TCPI inaugurates new plant, Cebu now produces 100K more cement bags daily

SAN FERNANDO, Cebu-- Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI) inaugurated its new plant in San Fernando, Cebu on July 18, replacing its old production line with a new P12.8 billion state-of-the-art energy-efficient manufacturing facility to produce 100,000 more bags of cement per day to help increase its Philippine market share from pre-pandemic seven percent to 10 percent by 2025.

Masafumi Fushihara, chairman of TCPI’s mother company Taiheiyo Cement Corp. (TCC) of Japan, and Yoshufumi Taura, president and representative director, joined TCPI president and CEO Takashi Miyashita and other executives to mark the milestone.

“We have identified the Philippines as having an exceptionally attractive investment environment with its remarkable economic laws, driven by cooperation, expansion and ambitious infrastructure investment.  We aim to contribute to the economic development of the Philippines by providing a stable supply of high-quality cement for infrastructure investment,” Taura said in his opening message.

Taura acknowledged that TCC has shifted focus with its investments towards Southeast Asia, especially in the country adding that the new TCPI production line is a "state-of-the-art, energy-efficient facility producing quality clinker that will enable the company to reduce its clinker intensity, and thereby its CO2 emission.

Taiheiyo has been diligently working towards the objective of becoming a corporate group that prioritizes safety and security for society across the Pacific rim, “leveraging the collective strength of our group.” Taura said.

TCPI used to produce only 50,000 to 65,000 bags of cement per day and will now produce no less than 150,000 bags per day, an increase from daily clinker production of 2,500 tons to 6,000 tons.  San Fernando town is also now operating a jetty and a new marine belt conveyor system that runs from an expanded port offshore, complementing the new plant, Taiheiyo bared. 

Miyashita on the other hand recalled that TCC approved the investment as its board firmly believes in the Philippines' capacity to sustain remarkable growth, adding that the new plant can produce up to five million metric tons per year, yet “our efforts are devoted to reducing carbon footprints through improving energy efficiency.”

“Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, Taiheiyo Cement's utmost dedication towards excellence and innovation led to the completion of this new production line.  This new facility will have a significant impact to the economy of Cebu, another chapter to our ever-growing relationship,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya lauded Taiheiyo for continuing the project through the pandemic.

 

Lesser imports, GDP growth from 5.6% in 2023 to 6.2% in 2025

 Meanwhile, DTI-Secretary Alfredo Pascual, in his message bared that the production capacity of the new TCPI plant will reduce the country’s reliance on imports and aligns perfectly with the government's BBM infrastructure program and bolster the Philippine cement production by three million tons annually.

“I commend TCPC for setting a new standard for an environmentally responsible manufacturing in the cement industry that helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 10 percent. This would mean a decrease in energy consumption and lower clinker factor that contributes to achieving a greater and greener future for our world,” Pascual said and thanked TCC for the investments poured into the Philippine economy.

Pascual mentioned that other than the P12.8 billion plant, the P3.1 billion jetty and marine belt conveyor projects, the P1.4 billion port area development also in San Fernando, and the P3.7 billion Luzon distribution terminals in Calaca, Batangas are some of the TCC’s investments in the country.

Pascual noted that Japan's continued development and assistance propelled the Philippines to achieve a remarkable growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 5.6 percent in 2023. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecast a six percent GDP growth rate this 2024, and 6.2 percent in 2025, outperforming major Asian economies.

The government seeks to sustain annual public infrastructure spending at five to six percent of GDP under the BBM infrastructure program.  “This level of spending for infrastructure will keep the high demand for local cement,” Pascual pointed out.

Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia thanked Taiheiyo for its trust and confidence in Cebu by doubling its investments within the 44-hectare site in South Poblacion, San Fernando, Cebu, stimulating further the local economy and generating additional employment in the surrounding community.

“You have indeed been and will continue to be a valued partner of this great, united province of Cebu,” Garcia said. (Photos: Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc.)