Omsk Carbon to start up Mogilev plant in September

Mogilev, Belarus – Russia's Omsk Carbon Group (OCG) is planning to start the first phase of its carbon black production plant in Mogilev in September.

The company announced 15 July that €95-million plant, which has been roughly two years behind schedule, would launch its first production line in September, after a short trial period.

“Until recently, we encountered some construction-specific difficulties in implementing this large-scale project,” said Leonid Laskovets, general director.

However, he noted, with the support of Belarusian authorities, the plant is ready to be launched.

Omsk Carbon had previously told ERJ that the delay in the project was in order to secure better technology for its third production site.

The plant is expected to ramp up to its maximum capacity of 200 kilotonne per annum (ktpa), but no time frame has been given.

OCG expects to deliver half of its products to Belarusian car tire manufacturer Belshina JSC, and export the remainder to Poland, Sweden, Germany, Romania and Finland.