Gypsum producer Atlas prepares zl. 130 million for battle with Lafarge

On September 6, Lodz-based gypsum production company Atlas is to open a new processing plant near Kielce in central Poland at a cost of zl. 54 million. As a consequence, in a few months, Atlas will start production of plasterboard thus entering a new market, which is bad news for the current dominant plasterboard producer, French-based Lafarge. Unofficially, the two companies agreed not to oppose each other, but the new market holds too great a prospect for Atlas. The total amount Atlas plans to invest in the arena this year alone is zl. 130 million. "We hope that in the longer perspective the plasterboard market will become very attractive. They are used in Poland 2-5 times less than in Western European countries," stresses Atlas spokesperson Aleksandra Paprocka. Until now, Atlas and Lafarge have been partners - several years ago they bought gypsum producer Zaklady Przemyslu Gipsowego Dolina Nidy and now both of them exploit gypsum resources. Atlas' plasterboard production plant, to be opened in April 2003, will be situated near Lodz. Lafarge holds a 35% share in the plasterboard market and currently plans to open its own new production plant in the fall. (Puls Biznesu, p. 5), M.T.