"Vitneftechim" Subprogram: Innovative Products for Domestic Use and Export

Today, the development of the chemical and petrochemical industry is receiving close attention. This is understandable, as the functioning of the fuel and energy complex, which occupies an important place in the economy of our region and is a powerful base for the operation of all other sectors, depends on this industry. This is especially relevant in the context of rising energy prices and consumption volumes. In order to expand and update the product range, and to increase the competitiveness and quality of manufactured goods by petrochemical enterprises, the subprogram "Vitneftekhim" was developed in 2011. Who is involved in its implementation, what has been done to date, and what are the prospects?

The resource capabilities of the petrochemical complex enterprises in the Vitebsk region currently allow for the production of a diverse range of products. Goods are sold to Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic states, as well as to far-abroad countries. These are mainly power cables of various voltages, film, packaging bags, household goods, windows, polyethylene pipe products, and more. This has largely become possible thanks to the implementation of the "Vitneftekhim" subprogram. Since 2011, 100 billion rubles have been allocated for its execution.

– These include, for example, investment and innovation projects such as the organization of production of modern and promising lubricating oils, containers for the petrochemical and food industries, food barrier multilayer film with printing, corrugated drainage pipes, – explains Zhanna Sharando, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of Economy of the Regional Executive Committee – Head of the Industry Department. – Considerable funds have also been spent on equipment renewal.

The implementation of the plan and the achievement of good results would have been impossible without modernization. After all, only then can we talk about creating an innovative product.
Thus, SOOO "BelTitan" organized the production of food barrier multilayer film with printing. 5.8 thousand tons of such products worth 80.6 billion rubles were produced, and exports amounted to 509.7 thousand dollars. In addition, the new production created 142 additional jobs.

One of the leading enterprises for polymer products, OAO "Invet" (Bigosovo, Verkhnedvinsk district), has commissioned a line for the production of corrugated drainage pipes. This product has helped many economic entities, especially in the reclamation industry, to abandon imported supplies and save costs.

– During the operation of the line, i.e., since May 2012, we have produced over 700 kilometers of pipes. Our main task is to supply Vitebsk region with this product. But we are also trying to enter the foreign market. Recently, small volumes were sent to Moscow and St. Petersburg, – noted Sergey Gromadko, General Director of OAO "Invet".

OOO "PO "Energokomplekt" was tasked with producing halogen-free flame-retardant power cable, which will be used at strategic large enterprises of the country to ensure safety. As a result, the first batches of the new product have been released. As explained by Lyutsyan Zhilinsky, Development Director of "Energokomplekt", the production process is currently actively underway, and two acquired Finnish lines will allow for the production of such cables in large volumes.

Modernization also affected SOOO "Soyuz-Kabel". Equipment for the production of steel-taped armored cable, as well as for rewinding steel wire, has been purchased and installed. This increased the production volume in physical terms by 37 percent compared to the 2011 level.
The implementation of the SOOO "LLK-Naftan" project for the production of additives, ensuring the output of modern and promising lubricating oils, continues. New equipment for additive purification and a methanol storage unit have been introduced. Currently, the reconstruction of the reactor unit of workshop No. 3 and the laboratory is underway.

– In total, according to the results of 2012, the enterprises of the petrochemical complex included in the subprogram produced industrial products worth 1.3 trillion rubles, or 158.1 percent compared to the previous year, – Zhanna Sharando summarized. As we can see, not only state-owned enterprises, but also private enterprises are involved in the implementation of "Vitneftekhim", and they are also interested in the success and stability of the region. Another important area of the industry's operation is not overlooked: reducing energy intensity and increasing energy efficiency, which should be key in organizing the technological process.

Within the framework of the "Vitneftekhim" subprogram in 2013-2015, the implementation of investment projects at SOOO "BelTitan", production modernization at SOOO "LLK-Naftan", OJSC "Invettekh", and OOO "PO "Energokomplekt" will continue. Accordingly, along with production volumes and the development of new types of products, exports should also grow. However, Vitebsk enterprises are already widely known to foreign consumers, as the main share of manufactured chemical and petrochemical products goes abroad. Moreover, some types of these products currently have no analogues.
 
"VR".