May 22: The biggest cement manufacturer of the country, Hongshi Shivam Cement, has started commercial production of cement. The joint venture of Sharada Group from Nepal and Hongshi Group from China was established in Sardi of Nawalparasi with an investment of Rs 36 billion. The industry was inaugurated  on Friday, May 18. In the first phase, the industry will be manufacturing 6,000 tonnes of cement per day although its optimum production capacity is 12,000 tonnes per day. Before this, the largest cement producer was Arghakhachi Cement which was manufacturing 3,000 tonnes of cement per day.

Hongshi Cement will be available in the market after getting NS (Nepal Standard) quality certification, informed Satish More, manager of Hongshi Shivam Cement.

According to the company, 1,000 Nepali and 400 Chinese workers will get employment as soon as the industry starts full-fledged operation.

The industry requires 80MW electricity for optimal performance. The current power requirement of the industry is 50MW but due to the lack of transmission line, the company is planning to produce electricity on its own.

The industry has its own clinker mine in Palpa but is importing limestone from elsewhere at present as the mine lacks access to road. Hongshi Shivan Cement industry is spread in 200 bighas of land. The industry will be manufacturing 920,000 tonnes of OPC cement and 1.38 million tonnes of PPC cement.