Pacific Lime and Cement Limited has received the first major shipment of equipment for its Central Lime Project in Papua New Guinea, marking a transition from civil construction to mechanical installation at the planned quicklime manufacturing facility.
The shipment arrived at Port Kido on October 19 from China, carrying kiln sections, structural steel, mechanical equipment and other plant components representing more than half of the cargo required for the project's two planned production lines.
The company said the delivery marked a major milestone in establishing what it describes as Papua New Guinea's first integrated, export-capable quicklime manufacturing facility.
The remaining major kiln and processing equipment is being prepared for a second shipment.
Foundations and supporting structures for the first kiln are being finalised ahead of the installation of a 600-tonne-per-day unit.
The Central Lime Project's first stage comprises two 600-tonne-per-day twin-shaft regenerative quicklime kilns, alongside a 15-tonne-per-hour hydration plant, crushing and screening facilities, material-handling systems and packaging infrastructure.
Pacific Lime and Cement, which trades on the Australian Securities Exchange as PLA and the PNGX as PLC, is developing the project as part of its strategy to establish domestic lime and cement manufacturing capacity and supply building materials to Papua New Guinea and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Managing director Paul Mulder said the arrival of the equipment was one of the project's most significant milestones to date, bringing major plant components from engineering and fabrication into physical installation.
He said the shipment brought the project closer to domestic quicklime production, which the company expects to support local industries, replace imports and create an export platform.
International contractors and logistics
The integrated plant is being delivered by Shanghai Maiyao Engineering Co. Ltd. under an engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning contract covering both kiln lines and associated processing facilities.
Shanghai Maiyao Engineering is the Chinese representative of Switzerland-based Maerz Ofenbau AG, whose kiln technology is incorporated into the project. Maerz has supplied approximately 750 kilns across 70 countries over more than 70 years of operations, according to Pacific Lime and Cement.
The company said the shipment's delivery involved international procurement, marine logistics, port operations and construction coordination through Synergy Alliance, its 50%-owned construction company. Australis Shipping also coordinated the marine logistics with Synergy Alliance and the project teams.
The equipment was delivered directly to Port Kido, which the company said would reduce intermediate handling and facilitate the transfer of major components to their designated installation areas.
Pacific Lime and Cement is also developing the port as a long-term industrial and logistics gateway supporting the Central Lime Project and other planned industrial activities.
Domestic manufacturing ambitions
The Central Lime Project combines limestone resources, lime processing facilities and dedicated marine infrastructure, with access to domestic and export markets.
Quicklime is an industrial material used in several sectors, including mining, construction and manufacturing. Establishing local production could reduce Papua New Guinea's reliance on imported supplies, although the project's eventual contribution will depend on commissioning, production capacity and market demand.
Pacific Lime and Cement said the arrival of the first shipment adds to recent construction progress and advances the project towards commissioning and first production.
The company is also progressing the Central Cement Project and the Kido Special Economic Zone, which it intends to develop as part of a broader platform for local manufacturing, industrial investment and infrastructure development.
