Two workers checks quality of cement package. According to a plan for Vietnamese construction materials, cement projects with a capacity less than 2,500 tonnes of clinkers per year will not be granted investment certificates. — Photo hanoimoi.com.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Viet Nam has decided against the granting of investment certificates to cement projects with a capacity of less than 2,500 tonnes of clinkers per day.

This move is part of a general plan, which the Prime Minister recently approved, for the production of Vietnamese construction materials by 2020, with projections up to 2030.

According to the plan, the country's demand for cement is expected to hit 56 million tonnes in 2015 and 93 million tonnes in 2020. To meet this demand, the Vietnamese cement industry will be aiming for an 80- to 90-million tonne production capacity in 2015, and increase this to 120 to130 million tonnes in 2020.

Cement for export is expected to make up from 20 to 30 per cent of the country's total capacity.

Meanwhile, new cement production lines must take advantage of heat from the gas waste of calcinatories to generate electricity, and must also make use of other alternative electricity sources.

The cement industry must also increase the quality and variety of its products to meet demand for special construction projects. It is expected to produce new products such as offshore cement and cement for oil and gas boreholes.

The plan also defines cement capacity for each region. By 2015, the Red River Delta is expected to produce the largest amount of cement with 39.15 million tonnes, followed by the north central area and central coastal area with 23.06 million tonnes.

The northern midland and mountain areas are expected to produce 12.18 million tonnes and the Mekong Delta, 4.47 million tonnes. The southeastern region is expected to produce the smallest amount wat 3.8 million tonnes. — VNS