Azat Bikmurzin: ''We’ve already received seven payments for the construction of the olefin complex via Deutsche Bank''
All works on the ethylene complex project go according to plan. Nizhnekamskneftekhim Director General Azat Bikmurzin told journalists about it after a meeting of the company's board of directors. The enterprise's performance in 2018 was analysed and the composition of the board was updated at the meeting. Realnoe Vremya tells the details.
Sales revenue totals 188,9bn rubles
In 2018, Nizhnekamskneftekhim increased production volumes: sales revenue totalled 188,9bn rubles, which is 26,8bn rubles more compared to 2017. These numbers were made public at a meeting of the board of directors, which took place in the head office of TAIF GC under Board Chairman Ruslan Shigabutdinov. Production grew by 3,2% in comparable price with 2017. The company sold 716,000 tonnes of synthetic rubber and 717,000 tonnes of plastics.
Last year, NKNK completed the implementation of investment projects in the isoprene monomer factory: an isobutylene production plant was put into operation, and the isoprene plant was modernised. Thanks to this, the enterprise will be able to produce up to 330,000 tonnes of isoprene rubber SIR-3.
''Two new furnaces were also launched in the ethylene factory, which allowed to increase ethylene production capacity to 617,000 tonnes, and a benzene extraction plant, which is undergoing integrated testing, was put into operation. Thanks to it, the enterprise refused to purchase benzene from suppliers and is now able to produce 60,000 tonnes of benzene a year with its own plant, in the ethylene factory,'' Nizhnekamskneftekhim Director General Azat Bikmurzin explained to the journalists.
Second stage of reconstruction of biological treatment facilities
The modernisation of biological treatment facilities, where the second stage of reconstruction of the mechanical treatment unit of chemically contaminated sewage began last year, became a very important project for the enterprise. Chemically contaminated sewage containing a lot of volatile organic compounds – they evaporate and emit an unpleasant smell – go to this unit from the industrial zone. This is why biofiltration was chosen when reconstructing the BTF – it's a new technology that will not only improve the quality of sewage treatment but also reduce the impact on the atmosphere.
''This year we are concluding the second stage of the reconstruction, and it will be a considerable contribution to improving the ecological situation in Nizhnekamsk. The modernisation will allow to reduce emissions into the atmosphere to 95% in the biological treatment facilities and improve the quality of treated sewage, which is dumped into the Kama River,'' said Azat Bikmurzin.
In addition, Nizhnekamskneftekhim began construction works of a tank for chemically contaminated sewage – it's an additional branch that will link the industrial zone and the biological treatment facilities. It will allow to not only augment the capacity but also increase the safety when transporting sewage from the industrial site. Ecological indicators will improve, as the risk that sewage will end up in the soil and water bodies as well as unpleasant smells will be emitted into the atmosphere is excluded. The tank will be equipped with biofilters to purify the air.
''The works are unique – 12 km of the pipeline lay at different depths, to 18 metres. Moreover, 3,5 kilometres go under operating plants and existing communications. To lay the tank, we're using a unique method of horizontal tunnelling. We plan to complete all the works by August-September and put the facilities into operation,'' Azat Bikmurzin went on.
Olefin complex project and construction of its own power plant
The enterprise continues working on the ethylene complex's project: Nizhnekamskneftekhim signed an agreement to finance the future EP-600 at the Petersburg International Economic Forum in May. Thanks to Euler Hermes export credit agency's endorsement, five German banks chaired by Deutsche Bank AG will grant €807 million to NKNK for the project until 2032.
''It provides 85% of borrowed money, 15% are the enterprise's own money, which we paid as a payment in advance. The agreement is working, we've already received seven payments for the construction of the olefin complex via Deutsche Bank, all works of the project strictly keep to the schedule. Apart from it, we're already considering a second stage of the olefin complex – it's ethylene compounds,'' the Nizhnekamskneftekhim director general said.
In addition, NKNK received money to finance a power plant last year: at the Russian Energy Week in October, Nizhnekamskneftekhim signed another agreement with Deutsche Bank AG to take about a €240m credit to build its own 495 MW power station. A site started to be prepared last summer – the mains were diverted, the construction is planned to begin this spring.
The board of directors evaluated the enterprise's performance in 2018 in general satisfactory. There were changes in the composition of the company's board at the meeting – Alla Yevstafyeva was elected as deputy director general in economy and finance at Nizhnekamskneftekhim. Special attention at the meeting was paid to organisational issues aimed to prepare and host the annual general meeting of Nizhnekamskneftekhim PJSC shareholders, which will be in Nizhnekamsk, 23 Sobolekovo Street, event hall on 12 April 2019 at 9 a.m.