The strategic development of the Ukrainian construction market is increasingly characterized by large-scale foreign investments and the consolidation of production assets as the nation prepares for extensive infrastructure reconstruction. Amidst this backdrop of market development, Ireland’s CRH, a global leader in building materials, has secured approval from Ukraine’s Antimonopoly Committee to acquire aerated concrete plants from the BGV Group. This transaction involves the acquisition of former Aerok assets, specifically production facilities located in Obukhiv and Berezan within the Kyiv region. These plants specialize in the production of aerated concrete blocks and currently operate under the Poriston brand. For CRH, this acquisition represents a calculated expansion aimed at building a diversified portfolio of construction materials to meet the surging domestic demand projected for the upcoming rebuilding phase.
Historical Asset Transition and Modernization
The assets involved in this transaction have undergone a significant change in ownership and operational status since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Originally owned by a Russian businessman, the Aerok company was confiscated as state revenue in June 2023 and transferred to Ukraine’s State Property Fund. In December 2024, the fund sold the enterprise to Trident Geoinvest Ukraine, a subsidiary of the BGV Group, for ₴1.9 billion. Following this transfer, the BGV Group initiated a modernization program at the Obukhiv and Berezan facilities, successfully resuming production in June 2025. While the core specialization in aerated concrete blocks was retained, the rebranding to Poriston marked a new operational era for the plants, which are now recognized as some of the largest producers of aerated concrete in the country.
Strategic Investment and Market Presence
CRH has maintained a consistent presence in the region since 1999 and has significantly accelerated its investment activities following the outbreak of full-scale war. The company has invested approximately €180 million in local projects, which includes the development of a €34 million cement terminal in the Kyiv region. This latest acquisition of aerated concrete plants follows another major transaction in September 2024, when CRH received approval to acquire the Ukrainian cement assets of Italy’s Buzzi Group—including Volyn-Cement and Pivden-Cement—for €100 million. By integrating these diverse assets, CRH expands in the Ukrainian construction market by securing control over critical supply chains for cement and specialized concrete products. These ongoing investments underscore the company’s commitment to strengthening its local production capacity and securing a dominant position in the regional materials sector ahead of large-scale national reconstruction efforts.
