News

Six of the Company’s employees became laureates of the XIХ all Russia competition “the Engineer of the year 2018”: Eugene Melnichenko, the chief mechanical engineer of the butyl rubber plant, the chief process engineer of Butadiene and Hydrocarbon Feedstock Plant Alexey Prokofiev, deputy head of a shop of Synthetic Rubber Plant Eugene Dmitriev, deputy head of a shop of Isoprene-Monomer Plant Ruslan Vildanov and the leading process engineer of Monomers and Plastics Laboratory of R&D center Helen Tkacheva. An engineer of Polyolefins Laboratory of R&D center Nadim Shaidullin was awarded a diploma and a medal in nomination “Engineering art of the young people”. They have been honored by Deputy Director General – Chief Engineer of Nizhnekamskneftekhim Ilfat Sharifullin, who handed them the prizes. They were also granted certificates “Russian Professional Engineer” and medals.

The same certificates and medals were awarded to the winners of the first stage of the competition. Among them are Marat Gilyazev, head of a shop of the Ethylene Plant, Dzhadat Vafin, head of a shop of Styrene and Polyethers Resins Plant, Alexander Alexandrov, deputy head of a shop of the Plastics Plant, Damir Ibragimov, head of a shop of SSBR facility, Olga Olunina, deputy head of a design center department, Tatyana Gordeeva, engineer of the railway transport repair division, Sergey Stulov, the Chief engineer of Technical Control Department, Sergey Barankov, the chief foreman of Automation Center, Oleg Golikov, head of a shop of automation center.

Deputy Head of the Plastics Plant shop Nail Magazov was awarded a diploma “the Winner of the First stage of all –Russia competition” in nomination “Engineering Art of the young people”.

All-Russia competition “the Engineer of the Year” has been annually held since 2000. The main idea of this event is to attract attention to the quality of engineering human resources, making the engineering profession more attractive, encouraging of the elite among them and promotion of achievements and experience gained by the best experts in the field of industry, education and science.

The organizers of the competition are the Russian Union of research and public organizations, working in close collaboration with a number of partners.

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the largest petrochemical producers in Eastern Europe. It occupies leading positions among domestic manufacturers of synthetic rubbers, plastics and ethylene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a part of TAIF Group of Companies. The company was founded in 1967. Its principal facilities are located in Nizhnekamsk, the Republic of Tatarstan. The company’s portfolio includes more than 120 products, which are exported to 50 countries of Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Exports constitute about 50% of total output volume.

Today the Company’s conference hall was the venue of the annual General Shareholders Meeting, during which the Company’s performance in the year 2018 was summarized. The First Deputy Prime-Minister Rustam Nigmatullin took part in the meeting.

Director General Azat Bikmurzin delivered a speech, summarizing the Company’s performance in 2018. The Company continued its sustainable development, improving its business performance for the benefit of the shareholders and the employees.

Sales revenue totaled 189 billion rubles, an increase by 16% year on year. Rubber sales stood at 716 thousand tons, which is by 14 tons more compared to 2017. Plastics turnover exceeded 717 tons, an increase by 19 tons. The output of many products was unprecedented: 732 thousand tons of plastics, 221 thousand tons of butyl rubber, 223 thousand tons of benzene, 307 thousand tons of propylene, 201 thousand tons of isoprene produced from isobutene, and 107 thousand tons of isoprene produced from isopentane. Index of actual volume constituted 103.2%.       

In 2018, the Company was faced with the situation where prices for raw hydrocarbons were higher with lower prices for natural rubber, whose price defines the price for SKI. For example, the price for Brent crude oil in 2018 increased by 14% compared to the beginning of the year, while butane prices increased by 29%, with 31% of increase of propane-butane price.

SKI prices are formed based upon natural rubber prices, which tend to go down. Thus, quoted prices for natural rubber had dropped by 12% by September, 2018, while the prices for basic feedstock – methanol and isobutene- used to produce SKI, grew up by 16% and 57% respectively. Economics of isoprene rubber production in 2018 was not favorable, but despite this fact, the Company fulfilled all of its contractual obligations.

In 2018, the construction of the new isobutene dehydration unit with an annual capacity of 160 thousand tons was completed at IM plant. Two new pyrolysis heaters of SRT-VI type were put into operation at the Ethylene plant. The construction of benzene extraction unit also saw the completion.

In the reporting year, the Company mastered the production of three new grades of medium-density polyethylene, two new grades of polystyrene used for packaging applications, one grade of bimodal polypropylene and one new grade of polyether.

In April 2018 the Company and Linde AG started to engineer and develop project documentation for the new 600 kta ethylene complex. The first orders for long-lead equipment were placed.

To provide the new ethylene complex with electrical and heat energy and to increase the overall energy efficiency of the Company’s facilities, the project for construction of CCGT power plant with a capacity of 495 megawatt is being implemented. All fund-raising issues related to these projects have been successfully settled. In 2018 the Company signed EUR 1 bln. Hermes Covered Facility agreement with German banks.

The Company puts a great emphasis on the environmental protection. 61 environmental activities were implemented in 2018, with total costs constituting 1.5 bln. rubles. The implemented measures allowed to reduce the discharge of waste waters by 4.8%, atmospheric emissions - by 2.2% and nonutilizable wastes – by 25%.

