Libyan Cement Company

Founding and early production (1968–1980s)

The Libyan Cement Company began production in 1972 with a single factory in Benghazi, with an initial capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year of ordinary Portland cement. A second production line was commissioned in 1974, adding a further 400,000 tonnes per year of capacity, followed by a third line in 1977 with an additional 400,000-tonne capacity, which brought the company's total output to approximately one million tonnes per year.

The company expanded its operations through additional facilities in the surrounding region. The Hawari cement plant was established in 1978 with a design capacity of one million tonnes per year of ordinary Portland cement. In 1987, modifications were made to both production lines to produce sulphate-resistant cement for the Great Man-Made River project. The El-Fataiah cement factory, located approximately 20 km east of Derna and 300 km east of Benghazi, began production in 1984. It has two production lines with a combined capacity of one million tonnes per year. A paper-bag manufacturing facility began production in 1975 with an initial capacity of 100,000 bags per day. A second production line was added in 1978.

Operational developments (2000s)

By 2007, the Benghazi plant was producing approximately 800,000 tonnes per year. The original 1972 factory subsequently halted production owing to maintenance problems.

Changes in ownership (2008–present)

In 2008, The Libyan Cement Manufacturing Joint Venture Company (JLCC), a joint venture between Austria's Asamer Group and Libya's Economic and Social Development Fund (ESDF), acquired a 90% stake in LCC, while the remaining 10% was held by LCC employees. In April 2015, Libya Holdings Group announced an agreement to acquire a majority stake in LCC from QuadraCir Group, formerly Asamer Holding AG.

In 2023, Ahmed Gadalla, founder and chairman of Alushibe Holding Group, acquired shares in the Libyan Cement Company and later became chairman of the company.

The company announced plans to rehabilitate and expand its production facilities, with the stated aim of increasing total annual production capacity to approximately three million tonnes.

The Libyan Cement Company operates production facilities across the eastern region of Libya, with its main operations concentrated in and around Benghazi. In 2012, Global Cement reported that LCC's six production lines across Benghazi, Hawari and Al-Fataiah supplied more than one third of Libya's cement demand.

Production facilities

The company's principal production sites are located at Benghazi, Hawari and Al-Fataiah. The Benghazi plant, the company's original facility, commenced operations in 1972 and produced approximately 800,000 tonnes per year as of 2007. The Hawari plant, established in 1978, has a capacity of one million tonnes per year and was adapted in 1987 to produce sulphate-resistant cement. The El-Fataiah factory, located approximately 20 km east of Derna and 300 km east of Benghazi, began production in 1984. It has two production lines with a combined capacity of one million tonnes per year.

In addition to its cement plants, the company established a dedicated packaging facility in 1975, with an initial capacity of approximately 100,000 cement bags per day.

Products

The Libyan Cement Company produces a range of cement and construction materials, including ordinary Portland cement, sulphate-resistant cement. Its products serve the construction and infrastructure sectors across Libya.