Lafarge has officially opened its 2Mta Kaluga cement plant in Russia with a ceremony attended by First Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Shuvalov.
Located in Ferzikovo village, it is the first cement production facility in this region and is strategically located thanks to its proximity to Moscow. This plant will complement Lafarge’s presence in Russia where the group has been present for nearly 20 years.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended, among other distinguished guests, by the Kaluga Region Governor Anatoly Artamonov, the chairman and CEO of thef Lafarge Group, Bruno Lafont, and André Martin, CEO of Lafarge Russia.
The plant, built by Lafarge and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (its co-shareholder in Russia), is the cement producer's first project of such kind in the country.
"Our ambition is to contribute to building better cities by providing the best solutions for our customers. With this new state of the art plant, we will be able to provide always more quality products and services, whilst respecting the highest standards in terms of safety and environment. We will thus contribute to meet the growing needs of the Kaluga Region," noted Mr Lafont.
"We are witnessing an industrial, home, and road construction boom in the Kaluga Region. So, it is very important for us to get our first local cement production facility. This plant is the embodiment of Lafarge Group’s global expertise and innovative solutions in energy efficiency and health and safety," emphasised Anatoly Artamonov, Governor of the Kaluga Region
The Ferzikovo facility is a dry-process cement plant. The use of alternative fuels is expected to reach up to 45 per cent by 2020.
To respond to market requirements, Lafarge will propose a diverse range of products. Today the plant's product portfolio comprises CEM I 42.5 B (bulk and bagged) and CEM I 42.5 N (bulk). In 2015, it is intended to start the production of a new cement type, CEM II 42.,5 with additives.
Today, the facility employs over 200 people, most of which are the residents of the Kaluga Region.
Even before the plant’s construction started in 2011, Lafarge Russia became actively involved in addressing the Kaluga Region’s social and economic issues. The Group allocated RUB 545m to help renovate and construct roads in the Ferzikovo District. Lafarge Russia has also been running programs to support educational establishments and elderly people, providing sponsorship for the district-level sports competitions, and leading voluntary projects. The plant pays special attention to the environmental programs and supports a biodiversity conservation program for Ferzikovo district.
