It looks like soon operators of local market of dry construction mixtures (DCM) will have to get used to more clear and tough rules of the game. From 1October 2006 Ukraine introduced the state standard regulating DCM production. Producers will have two months to adapt new requirements. It is hard to say what will happen to those who “does not fit” the innovation. However, there is a hope that eventually consumers will benefit.

In recent years, the manufacturing of glass and glassware in Ukraine has been developing dynamically, internal consumption has increased, product range improved, and there has been a considerable transformation of the institutional and competitive environment.

The concept of developing the construction materials industry as a priority sector of the Ukrainian economy is confirmed by high construction rates, exceeding 20% in 2004.

Many years of experience in industrial production, skilled specialists available, vast resource of high-quality raw materials, and a large market – those are prerequisites for creating the new ceramic tile factories in Ukraine more attractive for investors.

According to analysts in the ceramic sanitary market, there is reason to believe that the annual growth of 15-20% will stay constant. Growth of sales volumes is buttressed by intensive housing construction. Furthermore, sanitary wares account for 50-60% of repair work.

Industrial manufacture of sanitary ceramics in Ukraine began in 1909 in the city of Slavuta located in the Podyllya area. Three of these early enterprises still operate today: Slavuta Integrated Works Budfarfor (Khmelynytsky oblast), Open Society Lviv Ceramic Factory (Lviv), and Dniprokeramika (Zaporizhzhya oblast).

A few years ago, high-end roofing materials became available for USD 3.50-10 per square meter. Ever since then, mass demand for these formerly elite materials has exploded.

The years 2001 and 2002 marked a breakthrough for the national producers of dry construction mixtures. The years 2003 and 2004 were the years of severe competition, the year 2005 called for reconstruction and modernization.

Ceramic tile and sanitary ware market showed positive growth in 2002-2004. The most appreciable growth both in export/import volume and domestic output was in 2004. Import volume tripled and output volume doubled. We consider the construction boom in Ukraine to be a reason for this growth. In 2005 ceramic tiles and sanitary ware market (and total Ukraine economics) showed economic stagnation tendency, or at least growth rate reduction.