By the end of the first half of 2025, the company Les Ciments de Bizerte is still struggling to stay afloat, facing a strained financial situation marked by a decline in revenue, cash flow tensions, and the inability to meet its financial obligations.
In light of this situation, the company was forced to temporarily suspend its clinker production, the company’s main activity, and limit itself to grinding imported clinker and unloading petroleum coke ships on behalf of third parties.
During the second quarter of 2025, clinker production remained halted due to the lack of petroleum coke, the only fuel suitable for operating the kiln.
Despite this major constraint, cement production reached 41,009 tons, an increase of 23.21% compared to the same period in 2024 (33,282 tons).
In contrast, lime production dropped by 17.2%, reflecting a decline in domestic demand in this segment.
On the financial side, local revenue increased by 21.1%, rising from 8 million dinars to 9.7 million dinars.
This improvement is mainly due to the recovery of cement sales and income from port activities, which generated 908,276 dinars thanks to the unloading of seven petroleum coke ships, totaling 75,690 tons.
However, the financial situation remains concerning. The public company is struggling to meet its commitments to suppliers and banks.
Medium-term loans slightly increased from 120.7 million to 122 million dinars, while working capital loans declined to 26.7 million dinars from 27.1 million a year earlier, used primarily for pre-financing inventory.
To address the crisis, Les Ciments de Bizerte announced the adoption of a restructuring plan aimed at improving its financial situation and enhancing operational efficiency, with the support of a specialized consulting firm.
Outlook for the third quarter of 2025 appears more favorable, with:
– The gradual resumption of clinker and cement production,
– Continued importation of clinker to maintain market share,
– Control of production and distribution costs,
– Ongoing activity in unloading petroleum coke,
And the establishment of a calm social climate as a guarantee of internal stability.
If these measures bear fruit, the company could begin a slow exit from the crisis while awaiting the full resumption of production and a return to sustainable financial health.
