Trial Production Commences in Tartous
The Syrian General Company for Cement Industry and Building Materials, known by its Arabic abbreviation Emran, launched trial production at its Tartous cement factory on 20 April 2026. The milestone came after workers and contractors completed preparatory work across multiple sections of the plant, clearing the way for initial output under the terms of an investment agreement concluded in March 2026. The counterpart to that agreement is QZ Company, a UAE-based firm that took on management of the facility.
UAE Firm Brings Technicians and Training
Under the partnership, QZ Company brought in expert technicians to work alongside Emran staff and introduced structured training programs for the existing factory workforce, according to Bassam Ali, director of Emran’s coastal region branch. The trial run is limited to operating a single production mill. Ahmed Salmy, project manager for QZ Company, said the company is applying competitive market standards throughout this initial phase.
Target: Over One Million Tons Annually
Once the factory reaches full operational capacity, it is projected to produce more than one million tons of cement (SYP) per year, earmarked for the domestic Syrian market. The current workforce stands at approximately 500 employees. When full-scale production is under way, total staffing is planned to reach around 1,000 workers — nearly double the present headcount.
Environmental Standards Replace Past Pollution
Before the March 2026 agreement took effect, the Tartous plant had been a source of environmental pollution. The investment deal sets international environmental standards as a binding obligation on QZ Company’s operations. The Emran branch director confirmed that these requirements apply from the trial phase onward and will remain in force for the full duration of the investment period.
Modernization Work Planned for Later Phase
In parallel with the trial run, engineering teams are conducting studies to determine the upgrades needed for the factory’s equipment and furnaces. Specialized foreign contractors are expected to carry out the modernization work in a subsequent stage of the project. The scope and timeline for that phase have not been publicly disclosed, but the Emran branch director indicated that planning is advancing.