02-06-2014

Topsoe lays foundation for first ever integrated methanol and ammonia plant in Russia

On May 20, a foundation stone laying ceremony was held at the construction site of a new methanol ammonia co-production plant for the petrochemical company Shchekinoazot - one of the largest producers of chemicals in Russia. The new plant, which is located in the Tula region of Russia, will be the first ever in the world using Haldor Topsoe’s IMAP (Integrated Methanol and Ammonia Production) technology.

IMAP is a technology that takes cost advantage from large production facilities and provides the option of making multiple products at a relatively smaller scale to meet market demands.

The capacity of the plant will be 1350 Metric Ton Per Day (MTPD) of methanol and 415 MTPD of ammonia. Basic design is scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2014, and start-up is planned for 2017.

Topsoe’s late founder, Dr. Haldor Topsøe, began cooperation with Shchekinoazot in 2007, and since then the company has successfully been operating methanol and hydrogen plants designed and built using Topsoe’s technology, equipment, and catalysts. “Design and construction of the new unit is the next step in the cooperation between our companies,” said Boris Sokol, President of OAO Shchekinoazot, in a speech delivered at the ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation as well as members of the Tula Region Government, owners and CEO’s of Russian and international partner companies, executives of major Russian banks, insurance companies, and top managers of the Shchekinoazot company group.

The participants paid tribute to Dr. Haldor Topsøe, who passed away on May 20 last year, and Mr. Sokol emphasized that the day was indeed special and symbolic. Furthermore, he underlined that Haldor Topsøe was not only a great scientist and a talented businessman, but also an idealist and a great humanist, who was interested in solving key global issues.

In this spirit, charity plays a leading role in the cooperation between the companies. In fact the three families; the Topsoe’s, the Sokol’s, and the family of famous Russian writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy have made a mutual agreement to contribute to the social development of the Shchekino district. Therefore, Mr. Sokol used the ceremony to announce news about the Charitable Foundation created by the three families that later this summer will begin working on executing projects aimed at supporting children in the Shchekino district. The Shchekino district, which is located in the Tula region around 200 kilometers south of Moscow, is home to the production side, and is, furthermore, not situated far from the town in which Leo Tolstoy was born and eventually laid to rest.

The eventful day also included a business meeting between partners and potential investors.

Jens Perregaard, General Director of ZAO Haldor Topsoe in Moscow, also delivered a speech during the ceremony focusing on the philosophy and spirit of Topsoe that revolves around long-term relationships with customers. He emphasized that, in this regard, our Russian friends are an excellent example of long-term relationships based on mutual trust and respect.