FEATURES OF STONE-PROCESSING INDUSTRY ORGANIZATION IN RUSSIA AND THE UAE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MATERIALS, STANDARDS AND APPROACHES

ABSTRACT

The article is devoted to a comparative analysis of the organizational features of the stone-processing industry in Russia and the United Arab Emirates, considering both technical and economic-managerial factors. The study compares the raw material base, technological processes, standardization systems, and models of international cooperation between the two countries. It is shown that Russia retains an advantage in resource availability and technological diversity, while the UAE demonstrates a high degree of integration and efficiency through import-oriented and innovation-driven management. The research identifies potential directions for harmonization and prospects for joint industrial projects at the intercountry level.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Статья посвящена сравнительному анализу особенностей организации камнеобрабатывающего производства в России и Объединенных Арабских Эмиратах с позиций технических и экономико-управленческих факторов. Сопоставлены материально-сырьевая база, технологические процессы, системы стандартов и модели взаимодействия стран с международными партнерами. Показано, что Россия сохраняет преимущество в ресурсной обеспеченности и технологическом разнообразии, в то время как ОАЭ отличает высокая степень интеграции и эффективности за счет импорта и инновационного управления. Выявлены направления гармонизации и перспективы развития совместных производственных проектов на межстрановом уровне.

Keywords: stone-processing industry in Russia, stone-processing production in the UAE, comparative analysis of standards, natural stone processing technologies, international industrial cooperation, materials and raw resources for stone processing, organization of building materials production.

Ключевые слова: камнеобрабатывающая промышленность России, камнеобрабатывающее производство ОАЭ, сравнительный анализ стандартов, технологии обработки природного камня, международное производственное сотрудничество, материалы и сырье камнеобработки, организация производства строительных материалов.

Introduction. In recent years, trade and investment cooperation between the Russian Federation and the United Arab Emirates has undergone significant expansion. At international forums, discussions increasingly address the organization of joint activities, including the production of raw materials for the construction industry. Specifying the above in terms of the stone-processing sector, it should be noted that, due to active residential and infrastructure construction in both the Middle East and Eurasia, demand for natural stone has been rising annually. According to recent studies, the global decorative stone market develops under the influence of growth in civil construction in developing countries, the implementation of innovative extraction and processing technologies, and the improvement and unification of standards. At the same time, it is recognized that intergovernmental specialization in production and supply is intensifying; global standards and a developed infrastructure for international trade are being formed, collectively contributing to the globalization of the industry [1].

The aim of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the stone-processing industry in the two countries.

Research methodology. The theoretical basis of the study consisted of open sources—scientific articles by authors addressing the topic of the study or related areas, statistical data, and analytical reports. These sources were systematized, and a theoretical analysis, synthesis, and generalization were carried out, through which the results of the comparative analysis were formed.

Results and discussion. The functioning of the stone-processing industry is based on its development concepts, which require a separate presentation considering the differences between the Russian Federation and the UAE. Russia occupies a leading position in the world in terms of natural facing stone reserves. The total explored reserves of categories A+B+C1+C2 as of January 1, 2020, amounted to 1,690 million m³, of which 915 million m³ are ready for industrial exploitation. In Russia, 431 decorative stone deposits are registered, of which 385 deposits are suitable for block extraction, 16 for crushed stone production, 6 for slab extraction, and 124 are combined-type deposits. Geographically, the majority of the reserves are located on the East European and Siberian platforms, in the Ural mountain range, and on the Baltic Shield [1].

The number of operating enterprises is formed by large integrated structures that carry out quarrying, processing, and direct sales. For example, the MGK-Holding association includes 28 enterprises, among which are three large processing plants and several quarries in the Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, and Saratov regions, as well as in the Republic of Karelia [2]. The choice of a holding structure is explained by the fact that it provides access to financing, a centralized sales policy, and expanded overall export capabilities, enabling competition in both domestic and international markets. As of 2023, Russia had approximately 200 large and medium-sized factories and about 50 block-quarrying sites [3].

Stone production in Russia is characterized by a high volume of extraction of granitoid and gabbroid rocks. In 2019, 702 thousand m³ of granitoid rocks and 1,044 thousand m³ of gabbroid rocks were extracted, along with 249 thousand m³ of marble and limestone, 35 thousand m³ of serpentinites, 9 thousand m³ of shales, and 5 thousand m³ of tuffs. The low yield of commercial blocks is due to complex geological conditions and the limited capabilities of domestic technologies. The average block yield coefficient at granite deposits is 27.3%, and at marble deposits 22.7%. The actual annual production of commercial block stone is estimated at 1.23 million m³, which accounts for approximately 1.1% of global production. The main extraction regions are the Northwest, the Urals, the Volga region, and the Far East, where the majority of granite quarries are located; marble is predominantly extracted in the Urals (about 170 thousand m³ in 2019), and to a lesser extent in the Krasnodar Territory, Crimea, Karelia, Altai, and Western Siberia.

The technological infrastructure of the Russian stone-processing industry consists of imported equipment (band and wire saws, CNC machines, diamond wire systems). Both innovative and traditional extraction methods are employed, including dynamic splitting (“smoky” explosive “Granilen”), gas expansion techniques, and drill-and-blast operations. Nevertheless, the main challenge remains the wear of the technological base and limited access to capital, which directly affects industry modernization. The economic efficiency of Russian enterprises is influenced by government support (municipal orders, grants), while competition is intensified by importers.

