Baku: ‘Norm’ OJSC has successfully completed a major project to expand the clinker production capacity of the Norm Cement plant, APA-Economics reports. As a result, the plant’s annual clinker capacity has increased from 1.76 million tons to 2 million tons, representing a nearly 14% growth, equivalent to an additional 240 thousand tons per year. The project was implemented with the participation of international partners, including China’s BTIEC and Germany’s Gebr. Pfeiffer and Claudius Peters.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, Henning Sasse, CEO of the company, stated that although supply in the domestic cement market currently exceeds demand, this expansion remains aligned with the company’s long-term strategic vision. The decision to increase production capacity considers the expanding infrastructure needs and export opportunities of the country and the region. The initiative aims to meet domestic demand and expand clinker export opportunities to foreign markets, thus strengthening Azerbaijan’s industrial potential for the next 15-20 years.
‘Norm’ OJSC continues to invest in innovation, particularly in the production of oil-well cement, a strategically important product for the energy industry. The company closely cooperates with international energy companies such as SLB in Azerbaijan and bp, expanding partnerships year by year. Currently, the product is exported to several Central Asian countries, with plans to strengthen export potential and expand presence in new international markets. Norm is the sole producer of oil-well cement in Azerbaijan and, in 2021, became the first company in the South Caucasus to obtain an API certification from the American Petroleum Institute for this product.
Norm also invests in modernizing production processes and reducing environmental impact. The company has reduced the clinker ratio in cement production by 5% since last year, allowing approximately 85 thousand tons of clinker to be redirected to additional cement production. As Azerbaijan’s leading cement and building materials producer, Norm reduces specific CO2 emissions by optimizing the clinker ratio of its products, supporting sustainable development goals.
‘Norm’ OJSC is a part of NEQSOL Holding, a diversified group of companies operating in more than 10 countries across the energy, telecommunications, hi-tech, and construction industries. The expansion of the production capacity of the Norm Cement plant is an important part of NEQSOL Holding’s ongoing investments to support the sustainable growth of Azerbaijan’s economy.