The second stage of reconstruction of the biological treatment plant is near completion. The commissioning of the mechanical treatment unit is underway. The year 2019 will see the completion of the project to construct a 15 km long off-site collector for disposal of storm and waste water.

2018 annual report and annual accounting reports were approved at the General Shareholders Meeting.

The Annual Shareholders Meeting approved the distribution of the Company’s profit following the 2018 year results. 36.4 bln. rubles will be paid out in the form of dividends.

The Meeting adopted a resolution on remuneration and compensation to be paid to the Board members, including the Board Committees and Revisory Commission.

The new composition of the Board is the following:
• Azat Bikmurzin;
• Ruslan Gizatullin;
• Albert Latipov;
• Nail Maganov;
• Naim Muichich;
• Vladimir Presnyakov;
• Rinat Sabirov;
• Guzeliya Safina;
• Anand V. Subramanian;
• Ilshat Fardiev;
• Ruslan Shigabutdinov.

The new composition of the Revisory Copmmission is the following:
• Fanis Gabdulkhakov;
• Olga Ignatovskaya;
• Olga Murzakaeva;
• Liliya Sulteeva;
• Aidar Khasanshin.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit was approved to be the Company’s auditor in 2019.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim Charter was amended and supplemented during the Meeting, and the new revision of this document was approved.

The General shareholders Meeting adopted a resolution to approve a major transaction to place exchange bonds under 001P Series Exchange Bonds Program.

According to the tradition, the first meeting of the new Board took place immediately after the General Shareholders Meeting. The Board members elected Ruslan Shigabutdinov the Chariman, and confirmed the authority of Director General Azat Bikmurzin.

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the largest petrochemical producers in Eastern Europe. It occupies leading positions among domestic manufacturers of synthetic rubbers, plastics and ethylene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a part of TAIF Group of Companies. The company was founded in 1967. Its principal facilities are located in Nizhnekamsk, the Republic of Tatarstan. The company’s portfolio includes more than 120 products, which are exported to 50 countries of Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Exports constitute about 50% of total output volume.

Today, the Tatarstan First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Nigmatullin, the Chairman of the Company’s Board Ruslan Shigabutdinov, Director General Azat Bikmurzin and the head of Nizhnekamsk municipality Aidar Metshin have made a study visit to Ethylene Plant to see two new pyrolysis heaters and benzene extraction unit constructed here no so long ago under two important investment projects.

The delegation visited the site to see two new pyrolysis heaters of SRT-VI type, which were constructed as a part of Modernization and Expansion Program. The implementation of this project allowed to make the operation of the furnace block more reliable, and to reduce the atmospheric emissions of combustion gases. In total, the Plant is running now 18 pyrolysis heaters, 11 of which are in operation while the others are in stand-by mode. These two heaters are intended to replace four old heaters, as their capacity and selectivity is much higher. The Plant managed to reach ethylene capacity of 611 kta.

Next the delegation attended the ceremonial launch of the new Benzene Extraction Unit. The project was completed at the end of the previous year, and this year in March, the Unit reached the design capacity. This new facility allowed to internally optimize the processing of the benzene cut and to lessen the load on energy intensive units. The Unit will allow to increase the benzene capacity up to 265 thousand tons, and to disengage from outsourcing.

The Company uses benzene to produce ethylbenzene, styrene, which are in their turn used to produce rubbers and polystyrene. Polystyrene is used in manufacture of disposable tableware and toys, and can be used in a wide range of applications: tire industry, construction, medicine and other fields.

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the largest petrochemical producers in Eastern Europe. It occupies leading positions among domestic manufacturers of synthetic rubbers, plastics and ethylene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a part of TAIF Group of Companies. The company was founded in 1967. Its principal facilities are located in Nizhnekamsk, the Republic of Tatarstan. The company’s portfolio includes more than 120 products, which are exported to 50 countries of Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Exports constitute about 50% of total output volume.

Following the results of the 20^th specialized exhibition “Power economy. Efficient use of resources” held within the framework of Tatarstan International Forum, Nizhnekamskneftekhim was awarded two diplomas. The Forum started on April 10, 2019, in the exhibition center Kazan Expo.  

The Forum was attended by the RF Deputy Minister for Energy Anton Inutsyn and Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov. They were taken on a tour around the exhibition, which displayed the energy saving innovation exhibits represented by more than 120 Russian companies. Special interest was focused on the Company’s stand.  Director General Azat Bukmurzin spoke about achievements in the sphere of energy efficiency and about new projects implemented in this sphere, including a set of measures aimed at energy saving at the formaldehyde facility of  Isoprene Monomer Plant, in particular. The stand also displayed the model of energy efficiency equipment used in the work of turbo compressor in a shop of Butyl Rubber Plant. The head of the Company presented among others the project of automated system for repair of electrotechnical equipment. While making the presentation of the Company’s energy efficiency achievements, Azat Bikmurzin remarked, that these energy efficiency measures allowed to reduce the costs of outsourced energy, and bring down energy consumption rate per output unit. 

