A Northern Ireland cement firm has expressed further optimism for Belfast's emerging Titanic Quarter by announcing plans for a £2m on-site plant investment.

CEMEX NI said it is confident the company will contribute to 'lifting the gloom' which has taken hold of the construction supply industry in the last 18 months.

The firm has already been servicing some of the initial Titanic Quarter developments which will lead to the culmination of the £100m signature project to commemorate the Titanic.

The investment in the strategically located concrete plant means that it can supply and deliver to the greater Belfast metropolitan area and the number of the individual projects backed by the Northern Ireland Executive and most recently Belfast City Council.

It is hoped the new plant will contribute to enhancing the company’s environmental credentials by producing a readymixed concrete with a reduced carbon footprint.

An integrated concrete recycling facility utilising modern technology that demands less energy are among the features that will help reduce the environmental impact of the site.

The high specification plant which has the capacity to produce over 80m3 of concrete per hour will stock all admixtures and additives needed to supply even the most demanding concrete designs.

Paul Connolly, Regional Director for CEMEX NI, said he is positive about 2009.

"The industry has had a tough time in recent months with the slow down in the construction and building related industries.

"We have noted the downturn in our own business, however we are continuing a process of modernisation across our sites in Northern Ireland to help meet our own efficiency targets and to be able to deliver high specification concrete and building material to our customers across the region."

Mr Connolly said he is confident about trading conditions in Northern Ireland this year.

"The NI Executive is now meeting and building projects are being brought forward which are positive signs. My hope is that we can get the sector working again and restore market confidence," he added.

(PR/JM)