MAKASSAR (Yosefardi) – PT Semen Tonasa, unit of PT Semen Indonesia Tbk (SMGR), sold 2.79 million tons of cement in first half of 2013, jumped 137% compared to the same period of 2012, Bisnis Indonesia reported this morning.

Semen Tonasa produced 2.75 million tons of cement in first half along with the operation of Tonasa V plant with capacity to produce 3 million tons per year.

The company targets to produce 6.5 million tons of cement this year inline with the expected 18.1% demand growth.

However, cement demand in eastern part of Indonesia only grew by 8.3% in first half due to slowdown in construction development.

Meanwhile Semen Indonesia earlier reported its group’s cement sales reached 12.23 million tons in first half of this year, increased 18.5% from the same period of last year.

While national cement sales, based on data from the Indonesian Cement Association, rose 7.5% to 27.8 million tons in first half. Semen Gresik contributed 6.2 million tons, Semen Padang 3.39 million tons and Semen Tonasa (the rest). SMGR now holds 43.7% market share.