Ukraine: Ukrcement, the Ukrainian cement association, expects cement production to drop by 7% in 2013, a decrease of up to 684,000t, compared to a production of up to 9.28Mt in 2012. In an interview with Ukranian News, executive director of the association Petro Lopatiyev attributed the slowdown in production to an 'unfavourable' situation in the construction market.

According to the association, in 2012 cement production fell by 7% compared to a production of 9.77Mt in 2011. Clinker production fell by 16% to 6.28Mt. Exports of cement from Ukraine fell by 5.2% or 8964t to 164,548t in 2012, compared with 2011.

In 2012, imports comprised 1% of the market with a volume of 94,516t. However, Ukrcement fears that cement may be dumped in the Ukranian market from the neighbouring territory Transdniestria. The breakaway Moldovan territory has a stagnant constuction market and a lower cost of cement production than Ukraine. The association wants the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to hold an anti-dumping investigation.

In other developments Ukrcement has called for a switch to European standards of cement production from 2014. At present, Ukraine has two cement production standards: the Ukrainian one called ДСТУ Б В.2.7-46:2010 and one identical to a European standard called ДСТУ Б EN 197-1:2008.

The Ukrcement association was created in 2004 during a reorganisation of the Ukrainian cement industry. There are over 15 enterprises engaged in cement production with a total production capacity of over 20Mt/yr.