On August 6, 2021 the Cemix plant for the production of dry construction mixes of the Austrian holding Lasselsberger was inaugurated in the Abzelilovsky District of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov, founder of the Lasselsberger Group Josef Lasselsberger as well as heads of federal and regional authorities and representatives of the business community attended the ceremony to launch the first phase of the plant. The President noted that the inauguration of the plant, created by one of the world's recognized leaders, is a good example of close investment cooperation between Russia and the Republic of Austria.
“I would like to thank workers, engineers, technologists – everyone, absolutely everyone who took part in the creation of the plant. I am sure that the products manufactured here will be in high demand in the Russian construction sector, which is developing efficiently and dynamically. You know that we have very big construction plans – in housing development, in road construction, as well as in industrial engineering. It is obvious that this material, which is one of the key materials in the construction complex, will be in demand. Moreover, it will completely cover the current needs of our country in such an important material as white cement. My colleagues have just told me about it in details,” underlined Vladimir Putin.
Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz sent a video address to the ceremony on the plant’s opening.
“The Lasselsberger Group is an important player not only in the Austrian, but also in the international market. The Russian market is of particular importance for Austria, because Russia is one of the most important Austrian trading partners. Therefore, I am particularly glad that thanks to the engaged work of leading Austrian enterprises, such as the Lasselsberger Group, we will be able to further strengthen our enduring economic ties,” noted Sebastian Kurz.
The inauguration of the plant in Bashkortostan, in proximity of Magnitogorsk, will really solve the problem of the lack of white cement in Russia. Indeed, until now many Russian manufacturers of dry construction mixes focused on imports from Turkey, Egypt and Iran. The inauguration of the plant in the village of Krasnaya Bashkiria will also create a point of industrial growth in the region, Josef Lasselsberger stressed out in his address:
“Over the years, we have managed not only to create a fantastic plant, but also to witness the impressive development of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Economic recovery is felt here at every turn. And I am especially glad that our company can contribute to this. But this plant, which creates many jobs, is important not only for the region. The white cement produced here plays an important role in ensuring the independence of the Russian industry. In fact, today 70% of this cement is imported. Thanks to our new plant, the entire value chain will now be located in Russia, and Russia will no longer need imports. I am particularly pleased that we can give Russia this independence, because we have received very significant support from Russia in return.”
The founder of the Lasselsberger Group also emphasized the cooperation with local authorities and the regional government, which creates a productive environment for the development of the plant. Special conditions were created for the investor in the region in order to carry out this project.
“The Austrian Lasselsberger Group is our long-standing and reliable partner. This production is already its second project in Bashkortostan. The Republic, in its turn, has been providing maximum assistance to the investor from the very beginning of the project. We gave the land plot for the plant site without bidding. The company was exempted from paying property tax for 10 years, and the income tax rate was reduced. We built an access road, helped with the communications provision, the staff recruitment and etc. Thanks to such a well-managed work and close cooperation with the investor, we were able to implement the project even earlier than planned, despite the coronavirus pandemic,” noted the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov.
The Cemix plant is included in the list of priority investment projects of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The volume of investments is already 5.7 billion rubles, but the investor Josef Lasselsberger plans to increase the volume of investments to 14 billion rubles. The project stipulates the creation of production facilities for the production of white cement with a capacity of up to 240 thousand tons per year, microcalcite with a capacity of 100 thousand tons per year, a production line and packaging of building mixes with a capacity of 100 thousand tons per year. About 220 new jobs will be created.