Holcim launches biggest-ever investment in Czech Republic

ZURICH, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Holcim on Thursday said it had launched a new calcined clay production line in the Czech Republic as the Swiss building materials company steps up its production of low carbon cement.

Holcim has spent 40 million Swiss francs ($49.29 million) on the plant in Cizkovice, the largest-ever investment by the company's Czech business.

The line uses patented technology to partially replace clinker in the kiln with calcined clay, reducing the cement's carbon footprint by around 30%, Holcim said.

($1 = 0.8116 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill, Editing by Miranda Murray)