The 9th PetroCem was held at the Astoria Hotel, St Petersburg between 24-26 April 2016. Some 500 delegates listened to a comprehensive programme that included leading cement producers and analysts as well as equipment suppliers, while a 50-stand exhibition provided expert knowledge and support. By ICR Research, UK.
Mila German, conference organiser and editor of Journal Cement, opened the proceedings and remarked on how the conference had grown since its first event back in 2000 when there were just 170 guests attending.
Since then the Russian cement industry has seen a fantastic rise, but today it is facing more turbulent times. While the domestic cement industry is holding back on capacity expansions, significant projects are currently being undertaken, transforming existing capacity into modern dry-process works and reducing production costs.
Taking place in St Petersburg, PetroCem delegates were welcomed by Dr Ivan N Borisov of the Belgorod State University of Technologies. He explained that the city was one of the most stable centres of activity for the construction sector.
