"Polotsk-Steklovolokno" modernized production and will increase fiberglass output by 20%

JSC "Polotsk-Steklovolokno" has completed the implementation of an investment project and commissioned glass melting furnace No. 2 after reconstruction. In this regard, an increase in fiberglass production volume by 20% is expected. The project preparation was carried out by the enterprise's design and engineering department, taking into account its own scientific developments in glass melting and the operational experience of single-stage fiberglass production furnaces. The cost of the investment project was about $5.6 million. "The innovative development path involves effective cost and quality management methods, as well as technological improvement," emphasized Andrey Bunakov. "Thanks to the implementation of the investment project, 105 jobs have been created, and most importantly, labor productivity has increased."

The relevance of the project is due to the growing market demand for electrical insulating glass fabrics, the need to expand and modernize the existing production of continuous fiberglass from "E" class glass. "We made the decision to reconstruct and increase capacity because there is demand for this product. At a time when everyone is talking about a crisis, we are expanding our presence in the markets of different countries, constantly holding negotiations, and now signing contracts for next year. For example, at the end of the month, we will travel to Holland for this purpose, then to Brazil, where we will participate in an exhibition and sign contracts with Latin American countries. Following this, the USA is on our travel schedule. This is a very promising market in terms of increasing supplies; we estimate its potential at $10 million (currently around $3 million)," shared Andrey Bunakov. Electrical insulating glass fabrics are used in the production of laminated and non-laminated dielectrics, from which single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer printed boards are subsequently manufactured.

boards. Electrical insulating fabric-based materials possess high mechanical and electrical insulating properties, strength, and stability. They outperform all organic fiber materials and can be operated in conditions of high humidity and high temperature. Thin electrical insulating fabrics are used for the production of flexible insulation (glass-varnished fabrics, micanites, mica plastics, mica sheets), which are widely used in the energy sector.
The Polotsk enterprise continuously improves technologies and masters new types of products. In 2016, industrial production of continuous basalt fiber and products made from it began. A significant part of the developments is created by the enterprise's own scientific and technical departments. The share of innovative products in the total production volume is 30.3%. The Polotsk Fiberglass Plant was founded in 1958, and since 2003 it has been OJSC "Polotsk-Steкловолокно".

It is the only producer of fiberglass and fiberglass-based materials in Belarus and one of the leading producers in Europe. The annual turnover is around $100 million, and the number of employees is over 4,000. The product range includes over 900 types of products. The materials produced based on fiberglass are high-tech and are widely used in many industries. More than 90% of the manufactured products are exported, with electrical insulating fabric accounting for 100% of exports. The geography of supplies covers 55 countries worldwide, located on five continents.

Alena Tikhonova - BELTA.