The Company is currently implementing the Fourth Energy Efficiency Program covering the period up to 2022. It includes 164 energy saving measures, 59 of which were implemented in 2018. The implementation of these measures allowed to save 163.5 Gcal of heat power, 5.4 mln kWh of electric power and 1,076 tons of reference fuel. The related savings amounted to RUR 179.46 mln.

The Tatarstan government session was held within the framework of this forum. During this session Nizhnekamskneftekhim was awarded a diploma and memorandum badge of the prize winner for the most significant achievement in the sphere of energy efficiency following the results of the year 2018 in nomination “Efficiency as development strategy”.  

Another outcome of the Company’s participation in the exhibition was the 1^st degree diploma awarded for Introduction of automated system for repair of electrotechnical equipment in nomination “Energy efficient technologies and equipment. Equipment providing for reduction of operational costs, reduced use of fuel and power resources, and materials, and (or) reduction of negative impact upon the environment during the life cycle”.

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the largest petrochemical producers in Eastern Europe. It occupies leading positions among domestic manufacturers of synthetic rubbers, plastics and ethylene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a part of TAIF Group of Companies. The company was founded in 1967. Its principal facilities are located in Nizhnekamsk, the Republic of Tatarstan. The company’s portfolio includes more than 120 products, which are exported to 50 countries of Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Exports constitute about 50% of total output volume.

This year the final gala-concert organized within the framework of the Annual Creative Arts Festival, was very eventful. There were more than 30 items on the program. The young performers presented lively dances, lyrical songs, touching poems and standup performances. The event took place on April 4, 2019, in Folk Arts Palace.

Director General Azat Bikmurzin welcomed the participants and draw their attention to the fact, that the festival performs an important and noble mission. It supports the young people in their artistic and creative endeavors, makes them a part of the Company’s social environment, providing the young people with the sense of unity.    

- We are happy to see the young generation take up the tradition of participation in Arts festival. We must keep in mind, that 43% of the Company’s employees are young people under 35 years of age. The festival provides the space for their personal self-fulfillment. 27 creative teams took part in the event this year. I only wish the intense vitality demonstrated by the young people, and their readiness to take up the creative impulse could result in the same extraordinary creations in future, - said Azat Bikmurzin, Director General.

The tradition to host such a festival was established by Nikolay Lemaev, the Company’s first Director General. This year it took place in connection with several important events, among which are the Year of Blue-Collar Jobs and the Year of Youth, announced in Tatarstan, and 45th World Skills Competition, which will be held this year in Kazan.

During the festival representatives of all subdivisions reached their full potential, revealing their talents and providing the young people with the sense of unity.

At the gala the winners were awarded diplomas and gifts of money. The amateur-talent group of Butyl rubber plant received the Grand Prix.   The KVN (Club of the Funny and Inventive) team of Styrene and Polyether Resin Plant became the winner of the competition between KVN teams.

This year the final gala-concert organized within the framework of the Annual Creative Arts Festival, was very eventful. There were more than 30 items on the program. The young performers presented lively dances, lyrical songs, touching poems and standup performances. The event took place on April 4, 2019, in Folk Arts Palace.

Director General Azat Bikmurzin welcomed the participants and draw their attention to the fact, that the festival performs an important and noble mission. It supports the young people in their artistic and creative endeavors, makes them a part of the Company’s social environment, providing the young people with the sense of unity.    

- We are happy to see the young generation take up the tradition of participation in Arts festival. We must keep in mind, that 43% of the Company’s employees are young people under 35 years of age. The festival provides the space for their personal self-fulfillment. 27 creative teams took part in the event this year. I only wish the intense vitality demonstrated by the young people, and their readiness to take up the creative impulse could result in the same extraordinary creations in future, - said Azat Bikmurzin, Director General.

The tradition to host such a festival was established by Nikolay Lemaev, the Company’s first Director General. This year it took place in connection with several important events, among which are the Year of Blue-Collar Jobs and the Year of Youth, announced in Tatarstan, and 45th World Skills Competition, which will be held this year in Kazan.

During the festival representatives of all subdivisions reached their full potential, revealing their talents and providing the young people with the sense of unity.

At the gala the winners were awarded diplomas and gifts of money. The amateur-talent group of Butyl rubber plant received the Grand Prix.   The KVN (Club of the Funny and Inventive) team of Styrene and Polyether Resin Plant became the winner of the competition between KVN teams.

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the largest petrochemical producers in Eastern Europe. It occupies leading positions among domestic manufacturers of synthetic rubbers, plastics and ethylene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a part of TAIF Group of Companies. The company was founded in 1967. Its principal facilities are located in Nizhnekamsk, the Republic of Tatarstan. The company’s portfolio includes more than 120 products, which are exported to 50 countries of Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Exports constitute about 50% of total output volume.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim was awarded the Grand Prix and three diplomas of a specialized exhibition held in Moscow on April 3-4, 2019 within the framework of the 17^th international forum “Russian Fuel & Energy Complex in the 21^st century. Among the participants there were representatives of state bodies, industrial enterprises, science and business.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim was among the partners of the Forum. The Company’s booth was located in the center of the exhibition area. Our specialists presented a model of energy saving equipment used in the work of the turbo-compressor in a shop of Butyl Rubber Plant. The topic of the other presentation was introduction of automated system for repair of electrically-powered equipment.

