The firm, which claims to be an environment-friendly brick-maker, is making an investment of Rs 90 crore on the plant in Kunigal, on the outskirts of Bangalore.
The company, which is also European Union's second largest roof tiles maker, entered Bangalore and marked its entry into India and Asia. The Rs 90 crore investment will have debt and equity component.
Wienerberger expects the plant, spread over 30 acres, to start commercially producing bricks in the last quarter of 2008. The plant, according to the company, will produce 100,000 tonnes per annum in phase I.
The firm expects to double its capacity subsequently. The firm claims to use only eco-friendly building materials. It shall use the clay obtained from desilting of three tanks in the Kunigal region as opposed to the traditional technique of clay mining followed by most brick-makers.
The firm makes load-bearing clay hollow blocks, and is looking at the housing sector. It will import facing bricks branded Terca, roof tiles branded Koramic and facade tiles branded Argeton which are imported from plants in Belgium, France, Germany and The Netherlands.
"We are looking for further growth opportunities in India," said Ingo Hofmaier, MD, Wienerberger.
Wienerberger with its 263 plants spread over 26 countries, had been waiting on the sidelines of the Indian market before entering it.
With the government allowing FDI in the brick-making sector, which had been reserved for the SME sector, the firm decided to enter India. Since the opening of the market, many global firms involved in the construction sector have been investing in the country.
