6 - Vicat

5INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY5.2. INVESTMENTS(c) Other Products & ServicesCapital expenditure amounted to 28 million euros,including 24 million euros in industrial investments,relating to the transport business in France and theconcrete precasting business in Switzerland.5.2.1.3. Investments made in 2007The total amount of industrial investments made in2007 was 311 million euros. These are shown belowfor each of the Group’s main businesses. Financialinvestments totaled almost 153 million euros in 2007and correspond in particular to the acquisition of 60 %of the shares in Anys Invest LLP in Kazakhstan, theacquisition of the Swiss companies Desmeules Frèresand Astrada and the increase of its shareholding incompanies already consolidated in France and abroad,in particular Sinai Cement Company in Egypt.(a) Cement : capital expenditure amounting to a totalof 322 million euros, of which 241 million eurosin industrial capital expenditure• France : In Montalieu, the investments begun in2005 and 2006 continued, with in particular thestart up of a new vertical cement mill for milling rawmeal and the new clay homogenisation and storagehall, enabling a daily capacity of 4,000 tonnesper day to be achieved at the end of 2007, whilethe replacement more than 40 % of fossil fuels withalternative fuels continued.• Egypt : The construction of the second firing linecontinued. The upstream sector of the plant, thecrusher and reclaimer are in the technical acceptancephase and the construction of the firing lineis in line with the planned timetable, with civil engineeringfinished and 60 % of the mechanical constructioncompleted.• Senegal : In addition to the start up of the newelectricity generation plant and new dust extractionequipment, a new 10,000 tonne cement silowas commissioned at the end of 2007 enabling adoubling of the plant’s storage capacity. In addition,the work started in 2006 (new bagging unit,new cement filler storage and dosing facility, constructionof a vertical cement mill and a new firingline) continued in 2007.• Switzerland : The electrical renovation program forthe plant continued and the new waste water storageunit was commissioned, allowing its “combustion”in the kiln.• Turkey : Two major investment projects were carriedout in Turkey in 2007.In Bastas, the new firing line with a new coal mill wascommissioned, while in Konya the cement milling capacityof the plant was increased with the start upof the new Horomill cement mill, which will enable areduction in electricity consumption.• United States : Two powder and liquid alternativefuel handling units were built and commissioned inRagland. The opening of new quarries on both siteshas continued.(b) Concrete & Aggregates : capital expenditureamounting to a total of 101 million euros, of which49 million euros in industrial capital expenditureThe investments were mainly made in renovation andinstallation of batching plants and aggregate plantsin France and Switzerland.(c) Other Products & ServicesThe capital expenditure amounted 42 million euros,including 22 million euros in industrial investments,relating to the bagging and construction chemicalsbusinesses in France and to the prefabrication businessin Switzerland.5.2.2. Principal investments in progress and in planningIn the current depressed economic environment,the Group is determined to pursue its growth strategyprudently by building on the benefits of the“Performance 2010” plan. The greenfield projects inKazakhstan and India are continuing. In this context,the total amount of capital expenditure expected for2010 is around 220 million euros. The main projectsare as follows :• France : The investments planned in 2010 mainlyconcern the environment and safety.• Turkey : The investments scheduled are focusedon reducing costs through greater use of alternativefuels, a reduction in internal handling and energyrecovery, as well as safety and environmentalimprovements.• Switzerland : A further investment is in progressupstream of the kiln in order to optimize capacity,particularly during winter periods. Cement storagecapacity will be increased to increase shipments.26 VICAT - 2009 registration document