Over the years, the Company has implemented three energy Efficiency Programs. The measures implemented within their framework allowed to reduce the costs related to energy outsourcing and to cut down the consumption rate per unit of output.

The fourth Energy Efficiency Program is currently being implemented. It covers the period up to 2020. It includes 164 energy saving measures. There are plans to save 31.6 mln. kWh of electric power, 605 thousand Gcal of heat power and 25.0 thousand tons of reference fuel. The Program is annually adjusted and supplemented with new energy efficiency measures. Thus, in 2018, 59 energy efficiency measures allowed to save 163.5 Gcal of heat power, 5.4 mln. kWh of electric power and 1,076 tons of reference fuel. The savings amounted to 179.46 mln. rubles.

Following the results of the Forum, Nizhnekamskneftekhim was awarded the Grand Prix for development and introduction of Complex energy Efficiency Program for the period 2016-2020 among the petrochemical enterprises of the Russian Federation, for introduction of automated system for repair of electrically-powered equipment, and for introduction of innovations in the sphere of energy development and improving reliability of power equipment (introduction of electronic control system for turbo compressors at Butyl Rubber Plant).

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the largest petrochemical producers in Eastern Europe. It occupies leading positions among domestic manufacturers of synthetic rubbers, plastics and ethylene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a part of TAIF Group of Companies. The company was founded in 1967. Its principal facilities are located in Nizhnekamsk, the Republic of Tatarstan. The company’s portfolio includes more than 120 products, which are exported to 50 countries of Europe, America and Southeast Asia. Exports constitute about 50% of total output volume.

On April 3, 2019, a Nizhnekamskneftekhim delegation led by Director General Azat Bikmurzin took part in a working visit of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov to the Kingdom of Denmark. A number of meetings with Danish companies were held as a part of this working trip.

A Tatarstan-Denmark round table discussion took place at the Confederation of Danish Industry in Copenhagen. The Company and Haldor Topsoe A/S signed documents on further collaboration.  

According to contracts for licence and engineering services signed on January 14, 2019, Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Haldor Topsoe A/S commenced construction of a new methanol unit with a capacity of 500,000 tons per year in Nizhnekamsk. The implementation of this project is in active phase now, and it is strategically important for our company.   

Haldor Topsoe is the world leader in high-performance catalysts and proprietary technologies for the chemical and refining industries. Based on cutting-edge research and development, Haldor Topsoe helps its customers achieve optimal performance in all phases from design to daily operations – in the most responsible way. Haldor Topsoe is headquartered in Denmark and serves customers across the globe. In 2017, our revenue was approximately 760 million US dollars, and we employ some 2,100 employees.  

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the largest petrochemical producers in Eastern Europe. It occupies leading positions among domestic manufacturers of synthetic rubbers, plastics and ethylene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is a part of TAIF Group of Companies. The company was founded in 1967. Its principal facilities are located in Nizhnekamsk, the Republic of Tatarstan.  The company’s portfolio includes more than 120 products, which are exported to 50 countries of Europe, America and Southeast Asia.  Exports constitute about 50% of total output volume.

TAIF Group of Companies, employing more than 43 thousand staff, is a large manufacturing and investment company with considerable assets and production facilities, implementing flexible and high-level management. TAIF Group of Companies consists of 54 subsidiary and affiliated companies. The company’s main business areas are oil and gas processing, petrochemistry, power generation, telecommunication, construction, banking, investments and services. All the enterprises are closely interrelated in terms of economics, machinery, technologies and management.

Hereby the issue is the rubber plant BR PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim: halobutyl rubber (HBR) - chlorobutyl rubber and bromobutyl rubber, as well as food butyl rubber BR 1675P. Nizhnekamsk started the development of HBR in 2000. Experts of OJSC Yarsintez, the process designer of butyl rubber production, helped the petrochemists to achieve their old dream. The design center LLC GSI Giprokauchuk and the Russian Research Center Applied Chemistry were also involved in this project. The whole process of development program of the halobutyl rubbers production at Nizhnekamskneftekhim took less than five years.

The first Halobutyl Rubber bale was produced on March 13, 2004. And with the putting into operation the bromine production unit, the first bromobutyl rubber bale was produced on May 28, 2004.

The initial production capacity of halobutyl rubber was 30 thousand tons per year. As a result of revamping activities undertaken during 15 years, the production capacity was increasing. Annual production reached almost 150 thousand tons (maximum capacity) of Halobutyl Rubber by 2017.

Today the strategy to increase the production of these types of rubbers is in action in Nizhnekamskneftekhim. Halobutyl rubber is mainly used in the production of tubeless tires, therefore it is in a great demand. The main consumers of Nizhnekamskneftekhim rubbers are the major foreign manufacturers "Michelin", "Goodyear", "Pirelli", "Continental", "Bridgestone", "Cordiant", PJSC Nizhnekamskshina. Halobutyl rubbers are also used in mechanical-rubber and pharmaceutical industries.

