Russia's Eurocement Group has announced plans to launch white cement production at its Zhigulyovsk Building Materials plant in Samara Region.

"Today, the demand for white cements in Russia is largely satisfied with shipments from abroad. The launch of production at our enterprise is an important step in import substitution. The plant in the Samara region will produce about 300,000tpa of white cement, which will allow consumers to reduce costs. At the same time, customers will get cement with excellent strength and whiteness as from the best global manufacturers. Localisation of white cement production in Russia will in fact create a new market with growing demand here," said Mikhail Skorokhod, president of Eurocement Group.

The company began upgrading the plant in 2015, with DAL Teknik contracted to modernise its rotary kiln. Total investment in the project will amount to over RUB1bn (US$14.9m), according to a press release.

"With serious experience and expertise, DAL Teknik will upgrade the kiln at the Zhigulyovsk Building Materials plant, which, together with the unique raw material base of the plant, will allow to produce white cement that meets the highest requirements for strength, quality and aesthetic characteristics of products," said Cevdet Dal, chairperson, DAL Teknik.

Final products will be shipped by road, rail and water transport. Materials will be available in 1000kg big-bags, 50kg bags and 25kg pallets. Shipments will begin in the summer of 2019.