Omsk Carbon Group to build Belarus plant

Russia’s Omsk Carbon Group intends to erect a new carbon black facility in Mogilev, Belarus. The plant will be operated by new company subsidiary IOOO Omsk Carbon Mogilev and established at a cost of around US$130 million. Output is expected to start at 80,000 tons of carbon black per annum in 2015 and reach 150,000 tons a year by 2019. More than half the plant’s production will go to local tyre maker Belshina, a further three to five per cent will be sold to other domestic consumers and the remainder exported.

“We proudly may say that we will be the first in the contemporary history of Russia who will build carbon black manufacturing plant from scratch,” stated Omsk Carbon Group president Valery Kaplunat during a presentation given to Omsk business delegation members. Giving an update on the company’s other activities, he added: “We continue modernisation of production at Omsk and Volgograd sites, where modern technologies are implemented, some of which are unique. We have a scientific centre. Out of an unprofitable enterprise we created the company with opportunities and ambitions of a global leader on carbon black production.”

The plant in Mogilev will employ around 450 workers and excess heat and electricity generated through its operation will be sold to external parties.