The Nizhnekamskneftekhim company is one of the leaders in the production of food rubber in Russia. Several years ago, petrochemists began production of food rubber BR 1675P. It was the order of a foreign company that uses it as a glue base for chewing gum. To come in the market of production of food rubber the company implemented the Food Safety Management System with associated the FSSC 22000 Certification. Modernization of some equipment was required to ensure the compliance of production processes with high food safety requirements. The system’s readiness for certification began in 2014. A Certification Audit of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in the production, packaging, storage and marketing  according to the ISO 22000 took place at PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim in 2015.  The FSSC 22000 Certification Audit was carried out in 2016, which incorporates ISO 22000, ISO 22002-1 and five additional requirements This Certification was a part of the consumers’ requirements.

The confirmation of compliance of Certification proper was carried out during commercial production of the food grade rubber with the requirements of the Regulations on the 25-27th of March in BR Plant.  Nizhnekamskneftekhim passed the Certification Audit. Compliance was confirmed. For 3 years now from this moment the company is widely regarded as a manufacturer of food rubber and produces it at order. The company employees have received the next order on it in the middle of March. And in April 350 tons of produced food rubber will be exported to the United States consumer.

Ethylene plant of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced its 18-millionth ton of ethylene since the start-up in 1976.   

PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim Ethylene Production Plant (EP-450) still remains unique in Russia, that has no equals in our country. It was built in record time - main equipment installation took only 14 months. The first modernization of the EP-450 Complex was completed in 1981. One more reconstruction which took place in 1988-1992 allowed to increase the capacity from 450 up to 485 thousand tons of ethylene per year. In 2011 the reconstruction and modernization of Ethylene production facilities resulted in increase in capacity up to 600 thousand tons of ethylene per year. Ethylene plant of Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced its 17-millionth ton of ethylene in July, 2017

Now the annual production of ethylene amounts to 616 thousand tons.  It was the result of putting into operation of two new pyrolysis furnaces of the SRT-VI type.  The history of the plant began with furnaces of the SRT-II type, and now they are replaced by the new type Production capacity and environmental safety are not the only highlights of the new equipment. This project allowed to improve performance reliability of the furnace unit, as well as reduce the amount of flue-gas emissions into the atmosphere.

In December 2018, the plant completed the start-up operations at the benzene extraction unit, an it has already covered the production capacity by March 2019.

Ethylene is the most significant component of many productions not only of Nizhnekamskneftekhim, its products are also sent for further processing to the petrochemical facilities of the city of Kazan and Bashkortostan Republic.

Three employees of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim have been awarded with the title of "Honored Chemist of the Republic of Tatarstan”. Two more employees have been awarded with the title of “Honored Power Engineer of the Republic of Tatarstan”. Farid Mukhametshin, the Chairman of the State Council of Tatarstan, personally awarded the employees of the company at the official ceremony that was held  in the Kazan Kremlin on March 22.

Andrei Yankin, the chief engineer of the design center, Vladimir Panarin, the equipment operator of the 5th category of halogenation of the butyl rubber plant, and Valentina Kuznetsova, the equipment operator of the 5th category of the ethylene plant, have been awarded with the title of "Honored Chemist of the Republic of Tatarstan”.

Vladimir Soldatkin, an electrician of the 6th category of the management for the electrical equipment operation and repair of the II industrial zone, and Marat Shakirov, an electrician of the 6th category of the power supply management, have been awarded with the title of “Honored Power Engineer of the Republic of Tatarstan”   .

In total, 48 Tatarstan citizens were honored with government awards of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan - these are employees in the fields of mechanical engineering, petrochemistry, government, education, health care, science, culture and other industries.

Large-scale training of plant personnel and line managers of the company's divisions was organized to increase the safety level of operational facilities at PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim. During five days - on 18-22 March, Nizhnekamskneftekhim specialists studied different issues associated with safe performance of maintenance, fire and gas hazardous work, compliance with labour protection, the handling procedure of  technical documentation to start-up the equipment after maintenance, process design of equipment, power tool operations, as well as the psychological safety  issues of technological processes.

About 2.5 thousand employees of the company were trained. Nizhnekamskneftekhim employees with a great practical experience in organization of safe operation gave lectures to listeners.

The main purpose of this training is to reduce the number of violations associated with the work of third-party organizations during the period of full repairs and construction of new facilities by demands increasing from the plant personnel of Nizhnekamskneftekhim, providing procedure control.

It is a regular practice to have such trainings in the company. In 2018, 8,834 employees improved their knowledge on labor safety, transport operation and working at height. Workers took process, technical and special courses, 635 employees mastered the second profession.

Five employees of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim will take part in the representative team of Republic of Tatarstan in WorldSkills Nationall Professional Skills Championship. It will be held in the city of Kazan in May.  Young employees will demonstrate their knowledge and skills in three categories: “Manufacture of products from polymeric materials”,  “Laboratory chemical analysis” and “Welding procedures”.

In spite the National Championship will begin in more than two months, Nizhnekamskneftekhim has already begun providing assistance in preparing for this competition. Competitors improve their knowledge actively, regularly attend meetings with Nizhnekamskneftekhim specialists, who have been trained as category specialists. Regular Meeting was held on March 14 under the guidance of Rodion Bulashov, Deputy General Director for HR and Social Affairs. A number of issues associated with the preparation for the National Championship was discussed.  

