Vitebsk Oil Extraction Plant has begun the construction of a drying and elevator complex with a capacity of 20 thousand tons

March 3, Minsk / Tamara Dovgalyuk - BELTA/. The Vitebsk Oil Extraction Plant has begun construction of a drying and elevator complex with a capacity of 20 thousand tons. This was announced today to journalists by the deputy director for economics and finance of the enterprise, Natalia Leonova, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. The enterprise has developed an investment program for 2010, which provides not only for the construction of this complex but also for the commissioning of its own boiler house, which will significantly reduce energy costs. Further modernization of the preparatory department is also planned. "This will improve the quality of finished products and increase their volume," noted Natalia Leonova. In 2009, equipment for cleaning oilseeds at the elevator was put into operation, and the equipment of the preparatory and filtration department was partially updated. The investment volume amounted to Br5.3 billion. According to Natalia Leonova, the modernization allowed the enterprise to increase its export share to 80% of production volume last year, which amounted to $26.5 million. The geography of supplies has also noticeably expanded. It includes not only the Baltic countries but also Germany, Poland, and Ukraine. "Today, rapeseed oil is in demand both in domestic and foreign markets. Its popularity in the world is constantly growing," she added. In total, in 2009, the Vitebsk OEP processed more than 66 thousand tons of rapeseed and produced about 28 thousand tons of oil, which is 130.4% compared to 2008. The enterprise was founded in 1931. Currently, OJSC "Vitebsk Oil Extraction Plant" is one of the largest enterprises in Belarus specializing in the production of unrefined vegetable oil, including rapeseed oil for food and technical purposes. It accounts for about 30% of the volume of unrefined oils produced in Belarus. The plant also produces rapeseed meal. In 2008, a new oil extraction workshop was commissioned, equipped with modern European equipment with a processing capacity of oil-bearing raw materials of 300 tons per day. The technological process management is fully automated. The enterprise has implemented a certified quality management system in accordance with the requirements of STB ISO 9001.