In the UAE, the stone-processing industry operates differently. The country possesses substantial reserves of limestone and hard rocks; however, these resources are primarily used for the production of crushed stone and cement. The existing stone-mining sector (over 100 quarries, of which 70–80 are active) is located in the Hajar Mountains and produces crushed stone for the domestic construction market. Decorative stone extraction in the country is virtually nonexistent; domestic market needs are met through imports. For example, in 2008, 217,836 tons of natural stone products (mainly marble and granite) were imported, amounting to over USD 42 million. The main suppliers are India, Saudi Arabia, Spain, China, Oman, Italy, Iran, Turkey, Greece, and Pakistan [4].

It should be noted that the continuously growing real estate market in the UAE drives increased demand for high-quality finishing materials. The countries of the Persian Gulf consume up to 20% of the global facing stone market; 80% of the stone is used in urban construction [5]. The volume of the regional building stone market is estimated at approximately USD 5 billion in 2024, with overall growth expected to remain within 2–3% annually (Fig. 1):

Figure 1. Volume of the regional building stone market (Middle East), in value and physical terms, forecast for 2025–2035 [6]

Despite the presence of high-quality limestones, dolomites, and gabbros, local resources are utilized only to a limited extent. Thirty-one sites have been identified as potentially suitable for decorative stone extraction; the main rock types are limestones of the Musandam 2 and Dera formations, as well as gabbro in the territory of the Emirate of Fujairah. To stimulate the use of local resources, it is recommended to create demonstration samples and attract investors. There are also high-grade limestone deposits (65 deposits) and dolomite deposits (6 deposits), which are currently used in low-grade aggregates but could be employed for the production of mineral fillers, glass, and other products [5].

Regulatory and technical support in the UAE is organized differently than in the Russian Federation; the country is governed by the federal organization ESMA, which in 2008 signed a memorandum of understanding with ASTM—this facilitated the adoption of 12,000 international standards and allowed them to be recognized as national standards. Consequently, ASTM standards such as C97, C99, C170, and others are applied for testing the strength, water absorption, and density of natural stone, as well as European standards EN 1469, 12057, and 12058. The standards do not impose strict requirements on the extracted stone but regulate the properties of the finished products; quality is controlled by independent testing laboratories [7].

Thus, clear differences are also evident in the materials used (Table 1). In Russia, granitoid and gabbroid rocks, as well as marble and limestone, dominate. Their total annual extraction exceeds one million cubic meters, which allows for meeting domestic demand and actively exporting products. Serpentinites, quartzitic shales, tuffs, sandstones, and gneisses are also widely used in the industry; deposits are distributed throughout the country. In contrast, in the UAE, the main natural resource is limestone—currently used for crushed stone, although there is potential for the development of facing stone production. For this reason, the UAE relies on imports; in Russia, only limited exclusive stones are imported (for example, Turkish travertine).

Table 1.

Comparative analysis of the main materials used in the stone-processing industry in Russia and the UAE

It is recognized that the presence of a wide range of local rock types in Russia allows for the formation of a sufficient raw material base for the domestic market and exports. On the other hand, complex geological conditions and low commercial block yield coefficients lead to resource utilization with high losses, as a large proportion of the extracted volume becomes waste (crushed stone). Insufficient implementation of waste processing technologies and their conversion into products (e.g., agglomerate blocks) is considered a “weak” point of the industry [8]. In contrast, in the UAE, the geology allows for the production of high-grade limestones and dolomites; however, there is no developed infrastructure for their extraction and processing. Investments in quarry development and equipment modernization could diversify the economy and reduce dependence on imports.

It should also be noted that there are differences in standardization. Russia and the UAE implement their own standardization practices (Fig. 2):

Figure 2. Comparison of standards and technical regulations of the stone-processing industry in Russia and the UAE

Thus, in Russia, the stone-processing industry is characterized by the consolidation of production capacities, implementing a full cycle of extraction, processing, and sales with cost and quality control at all stages. The industry operates within the structure of the extractive sector and benefits from access to financing, unified sales policies, high export potential, and reduced dependence on market fluctuations [9; 10]. Large enterprises are less volatile under market conditions, modernization requires significant capital investment, and small companies often cannot withstand competition and move into the informal sector [11].

In the UAE, production organization is virtually absent; most enterprises focus on the import and processing of ready-made blocks. Consequently, the business typically operates as substructures for storage, processing (cutting and polishing), design, and installation. Often, secondary processing is carried out, including slab fabrication, calibration, defect selection, surface treatment, and similar operations. Cooperation with international partners is frequently based on a contract import model [12].

Summarizing the above, the following poles of country-specific differences can be identified, based on which a number of prospects for closer cooperation can be formulated (Fig. 3):

Figure 3. Comparative analysis of the organizational features of the stone-processing industry in Russia and the UAE

Conclusion. Thus, Russia and the UAE occupy different poles in the development of the stone-processing industry. The Russian Federation possesses a developed raw material base and extensive experience in extraction and processing but faces technological and environmental challenges. The UAE lacks significant deposits of facing stone, yet its rapidly growing construction market ensures stable demand for high-quality products and creates conditions for the establishment of processing and logistics enterprises. At the same time, there are prospective points of convergence between the two countries, on the basis of which partnerships and cooperation can be organized.

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