Class G conforming to API specification 10A. The product was introduced recently and is used for cementing oil wells.
A strict quality control is maintained right from the raw material stage to the finished product and a laboratory, well equipped with sophisticated instruments, functions round-the-clock. OCC has already acquired ISO 9001:94 certificate of approval from Bureau Veritas Quality International (BVQI) with accreditation from DAR and UKAS, he says.
The entire cement production process is controlled by a state-of-the-art Advant distributed control system, is fully computerised and is handled by well-qualified and experienced personnel.
OCC currently exports 41.6 per cent of its output, primarily to the UAE (its main export market), Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
"Export figures have increased by about six per cent recently, thanks to improving market demand for our high quality products," says Verma. "And we plan to increase exports, particularly those of oilwell cement," he adds.
Its extensive client list includes numerous ready-mix plants, major block manufacturers and contractors and its products have been used in the construction of prestigious buildings in Oman such as Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Central Bank of Oman, AL Bustan Palace Hotel, the PDO (Petroleum Development Oman) headquarters building and the new Salalah Container Terminal.
More recently, OCC has supplied OPC and SRC to Sohar Port and Alaskara fishing harbour, and oilwell cement to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), Schlumberger and Occidental Oman.
The company is also authorised to carry the American Petroleum Institute quality monogram on its oilwell cements.
OCC was established in 1978, currently employs 362 staff and has an annual turnover of RO21.6 million ($56.2 million).
