“It is important to choose the right course, because errors in the production of large capacities are fraught with problems,” said the president in response to the controversial new project to convert benzene
The participants of the board of directors of Tatneftekhiminvest-Holding discussed on December 24th whether the production of “Polyamide 66” will take place in Tatarstan or not. “The construction of such a facility is now like putting a cart in front of the horse, since there is no confirmed demand for such volumes, Timur Shagivaleev, general director of SEZ Alabuga, criticized the idea of one of its residents and emphasized the lack of solid financial resources Support. He argued that such projects should be stimulated by the state through the reverse excise tax on liquefied natural gas, not otherwise. Which projects were supported by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan and which remained on pause – read the report by Realnoe Vremya.
Will polyamide 66 be “successful” on Tatar benzene?
The last meeting of the board of directors of Tatneftekhiminvest-Holding this year was marked by a sharp discussion about the processing of scarce ethane / ethylene in the petrochemical complex. Incompatible judgments among the “generals” of large companies were caused by an innocent project to manufacture polymers with the fascinating name “Polyamide 66”.
The Moscow company KamGeoTex PLC, based in Alabuga SEZ (the company entered there five years ago, but the project has not yet been implemented) offered to organize the production of this complex, low-tonnage polymer in facilities in the republic. Vladimir Smirnov, the company’s deputy general manager, presented the general concept of the project.
First, he explained how strategically important the new polymer is for the country. According to him, this year, on the instructions of the Russian Defense Ministry, the first attempt was made to manufacture thermal kits for the needs of the Russian army. Prototypes made from the new polymer have passed the test, he said. However, domestic material is required for their mass introduction into production, since the use of foreign raw materials in the manufacture of products for the military is prohibited. The main raw material for the polymer is benzene, which is scarce in the country.
The Moscow company KamGeoTex PLC is based in SEZ Alabuga (the company entered there five years ago, but the project has not yet been implemented). Photo: russez.ru
Thermal kits for the military
“The military’s needs are estimated at 1 million units of kits, 80,000 per month, but so far there are only 5,000,” said Vladimir Smirnov, making it clear that the first samples made from imported polymer had unique properties. They deserve a high rating from the Ministry of Defense of Russia and the material itself is of great interest, “he praised the products.
The market environment for the start of production of the new polymer is favorable. According to his calculations, only 6 million tons of this polymer are produced worldwide. The greatest demand is in the automotive and aerospace industries, as impact-resistant polymer structures are manufactured on the basis of basic brands.
The company estimates that demand for the product is expected to double by 2027. The import volume of these brands to Russia is approx. 1,000 tons per year (not made in Russia). The export price per ton is 2,500-3,200 euros, Smirnov continues. He then turned to the President with a proposal to give instructions on the preparation of a feasibility study for the construction of a production facility for polyamide 66 in Tatarstan. The amount of the investment was not mentioned.
Smirnov was assisted by the general director of Tatneftekhiminvest Holding, Rafinat Yarullin. Photo: tatarstan.ru
How do you distribute benzene?
Smirnov was assisted by the general director of Tatneftekhiminvest Holding, Rafinat Yarullin. “We are now looking for every ton of benzene worldwide. Especially those who make polyamide 66, “he said.” Manufacturing PA-66 means entering a new stage of development, means thousands of jobs, and the products will create new production facilities, “he urged the President of Tatarstan. According to him, meetings were held at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Republic to open the project instead, there are opportunities for support in the form of subsidies, and Promsvyazbank management is ready to consider the project for the future, he said.
The raw material source for the start of the project may be the Nizhnekamskneftekhim ethylene plant, where 200,000 tons of benzene are available, and the capacity of Tatneft, where up to 50,000 tons of benzene can be produced. Where should it be directed correctly? “The product is new, we need to examine the prospects of this market,” said Minnikhanov.
If a factory is required, a reverse excise duty should be charged
During the discussion, however, there was still a spark of doubt. Timur Shagivaleev, the general director of SEZ Alabuga, asked for the floor. “Building the polyamide 66 facility now is like putting a cart in front of the horse as there is no confirmed demand for such quantities,” he said bluntly.
