Polyplast launches first phase of high molecular weight polymer facility in Tula Region

TULA. Aug 26 (Interfax) - Polyplast Group has launched the first phase of a complex to produce high molecular weight, thermally-stable polymers at its plant in Novomoskovsk, Tula Region, the regional government's press service said.

Polyplast and the regional government signed an agreement on the implementation of the project at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June. The cost of the project is 17 billion rubles.

"The president of our country signed a decree that, among other things, sets our goals through new national projects for technological leadership, and this, in turn, is the know-how to manufacture products that are in demand throughout the whole world. And Polyplast, and this plant specifically, is an example of such technological leadership," Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov, who attended the launch, was quoted as saying in the press release.

Tula Region acting Governor Dmitry Milyayev said the chemicals sector traditionally has a leading role in the region's industry and is continuing to develop.

Polyplast chairman Alexander Shamsutdinov said the construction of the new facility is a step toward a technological breakthrough and a contribution to Russia's economic independence.

Polyplast said earlier that it planned to build two production facilities in Novomoskovsk, including production of stage-2 thermally-stable polymers. "This production of high molecular weight polymers is unique and the only one in the Russian Federation. The key feature of the project is the technology for obtaining the base of the polymer, which was developed in Polyplast's research center. The product we plan to make has a wide range of applications that was previously represented on the Russian market primarily by foreign producers. This will completely replace imported analogs and will ensure the development of export markets," company said at the time.

The company also plans to launch production of a polymer binder for thermal insulation materials. The construction of a new vertically-integrated production complex will include synthesis of the base feedstock and subsequent production of the binder. "This is a completely domestically developed technology that includes the manufacturing and delivery of equipment. Production of the feedstock will be aimed primarily at the company's internal consumption," the company said.

Polyplast specializes in producing research-intensive chemical products that it develops itself for various industries. The group has plants in Tula, Leningrad and Sverdlovsk regions.