Newsprint Plant in Shklov now at design capacity

MINSK, 14 June (BelTA) – The newsprint Plant in Shklov operates now at design capacity, chairman of the Bellesbumprom concern Vladimir Shulga told BelTA. In May this year, newsprint production was 10% above the design capacity. The plant made only newsprint (about 3,700 tonnes), of which 85.5% was of the “O” grade highest quality (which is used for printing newspapers, books and magazines and other paper products with black and white and color illustrations using high-speed newspaper machines).

“The plant now operates at design capacity producing paper of designed quality parameters. All problems have been settled. Our specialists have acquired the necessary skills to work on high-speed paper machines,” Vladimir Shulga said.

“In January-May 2011 the plant produced 14,600 tonnes of paper, including about 13,600 tonnes of newsprint (93% of the total production of paper), about 10,000 tonnes (73.6%) of “O” grade high quality newsprint. Average domestic demand for this kind of paper is 2,400-2,600 tonnes per month (last year this figure was 1,500-1.700 tonnes). The plant in Shklov completely satisfies these needs and can export more than 2,000 tonnes. Last year more than 40% of paper was exported to 16 countries, the largest destination market was Ukraine (it consumes about 100,000 tonnes of paper).

Vladimir Shulga noted that the quality and price of the Shklov-made paper is not inferior to the Russian one. The demand for it has increased, while at the beginning of last year there were problems with sales, including on the domestic market. In May domestic consumption increased twofold to 2,600 tonnes. The plant had to adjust some export targets, because its primary goal is to ensure domestic demand. “We reached the ratio of 35% for exports and 65% for domestic demand. I think in the near future, this ratio will remain in place. In principle, the volume of currency we earn on foreign supplies is enough to purchase the necessary raw materials, spare parts,” he added.

The commissioning of the newsprint plant in Shklov in 2008 was primarily aimed at solving strategic tasks: to substitute import of newsprint and saturate the domestic market with these products in sufficient quantity for the successful development of the printing industry. The plant is a complex high-tech waste-free facility processing wood and manufacturing newsprint and wood products. The entire production cycle is equipped with modern automated control system, which allows controlling the process in stages and manufacturing highly competitive products that are in high demand both in Belarus and abroad.