Paraguay’s Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC) expects to close this year with around PYG25bn (US$4.4m) in cash and a positive balance, according to its President, Jorge Méndez.

He added that various projects undertaken at the plant – such as conversion from a fuel oil-based to a 100 per cent petcoke firing programme at Vallemí and the planned modern palletiser at Villeta – will enable the cement producer to increase output and decrease production costs.