Knauf looks to launch Irkutsk-region building materials plant in Sept
KRASNODAR. Feb 25 (Interfax) - German construction materials giant Knauf plans to launch a construction materials company in the Irkutsk region this September, the Knauf group for the CIS's director for economics and finances, Juergen Leopold Weiss, told Interfax.
"This will be our biggest enterprise in Russia. This enterprise will produce not only gypsum board, but also dry blends," Weiss said. Investment in this project is around 100 million euros, he said.
Construction began in July of 2007. Knauf planned to launch the plant in 2009, but that was pushed back until late 2010 or early 2011. The facility will be able to produce 60 million m2 of gypsum board per year.
Knauf also wants to bid for supply contracts for building facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
"We are counting on supplying mainly new product for the Olympic buildings, including aquapanels, products based on cement, and also fire and waterproof materials," Weiss said.
Knauf is one of the world's biggest construction materials producers, with upwards of 120 plants in over 30 countries.