Rosava’s long-established partnership with Belarussian Grodno Azot tested by war

At the end of 2021 Ukraine’s only domestic tyre manufacturer, Rosava, hailed the strength of its partnerships with neighbouring Belarussian tyre manufacturing materials suppliers. Rosava representatives said “Established partnerships are the most effective tool for achieving common goals. Thus, our partners are always welcome to visit our company.”

The Rosava team were specifically referring to a mid-November 2021 delegation from its Belarusian chemical and material supply partners at JSC Grodno Azot, and specifically that firm’s Khimvolokno Plant. The delegation was headed by Igor Lyashenko, a long-time petrochemical executive who, according to a Grodno Azot statement, was appointed Belarussian vice prime minister in 2018, a role within which he was in charge of overseeing the petrochemical industry.

With that in mind, it isn’t surprising that Lyashenko’s appointment as head of Grodno Azot was personally approved by Belarussian president Aleksandr Lukashenko in January 2021. Speaking at the time of that appointment, Lukashenko warned of the importance of petrochemical supplies (and particularly Grodno Azot’s role) in relation to Belarussian security and the state’s economy:

“It is a very important enterprise, a strategic one…We have said repeatedly that there should be no vacillation at the enterprise because if, perish the thought, anything may happen, the entire Grodno will be affected. That’s why there should be the strictest discipline. Not only technological, but also organizational. Take up for it. Let me tell you frankly: no one should have mercy or pity on for a breach of discipline there. If, God forbid, something happens, we will lose thousands of innocent people. Therefore, put things in order there.”

It was in this context that, 12 months later, Rosava representatives honoured their “time-tested cooperation” with Grodno Azot, a cooperation evidenced by “hundreds of successful contracts”. For example, the Khimvolokno plant has been supplying cord, anide and polyester fabrics for the production of Ukrainian tyres at Rosava since 2007.

The November 2021 delegation saw the Rosava and Grodno Azot representatives discuss “issues of further cooperation” relating to the pricing of cord fabrics for 2022 as well as the supply volumes of cord fabrics in 2022 and their respective quality characteristics.

Commenting on the factory visit and negotiations, company representatives said: “We appreciate such long-term cooperation, as this partnership is a significant contribution to the stable development of both companies.”

Given the depth of cooperation between Rosava and Grodno Azot there is no-doubt that it has stood the test of time. However, Rosava’s long-established partnership with its Belarussian neighbour is now also being tested by war.