OREANDA-NEWS. On 07 May 2008 was announced, that EuroChem signed three first contracts regulating development and construction of a unit for production of melamine on the basis of “Nevinnomyssky Azot”.

Two contracts at the total amount of 92.6 million Euro concluded between EuroChem and the firm Lurgi (Germany) concern development of a working project and supply of equipment for a melamine unit. The contracts were signed by the General Director of EuroChem Dmitry Strezhnev, vice president of the company Lurgi for CIS Firuddin Kasumov and the project director Roland Hein. The third contract at the amount of 2.4 million Euro signed by the executive director of “Nevinnomyssky Azot” Victor Kail and Urea CASALE (Switzerland) represented by the sales manager Paolo Brunengo provides for the license and basic project of the unit. The process of signing was visited by the director of the Representative Office of the company Urea CASALE for Russia and CIS Valery Ionidi.

The total value of the project amounts to 184 million Euro. “Nevinnomyssky Azot” was chosen for implementation thereof due to availability at the enterprise of appropriate technical means, highly qualified personnel possessing experience in implementation of production facilities new for the country (acetic acid), as well as proximity to ports. The project will be arranged within the framework of reconstruction of the carbamide production workshop which will allow for integration therein of a unit for production of melamine with the capacity of 50,000 tons per year.

At this stage OJSC “NIIC” - the first licensor of the melamine generation technology – is carrying out development of a feasibility study of the project and assesses environmental impact of future production. According to the investigation production of melamine does not represent any threat for ecology of the region: expanded gases generated in the course of generation thereof are reprocessed into carbamide while solid wastes are processed into a catalytic agent (aluminium oxide) with small content of melem – is used as an additive to asphalt, concrete and as feed for fish cultivation. Melamine producing plants are being constructed event in resort areas (for example, in United Arab Emirates) which evidences on environmental safety thereof.

Assembly of the unit is planned to be completed at the end of 2010, obtainment of products is scheduled for the beginning of 2011. Subject to successful development of the project at “Nevinnomyssky Azot” it is probable to implement production of melamine at another subsidiary of EuroChem – “NAK Azot”.

No melamine has been produced in Russia till present. The EuroChem’s project is fully oriented towards satisfaction of enterprises of woodworking and painting industries of Russia. It will permit to provide them with valuable raw materials for obtainment of environmentally safe polymeric compounds characterized by high mechanical resistance and thermal resistance. In terms of quality and level of observance of sanitary regulations unites operated at the plant will exceed all existing European analogues. 

Implementation of the project will permit to EuroChem to take the leading position in the fast-growing market of this product in the RF and CIS with substitution of import supplies.

Information about melamine:

Melamine represents white cryptocrystalline powder. It was generated for the first time in 50’s at heating of dicyandiamide. Modern production facilities of melamine use carbamide as the raw material.

Melamine is a valuable raw material for obtainment of many environmentally safe polymeric compounds (plastic materials, varnishes, glues) characterized by high mechanical resistance, resistant against impact of chemical compounds, high temperatures, humidity as well as attrition and cracks. It is used in production of fire-resistant covers and products, wood and wood plates, plastic materials, paper, textile, varnishes and paints, press compositions (dishware, window sills, ash trays, buttons, pens, bodies of various devices) etc.