Actually, that is not the first participation of Nizhnekamskneftekhim employees in WorldSkills Nationall Professional Skills Championship. In 2018, two young employees, Farkhetdinova Aizira and Alexander Ulyakashkin, represented Nizhnekamskneftekhim at the WorldSkills Hi-Tech Competition in the city of Yekaterinburg. 422 competitors for 34 categories competed for the title of the best. According to the results, Aizira Farhetdinova scored 502 points in the “Laboratory chemical analysis” Category, ranked 8th in the competition and was awarded the “Medal for Professionalism”, and Alexander Ulyakashkin was the 11th in the “Welding Procedure” Category.

Such high results are based on responsible preparation for the championship and on cooperation with the specialists on the base of the College of Petrochemistry and Refinery. Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, instructed this educational institution to be responsible for the “Manufacture of products from polymeric materials” Category and PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim allocated more than 26 million rubles for the purchase of special equipment to train the team of RT. Today, the college is a Specialized Competence Center for WorldSkills participants training and conducting qualifying stages of the championships.

Elena Tkacheva, leading engineer of Nizhnekamskneftekhim R&D center, is the winner of the Republican Contest “Woman of the Year. Man of the Year: Women's View”. She was acknowledged as the best in the nomination “My destiny is my profession”. Elena Tkacheva and dozens of other women of distinction were honored by Tatarstan leaders. Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Farid Mukhametshin, Chairman of the RT State Council, awarded the winners. The official ceremony was held on the eve of the International Women's Day in the Saidashev Big Concert Hall in Kazan.

Actually, this year 600 women bid to become the contest winner, among them glitteratis, mothers with many children, businesswomen and representatives of different professions remarkable in the various activities and education.

The nomination “My destiny is my profession” became one of the most popular among the participants. Seven women were announced the winners of this nomination. An employee of Nizhnekamskneftekhim Elena Tkacheva was also among them, she passed the regional stage of the contest in February. At the event Elena spoke about the significant role of being a leading engineer of the R&D center of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim.  

In the research laboratory of monomers and plastics, Elena works on the development of innovative products. Last year, she was honored at All-Russian competition "Engineer of the Year - 2018" in the nomination "Professional Engineers". Elena Tkacheva has been working at R&D center for almost 30 years. During this period she upgraded her qualifications to a leading engineer. Elena is a co-author of 3 patents for invention, 43 innovation proposals, 12 reports at scientific conferences and 6 publications in scientific periodical. Today, she is engaged in research and work on the scientific and technical support of large-capacity production of styrene plastics.

Regular Meeting of Nizhnekamskneftekhim Board of Directors was held on March 6, 2019 under the guidance of Ruslan Shigabutdinov, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Members of Board of Directors discussed and acknowledged the results of financial and operating performance, fulfillment of the capital investment and finance plan of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Nizhnekamskneftekhim Group for 2018.  During this financial period, the Company’s production targets were exceeded. In comparison with the results of 2017 the target was exceeded by 3,2%. 2018 sales revenue amounted to 188,9 billion rubles which is 26,8 billion higher than last year.

The Board members reviewed 2018 financial statements of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim, provisionally approved the annual report of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim and recommended them to be approved by the annual General Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on April 12, 2019 in the city of Nizhnekamsk. Members of the Board acknowledged the information related to the RAS audit report by JSC PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit and the 2018 audit report by Nizhnekamskneftekhim.

The Board of Directors took notice of information on the consolidated financial statements of the Nizhnekamskneftekhim Group for 2018 in accordance with IFRS, and information on actual tax and duties payment by PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim to the consolidated budget of the Republic of Tatarstan for 2018.

Summarizing 2018 results, the Board of Directors recommended the annual General Meeting of Shareholders of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim to allocate over RUB 36,4 billion for dividend payment, taking into account the profit for the accounting year and retained earnings of previous years, based on 19 rubles 94 kopecks per 1 ordinary and preferred share.

Moreover, Ruslan Shigabutdinov, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, noted that in accordance with the Federal Law On Joint-Stock Companies and the Company Charter of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim, the decision to pay dividends falls within the competence of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

The Board of Directors paid special attention to organizational issues associated with the preparation and holding of the annual General Meeting of Shareholders of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim. The following items were reviewed and approved: the agenda, publication articles for the company's official website, form and content of the voting ballots, the list of information provided to shareholders, and the secretariat membership of the Annual General Shareholders Meeting. The list of candidates for voting on the election to the Board of Directors of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim included: Azat Bikmurzin, Ruslan Gizzatullin, Albert Latypov, Nahil Maganov, Naim Muichich, Vladimir Presnyakov, Guzelia Safina, Anand Subramanian, Ilshat Fardiev, Ruslan  Shigabutdinov, and in the list of candidates for voting on the election to Nizhnekamskneftekhim Audit Commission: Olga Ignatovskaya, Olga Murzakaeva, Lilia Sulteeva, Aidar Khasanshin.

On the basis of a special right (“golden share”) in accordance with the order by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan No. 25 dated January 18, 2019 “On the representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in the management body of PJSC  Nizhnekamskneftekhim and order No. 52 dated January 18, 2019 "On the representatives of the Republic of Tatarstan in the audit commissions of joint-stock companies of particular importance for the economy of the Republic of Tatarstan”, appointed the representatives of the Republic of Tatarstan:

Rinat Sabirov - to the Board of Directors;

Fanis Gabdulkhakov - to the Audit Commission.

