HeidelbergCement began its acitivity in Ukraine in 2001, with the acquisition of a majority stake in the Kryvyi Rih Cement plant, followed by its acquisition of the Dnieprocement plant in 2002.  Both plants are located in the Dniepropetrovsk region, one of the largest industrial regions of Ukraine, southwest of Kiev.

Kryvyi Rih Cement produces cement using the modern dry process and utilizing Japanese technology.  The plant was built in 1952 and modernized in 1983.  It is equipped with a dosing block and a rotary kiln with a cyclone preheater and precalciner.  The project capacity of the rotary kiln has been increased from 125 t/h to 130 t/h. The plant specializes in producing portland cement and portland blast-furnace slag cement.

Dnieprocement was put into operation in 1934 and later underwent three reconstructions.  With two dry-method rotary kilns and three mills working in open cycles, the plant specializes in producing portland cement and portland blast-furnace slag cement.  Its cement production capacity is 600,000 tons per year.

The competitiveness of both plants is strengthened by their close proximity and unlimited access to granulated slag storage.  Slag cement produced by Kryvyi Rih has an average slag content of 35%.  At Dnieprocement, slag content is as high as 50%.

HeidelbergCement has begun a major program of investment in the plants to modernize their production, improve cost effectiveness, and implement environmental and worker safety standards.