While visiting the PhosAgro Company in Cherepovets, the Prime Minister was told about the construction of a new carbamide production facility. Mr Medvedev also inspected the production control centre and spoke with workers, who, among other issues, asked the Prime Minister about the possibility of solving their housing problems.
The Prime Minister then took part in the opening ceremony of a new production facility and a gas-turbine power station.
Dmitry Medvedev’s remarks at the ceremony:
Good afternoon! The weather is crisp, winter has begun, but this will not hinder us from opening this new plant. I’d like to sincerely thank everybody for the work you’ve done. This plant is up to world standards. This is the first project in Russia to integrate industrial production and power generation in the mineral fertiliser industry. This plant is the first of its kind, and I hope it’s not the last one.
It is very important that the plant we’re opening is modern, as energy efficient as possible and really a very good agro-chemical facility, something we’ve not had in Russia until now. This new plant will create numerous useful things: most importantly it will create new jobs for Cherepovets chemists; it will create the possibility to make natural gas chemistry products without environmental damage, contribute to Russia’s national development and strengthen our food security. I hope this new plant will have other positive results.
We have entered a competitive period: we are competing on the global market of mineral fertilisers; and I am sure that this new and powerful facility will also be very helpful for this country, will strengthen the positions of our country and have a positive influence on our national economic development. I was shown around the premises and saw that state-of-the-art technology, innovative design and new materials were used in building this plant. Russian, European and Japanese experts have helped build this facility. It is good that we use the best experience; it is good that the designers of the plant have not spared any expense, because this affects the standard of work. And I hope that this new facility will pay new wages, because a new facility should pay new wages.
I’ve seen that the new production control unit, the new production system and the new carbamide unit are equipped with a high-tech control system. And this creates the need for highly skilled personnel. I have just spoken to employees; all of them say it is necessary to build housing. I absolutely support this, and I expect that the owners of the enterprise, the management of the enterprise, will invest not only in production but also in creating new jobs, and this means developing the necessary housing programmes. I know that the company plans to create an integrated natural gas chemistry facility that is the best in Europe in terms of the level of production of mineral fertilisers. These ambitious projects will hopefully determine the future of the Russian economy, and will improve working and living conditions in Cherepovets and throughout Russia.
I’d like to highlight one more important aspect. In October, I approved a plan of measures for the socioeconomic development of the Northwestern Federal District. All these measures seek to develop the district economy, to improve the efficiency of the economic zones and the infrastructure. I hope this will also have its impact. In any case, all our efforts are aimed at making life more modern and more comfortable. I hope that this new facility will create the foundations for a new, modern and comfortable life.
I am pleased that I am able to attend this very important event despite the cold weather. I congratulate, with all my heart, all those who have helped build this facility, all those who have participated in this project, all those who will work here. I congratulate you and wish you success. My best wishes to your families! All the best!
* * *
Mr Medvedeb also presided over the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PhosAgro and the Belgian company Prayon.
* * *
PhosAgro-Cherepovets was created on July 1, 2012 through the merger of the companies Ammophos and Cherepovets Nitrogen. Construction of the new carbamide production facility with a capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day (500,000 tonnes per year) and a 32-megawatt gas-turbine power station cost a total of 7.6 billion roubles in capital investment.