The first major event of 2026 for Zaporizhzhia Abrasive Plant (ZAK) was a strategic meeting with partners, dealers, and distributors to align on market rules, cooperation terms, and a shared vision for the industry. The meeting brought together Abrasive Center, VAM Plus, Instrument South, and Kyiv Abrasive Plant — key players in the Ukrainian abrasive tools market.

The goal was to build a transparent, predictable, and mutually beneficial cooperation model for 2026 and to agree on a common position for developing the Ukrainian abrasive industry amid tough competition from Chinese imports.

Oleksandr Kozeratskyi, Acting Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC “Zaporizhzhia Abrasive Plant,” emphasized that the industry is on the verge of fundamental change, with clear rules for the Ukrainian market, transparent pricing, and a focus on long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation.
“Our common enemy is cheap Chinese tools with unstable quality. If we want to stay competitive in Ukraine and enter the EU market, we should unite around today’s challenges, expand our product range, and strengthen our positions together,” he said.

The meeting also covered sanctions against four Chinese abrasive tool manufacturers and the expected introduction of EU anti-dumping duties on grinding materials. ZAK continues close cooperation with state authorities to prevent any circumvention of these measures. It was also announced that cooperation will be discontinued with some counterparties that violated pricing policies or lacked a strategic business approach. A balanced price adjustment is planned for 2026 to stabilize the market without shocks or volume losses.
International development was another key focus. In 2025, ZAK secured a strong position in the U.S., which already accounts for 20% of its export sales, while shipments to the EU continue to grow. Despite the war, the company enters 2026 with profitable results in grinding materials and a clear growth strategy.

ZAK also plans to move to a European cooperation model with a unified customer base, a single pricing policy, and transparent sales analytics, positioning the company as an industry analytical hub for its partners. One of the main priorities for 2026 is to strengthen ZAK’s presence in retail and restore trust in the brand as a producer of high-quality professional tools.
“In 2026, we will be able to produce wheels that are no worse than those of leading global brands. We know how to do it — and we are already on this path,” Kozeratskyi noted.
Dealers welcomed the new approach, confirmed their readiness to work under unified rules, and emphasized the importance of clear price boundaries, equal conditions for all, and transparent market governance as the basis for sustainable growth together.