In 2003, Ukraine's major producer of cement, the Baltsem plant, (Balakleia, Kharkiv region) increased its production volume by 19.1 per cent, or UAH 24.995 million, compared with 2002, up to UAH 156.154 million according to a representative of Baltsem. According to him, in 2003, the plant boosted the output of cement by 15.4 per cent or 201,000t compared with 2002, up to 1,504,200t. Meanwhile, the clinker burn volume rose by 7.6 per cent, or by 71,700t, up to 1,021,000t.