In Russia and many CIS countries, the demand for AAC is continually increasing. Especially since one can encounter numerous synergy effects and interconnections between AAC and the concrete industry not only in machine and equipment development for its production, but also, for example, in terms of design and planning of buildings, it is only logical for AAC to form an intrinsic part of ICCX Russia, the presumably most important and biggest conference and tradeshow of the concrete industry for the Russian Federation and the CIS countries. After its successful launch in 2019, the programme once again included a session of speeches pertaining to AAC production and application. The trade journal “AAC Worldwide“ and NAAG (Natsionalnaya Assotsiatsiya Proizvoditeley Avtoglavnogo Gazobetona), the Russian AAC association, together acted as co-organizers of the programme of speeches that were delivered this time in the master conference hall of Hotel Park Inn Pulkovskaya.

AAC still going strong

The session was started by Alexey Semyonov, CEO of GS-Expert, a company specializing on market research in the field of the construction and construction materials industry. In his speech, Semyonov addressed the current situation of this sector and possible future developments of the market for small-format wall construction materials in Russia. As the expert pointed out, there has been a trend away from conventional brick construction in the area of residential buildings for some years. One winner of this trend, especially when it comes to small-format wall construction materials, are AAC blocks. In the past seven years, AAC blocks were able to continually increase their market share, compared to masonry and sand-lime bricks, by a total of 11 % to a forecast 44.6 % in the year 2020. Last, but not least, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on the global, and, for that matter, the Russian economy, Semyonov highlighted two possible scenarios for the AAC market in Russia: In the event of a positive outcome, the demand for AAC blocks will continue to increase thanks to persistent construction activities in spite of the current crisis in 2021 and 2022 to reach 30.3 million m³ and 32.5 million m³, respectively. In the case of a negative development, demand will already be slightly reduced in 2020 by 1.4 % to 28.5 million m³. 2021 will see a further decrease to 27.5 million m³, and only in 2022, demand will then slightly increase again to 28.0 million m³.

AAC designer homes for the Russian market

The continuing trend in Russia towards neat, suburban housing is something that Gleb Grinfeld and his planning office are wishing to provide. Grinfeld, who is also CEO of NAAG, the Russian Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Association, entered the stage in St. Petersburg as an entrepreneur. During the session, he introduced designer homes made of AAC that he markets under the brand “tipa.house“.

“tipa.house“ , a pun alluding to the Russian term “tipa“, derived from “tip“ and usually meaning “type“. In colloquial Russian, however, it is also used meaning “sort of“, hence the pun. This design of a home includes two series of housing named “Italy“ and “Scandinavia“, the latter, however, still in the process of development when the ICCX was held.

“Italy“ comprises six models at this time. All of them are single-storey homes with footprints ranging from 62 m² (“Siena“) to 123 m² (”Rimini“). The marketing approach is quite emotional, attributing to these homes a Mediterranean flair and, as it were, a ”hot” temperament.

Panel discussion: Marketing in times of crisis

The session of speeches was rounded off by a panel discussion on ”Marketing, sales, and distribution of AAC products in times of crisis”. Questions were addressed by Gleb Grinfeld to the CEO Russia of Xella Group, Andrey Bashkatov, and the CEO of GS-Expert, Alexey Semyonov. For about thirty minutes, these three proven experts discussed issues pertaining to the market situation in Russia and its various regions and related developments, including the chances for different AAC product segments such as blocks with different raw densities.

The fact that the Covid-19 pandemic already has its effects on the market and will continue to do so is clearly visible. The question as to whether the sector will see some profound changes in its make-up after the crisis was a highly controversial issue as well.

Comprehensive accompanying tradeshow of the suppliers’ industry

In addition to the programme of speeches, the success story of ICCX Russia still continues to be a comprehensive tradeshow of internationally leading suppliers for the concrete industry. Owing to the specific nature of this year’s event, the number of participating exhibitors was not achieved compared to previous years, however, 70 companies did present their products and services for the manufacturers of concrete, precast, and AAC, amongst them such renowned players as Hess AAC Systems, Aircrete Europe and Masa.

The next and 17th ICCX Russia will take place from 7 to 10 December 2021, again at Hotel Park Inn Pulkovskaya in St. Petersburg. Further information can be found at www.iccx.org.