14 April 2014 Chemical sector

OSTCHEM Plants Increase Production

Investments directed to the development of Dmitry Firtash’s Group DF enterprises, have allowed to significantly increasing production in the Q1 2014.

In 2013, OSTCHEM, part of Group DF, invested around UAH 179 million in modernization of Rivne Azot. As a result, the company managed to build a new and up-to-date storage facility, renovate two non-concentrated nitric acid units, as well as implement an innovative distributed control system for ammonia production.

Rivne Azot capacity upgrading allowed increasing the production of ammonia and calcium ammonium nitrate in the Q1 2014. In comparison with the same period last year, the production of liquid ammonia was increased by almost 1%. The company also increased its production of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) by 2.14%.

“The implementation of a number of investment projects at OSTCHEM’s producers allowed us to adjust their production programs. For instance, if we see an increase in the demand for calcium ammonia nitrate, we expand the output of this product,” explained Oleksandr Khalin, General Director of OSTCHEM.

In 2013, OSTCHEM invested over UAH 285 million in Concern Stirol. This allowed Concern Stirol to use the temporary suspension of production for carrying out major overhauls of all large-tonnage mineral fertilizer production shops – namely, the United Ammonia Plant, the United Urea Plant, the ammonium nitrate shop, the liquid ammonia warehouse, and the urea ammonium nitrate shop. This modernization of capacities allowed for reduction of production cost, improvement of energy consumption indicators, and reduction of production risks.

In March 2014, Concern Stirol, a part of OSTCHEM holding, increased its urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) sales by 1.7% compared to March 2013.

Crimean Soda Plant, a part of Group DF, increased its soda ash sales by 4.6% in Ukraine in Q1 2014 compared to Q1 2013. Also baking soda production launched in August 2013, with Group DF investing over UAH 60 million in this project – outperformed the sales volumes.

In January-March, 2014 the company sold 3.809 thousand tons of baking soda, which is 18% higher than it was planned.