The majority of Russian cement plants were founded in the early years of the twentieth century. They were built quickly and were equipped with advanced equipment for their time.
Scientists and chemists struggled for a long time over the question of how to create building mixtures that, when saturated with water, would form rapidly hardening stone-like substances. Such building material should have a certain strength, quickly solidify, and at the same time its price could not be high.
After the invention of Portland cement by Joseph Aspdin in 1824, it took more than a quarter of a century to appreciate this material. The technology was based on the grinding of calcareous rocks in combination with heat treatment.
The map of Russian cement plants both at the beginning of the 20th century and today reflects geological data on the presence of chalk deposits (the so-called apoks). A logical consequence of this, and at the same time a very successful coincidence, is the fact that such raw materials are most often mined on the banks of rivers and seas. Therefore, in most cases, transportation of finished products by water is not a problem.
An example of how cement plants in Russia developed is the enterprises of the city of Volsk in the Saratov province. In 1897, the merchant Glukhov opened the production of building materials under the brand name "Partnership for the production of the Glukhoozersky Portland cement", for the first time applying such modern technology as firing in rotary drum kilns. During the years of Soviet power, this enterprise was called "Bolshevik". The year 1912 was marked by the emergence of another player in the building market of the Russian Empire, the Saratov Joint-Stock Company.
Russian-Swiss production of Pligin and Seifert opened in 1903. Soon, the Swiss joint-stock company Asserin launched another cement plant. Photos stored in the Museum of Local Lore of Volsk recorded for history the moment of laying production halls.
So, in less than a decade and a half, a small county town has turned into an advanced industrial center with four plants loaded with orders for one hundred percent, and sometimes more. In the spring-summer period, seasonal workers were attracted, for whom the so-called barracks were built.
The quality of Volsky cement has always been the highest. It was used during the construction of fortifications, and then during the construction of the Ostankino tower.
What is the secret to such an intense interest in cement from business people? Firstly, the availability of high-quality raw materials, which would be expensive to transport from afar. Secondly, a favorable investment climate. To conduct business in our country until 1917 was as simple as in Europe or the North American States, so the cement plants in Russia have been developing so rapidly.
What has changed since then? Unfortunately, a lot. Of the four plants, only one remained, all the same Glukhoozersky "Bolshevik". Of course, the sources of raw materials are partially developed, but it will last for hundreds of years. Volga in place. It cannot be argued that the sale of such an important building material has declined. With personnel, including the highest qualifications, there are still no problems. So what is needed to restore the best cement plants in Russia?