Timur Shagivaleev: “Building a line for polyamide 66 now is like putting a cart in front of the horse, as there is no confirmed demand for such quantities.” Photo: tatarstan.ru
If the Department of Defense is interested in building such a facility, we should expect decisive action from them. “You have to do one thing: place a long-term paid order under which ABB (Ak Bars Bank – editor’s note) or PSB (Promsvyazbank – editor’s note) can set a financial model,” he argued.
On the other hand, such a plant could be built by the European petrochemical giant BASF, which imports polymer to Russia. “Why isn’t BASF building a plant in Alabuga if it supplies raw materials?” He asked himself.
However, Shagivaleev’s main argument was that the state should promote such projects in a good way through tax instruments. As the main method, he named the reverse excise duty on LPG, which is paid to SIBUR’s petrochemical companies for processing ethylene in the necessary processing stages.
“If the state wants, they say: ‘I want polyamide 66 and I am willing to pay extra … Then TAIF and Tatneft will do this project very quickly. Because it offers guaranteed sales. And even sweeten the pill, “explained the general director of the SEZ.
The head of the National University of Research Technology in Kazan, Yury Kazakov, agreed. “We saw the presentation, received a letter from the Department of Industry and Commerce, and watched the relocation of PA-66. Perhaps the most marginal partitions do not exist, but this topic should be analyzed. We are ready to connect with this issue, “he found a compromise solution.
The head of the National University of Research Technology in Kazan, Yury Kazakov, agreed. Photo: tatarstan.ru
The President of Tatarstan drew a line. According to him, when choosing partitions, it is necessary to choose a verified direction. “When there is large-scale production, mistakes are fraught with problems. It is necessary to carefully go to one segment or another, “concluded the head of the republic.
Micro granules – for the service of Tatneft
However, the project to use microreactors in the development of low-tonnage chemistry was supported smoothly and without any disagreement. It was presented by the general director of RZMT JSC, the Rostec subsidiary, Yury Zozulya.
For the first time, the project was announced seven years ago in the republic, at the earliest point of its creation, and today the developers of know-how have shown the possibilities of practical application.
The essence of the development is the construction of microreactors or, as Yury Zozulya said, a “small chemical plant” that could replace large reactors in low-tonnage industries. As an example of the transition, he cited the company DSM, which converted the 10-liter reactor to a miniature volume of 3 liters without affecting performance.
Microfluidic technology works at the level of microchips, and the system itself works on the basis of a matrix. According to Zozuli, the flows in microreactors work in micron channels up to 4 mm. It’s easy to guess that the output is microgranules. In fact, this is the advantage – the mixing zone of hazardous chemicals is almost like a test tube and poses no threat.
The reaction speed for these microfluidic technologies is a few minutes. The technology of microreactor synthesis can easily be integrated into “big chemistry”: Traditional chemical processes and biosynthesis are available to it. The production volume is 1 cubic meter per hour or 8,000 cubic meters per year.
The project to use microreactors in the development of low-tonnage chemistry was presented by the general director of RZMT JSC, Rostec’s subsidiary, Yury Zozulya. Photo: tatarstan.ru
The speaker suggested that Tatarstan consider the possibility of making microfluidic proppants to increase oil production from reservoirs. Modular micro-installations can produce 200 tons per year. The second possible product is methionine (amino acids for poultry feeding) for agriculture. The facility for 50,000 euros costs 30 million euros, which is three times cheaper than conventional technologies.
Implement it together with science
“How can we ‘land’ these technologies?” Asked the President. “You have to work with your sleeves rolled up,” said Rafinat Yarullin enthusiastically. “There are many areas of application – it is necessary to make agreements. Kazan Federal University, Kazan State Technological University, “he stated the point of application of the effort. The President agreed.
He recommended TAIF and Tatneft to look closely at these technologies because low-tonnage chemicals are at low levels. “Let’s try to ‘land’ ideas together with science. If you can make money anywhere, why not, “argued the president.
Patfil, based in the Kazan Technopolis Khimgrad, presented developments in the field of ventilation systems. The general manager of the company, Andrey Mikhaylov, spoke about the AQUA-TOR and AQUA-PLAST systems for oxygen saturation of wastewater. The President recommended the Ministry of Construction to take it over.
Another resident of Khimgrad – Energoproekt-Engineering PLC – presented the software and hardware complexes Tatintes, Sura and Siemens, which automate the operation of fuel and energy equipment and utilities, and received approval.
By Luiza Ignatyeva
Tatarstan