ANHUI Conch Cement Co, China's biggest maker of cement, plans to spend 46 billion yuan (US$7 billion) to expand capacity and meet demand for factories, real estate and other fixed assets.

The investment will be spread over the next three years, Executive Director Guo Jingbin told reporters in Hong Kong yesterday. Some of the money will be spent on adding energy-saving capabilities at its factories, he said. Conch is adding new production lines.