Further, a draft of amendments and additions to the Charter of Nizhnekamskneftekhim was approved and recommended for approval by the annual General Shareholders Meeting.

During the meeting, the results of a closed tender for choosing an independent auditor of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim under Russian Accounting Standards (RAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) were approved and recommended for presentation at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders as a candidate to an independent auditor of PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit (JSC PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit) for 2019.

The Board of Directors acknowledged 2018–2019 reports of Audit Committee and HR and Remuneration Committee of the Board, approved the changes in the membership of the Management Board with Alla Evstafieva elected as the Deputy Director General for Economics and Finance.

Linde Engineering Delegation (Germany) had a series of meetings in the territory of Tatarstan. They visited PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim on March 5 and discussed operating procedures and the progress of the project implementation of the New Ethylene Complex. The meeting was held at the head office of JSC TAIF in Kazan on March 6, and on March 7 Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, had a meeting with a Linde Delegation (Germany). The meeting was held at the Government House of the Republic of Tatarstan.

According to the press service of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that Linde has been a reliable partner of the republic’s petrochemical industries during two decades. Today, Linde is involved in the construction of a New Ethylene Complex in the territory of Nizhnekamskneftekhim. “This is going to be a major Ethylene production center. To date, all project are working according to the agreed schedule” - The President of RT added.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linde Engineering, a member of the Board of Directors of Linde AG, Christian Bruch, showed his appreciation to the leadership of the Republic for special attention to cooperation with the German company. Then he reported in short the progress of the project implementation of the New Ethylene Complex.

The Meeting was represented by Assistant to President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rinat Sabirov, General Director of JSC TAIF Albert Shigabutdinov, General Director of PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim Azat Bikmurzin, General Director of PJSC Kazanorgsintez Farid Minigulov.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim constructs another header. What for? How will new object help to improve the ecological indicators? Answers to these and other questions Nizhnekamsk journalists received during the press tour, organized on February 28 to the construction sites of the new off-site waste waters header (HZK-3) of Nizhnekamskneftekhim. This 15 km pipeline will allow to transfer industrial waste waters from the company's existing and future facilities to Biological Treatment Unit for further treatment. The construction of a new header is related to the active development of Nizhnekamsk industrial hub and, as a result, a high load on the existing header (HZK-2). Due to this, Nizhnekamskneftekhim Management decided to lay an additional “stream” of the header.

The new off-site waste waters header (HZK-3) of Nizhnekamskneftekhim will allow to increase the carrying capacity and safety of transportation of wastewater from the industrial area.

“Ecological indicators and safety will be improved as the risk of waste waters entering the soils and waters, as well as unpleasant odors in the atmosphere, is eliminated. Headers will be equipped with air purification biofilters” - Rustam Akhmetshin (Deputy Head of Shop No. 3406 of Water and Sewerage Lines and Waste Water Treatment Division of Nizhnekamskneftekhim) told to journalists.

The scale of this project local journalists saw by visiting the main construction areas of the header. First of all, they inspected the area where the pipeline is being laid underground - using the microtunneling method. The method does not require the excavation of traditional ditches along the entire length of the pipe route. This method is applied in areas of crossing with underground utilities, railroads and motor roads.

With the help of special equipment, pipes are laid underground at a depth of about 12 meters by horizontal drilling. “The process is difficult and is carried out 24/7,” says Vladimir Yakimovich, Project Manager of SoyuzDonStroy LLC. So, we put a pipe and take a jumbo jack. The jacking system presses the pipe, and the tunnel-boring complex installed in front of the pipe excavates the soil and with the help of water transfers it to the separation unit. Here the soil is separated from the water that returns to “the bottom”. Construction works started at the end of January. During this time, 70 meters of the pipeline were laid. In total, more than 3 km of the header will be laid in such a manner.

In parallel, the construction company is working on the construction of two chambers: rectangular and round. These chambers are needed for drilling machine to excavate the ground for pipelines laying. Along the entire length of HZK-3 there will be 66 excavation pits. At present day, 8 of them have already been constructed. And in March, another 2 drilling machines will arrive at Nizhnekamskneftekhim.

The rest 12 km of the header will be traced by surface mining. This process was demonstrated to the journalists. Works have begun on the territory close to biological treatment facilities. About one and a half kilometers have been laid here. 85 specialists are involved in the construction of this important environmental object. Object commissioning is scheduled to the end of 2019.

The cost of construction of new HZK-3 is estimated to about 1.5 billion rubles.

Oligomers and Glycols Plant of Nizhnekamskneftekhim started the new KDI-M catalyst production with capacity of 3 KTA. Its construction has been started in 2016 as part of an investment project to increase the production of isoprene rubber SKI-3 to 330 KTA. Commissioning and start-up of the plant started in late January. The first batch of catalyst was produced on February,14.

The KDI-M microspherical chromium alumina catalyst is used for the synthesis of isobutylene by the dehydrogenation of isobutane and isoamylenes by means of isopentane dehydrogenation. Nizhnekamsk KDI-M differs with its superactivity and selectivity, provides more stable output of the product.

