Production of construction materials in 1996 declined by over 30 percent as compared with 1995. The volume of cement production dropped from over 20 million tons in 1993 to roughly 7.5 million tons in 1996. The decline in domestic production has been accompanied by an increase in the importation of foreign materials. Western European firms, particularly from Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece and Scandinavia, have a strong foothold in the market. The wallpaper market is currently dominated by firms from France, Canada, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Sweden.
European firms are also active in contract work in Ukraine.
ABB has been involved in projects ranging from nuclear power to military housing worth millions of dollars. ABB's construction subsidiary, ABB SUSA Inc., is currently engaged in constructing housing for Ukraine's 43rd Air Defense Division. At present, only a handful of U.S. companies maintain a strong presence in the Ukrainian construction industry. Often, these firms operate through their European affiliates. Notifier, a division of the Pittway Corporation, supplies fire detection and security systems through its Italian office.