New KDI-M catalyst production together with acting plant (capacity of the plant - 2 KTA) fully meets the need of Nizhnekamskneftekhim Divisions for dehydrogenation catalysts, without the need to purchase this product from other manufacturers.

In the course of the working visit to Munich, the delegation of TAIF JSC from the Republic of Tatarstan headed by Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, held meetings with large German companies Linde Engineering and Siemens in Munich on February 19.

The Tatarstan delegation was represented by Albert Shigabutdinov (General Director of TAIF JSC), Ruslan Gizzatullin (Deputy General Director for Energy and Information Technologies of TAIF JSC); Azat Bikmurzin (General Director of Nizhnekamskneftekhim), Timur Shigabutdinov (Deputy General Director – Commercial Director of Nizhnekamsneftekhim); Ildus Safin (Deputy General Director for Capital Construction), Roman Vasilyev (Director of new EP-600), Farid Minigulov (General Director of Kazanorgsintez PJSC). Linde Engineering was represented by Dr Christian Bruch (Chairman of the Board of Directors), and Tilman Weide and John van der Velden (Members of the Board of Directors).

The parties discussed issues related to the start of construction of New Ethylene Complex - companies entered into relevant agreement in May 2017 at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. At the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linde Engineering, Christian Bruch, handed over to Azat Bikmurzin, General Director of Nizhnekamskneftekhim certificates for students trained under the Olefin Academy Program. It was held at the company in January 2019 and gathered 100 listeners.

On the same day, a meeting between TAIF Group delegation and Siemens Management represented by Willi Meixner (Chef Executive Officer of Power and Gas Division of Siemens AG), Alexei Liberov (President of Siemens in Russia), Oleg Titov (Director of Power and Gas Division of Siemens) was held in the head office of the Siemens corporation. Siemens AG is interested in participating in projects implemented by TAIF Group. In particular, the experience and equipment of Siemens can be used in the construction and equipping of New Ethylene Complex.

Having met with the leadership of both German companies, Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, noted the successful cooperation of Linde and Siemens with the enterprises of the Republic, reports Public Affairs Office of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan.

On February 13, 2019 in Kazan the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nizhnekamskneftekhim Ruslan Shigabutdinov held a regular meeting of the Company’s Board.

The members of the Board approved the implementation status of the “Environmental Program of Nizhnekamskneftekhim for 2014-2020” and decided to continue its implementation. In 2018, 61 environmental protection measures were implemented, 1.47 billion rubles were spent. Compared to 2017, there was achieved the reduction of: gross wastewater discharge - by 4.8%, emission of pollutants into the air - by 2.2%, formation of non-recyclable waste - by 25%. The implementation of the second stage of large-scale revamp of biological treatment unit continues. Works related with construction of a new header of chemically contaminated waste waters are in progress. In 2018 compared to 2017, the concentration of iron in the purified waste waters decreased by 19%, aluminum - by 16%, sulfates - by 17%, suspended solids - by 21%, phenols - by 35%, surfactants - by 45%, formaldehyde - by 52%, methanol - by 71%.

In total, in 2014–2018, 346 environmental activities were carried out, expenses amounted to 5.04 billion rubles.

The Board of Directors took note of the information on the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Program (reliability) of Nizhnekamskneftekhim facilities until 2020 and considers it positive. In 2018, 59 energy saving measures were taken, the economic effect of which amounted to 179.5 million rubles.

Members of the Board of Directors reviewed the implementation of a Plan of activities directed on improvement in labor protection and reduction of occupational risk levels at Nizhnekamskneftekhim for 2016-2018.

Members of the Board of Directors took note of the information on the activities of the Internal Audit Division of Nizhnekamskneftekhim for 2018 and approved its Work Plan for 2019.

The Board of Directors took note of the information on the analysis of the effectiveness of investments in subsidiaries and affiliate companies of Nizhnekamskneftekhim, as well as the results of financial and economic activities of the subsidiaries of the Company in 2018.

The members of the Board of Directors took note of the information on the staffing of Nizhnekamskneftekhim, as well as information on the development program of IT systems in the Company.

The Board of Directors approved the date and venue of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders of Nizhnekamskneftekhim. It will be held on April 12, 2019, at 9.00, in the city of Nizhnekamsk (23, Sobolekovskaya street, Assembly Hall).

Nizhnekamskneftekhim was the general partner of the final stage of the V Interregional Chemical Tournament. The Tournament was held at Ural Federal University in Yekaterinburg. More than 200 pupils from 38 Russian regions participated in the Tournament.

The theme of the final stage of the Tournament was “Chemistry and Ocean”. The participants had to solve problems related to the study of the secrets of the deep-sea world, with the chemistry of water resources, marine flora and fauna. The task of the Tournament is not only to answer the questions correctly and quickly, but to show creativity and the ability to work in a team, jointly solving problems. At the end of the competition, the winner was the team “Interregional Depression Abyss”, which consisted of students from Moscow, Izhevsk and Barnaul.

Thanks to the sponsorship of Nizhnekamskneftekhim each participant of the Tournament received memorable prizes. For the successful solution of the problems developed by the specialists of Nizhnekamskneftekhim R&D Center, the winners in the individual competition were also presented with gifts.

Participation in such an event allows the company to set itself as a potential employer caring for the younger generation, going beyond the borders of his native city.