New soda from Kujawy
 |
In September 2007 a new system to produce dense "monohydrate" soda was launched in the Soda Mątwy plants belonging to Soda Polska Ciech. The manufacturing capacity of the "monohydrate" soda is estimated at 500 thousand tonnes per year. It is operated by only two workers per one shift as this process is monitored by a computer system. The cost of the system development was PLN 55 million.
Probably it is the most modern system to produce dense soda worldwide. "Monohydrate" soda from the plant in Mątwy complies with the strictest requirements of the European market in terms of pro-ecology and product quality.
|
Modernisation of epoxy resins system in Organika-Sarzyna
 |
In October a modernized system to produce epoxy resins was launched in the Organika-Sarzyna plants belonging to Ciech in the Podkarpackie Voivodship. Cost of this investment amounts to PLN 35 million, while the process of construction lasted barely 58 days. The modernized system will allow to increase the manufacturing capacity from 15 thousand tonnes to 30 thousand tonnes per year. Epoxy resins are a semi-finished product to manufacture paints and varnishes, epoxy compositions for the construction industry and other industrial branches; they are also used in electronics.
|
PLN 80 million for new foams from Zachem
 |
In September 2007 a contract for the development of a system to produce TDI was concluded in the Zachem plants in Bydgoszcz (applicable as a raw material to manufacture polyurethane foams used in furniture and cars, it is also used in production of adhesives, binders and sealing compounds). The value of the contract is PLN 80 million and so far it is the largest fixed-asset investment in the history of Ciech. After the system’s development, i.e., by the end of 2008, Zachem will have manufactured 75 thousand tonnes of TDI annually.
Development of the TDI system will allow for further improvement of the manufacturing capacity within the product chain that is within the range of PUR foams, i.e., by non-flammable foams.
|
Fertilizers from waste from Alwernia
 |
In autumn 2007 Zakłady Chemiczne Alwernia belonging to Ciech launched production of granular fertilizers made of phosphatic waste. It is an example of combining pro-ecological activities with business practice. As long as the company has enough raw materials the plant can manufacture even up to 100 tonnes of fertilizers within twenty four hours. Even though the system to produce the fertilizers is several storeys high, it is operated by only a few workers as the entire process is monitored by a computer system.
|
In 2008 the Ciech Chemical Group companies intend to allocate over PLN 12 million for innovation and development investments. Modernization of Elektrociepłownie Kujawskie is the most significant assignment for this year and for the years to come and this will enable us to reduce energy consumption in the process of soda and salt production as well as to save raw energetic materials. Besides, we intend to develop a system to produce polyester resins (the manufacturing capacity is expected to increase from 15 thousand tonnes to 25 thousand tonnes), and launch a new updated system to produce MCPA as well. We will also continue expansion of the TDI complex and systems manufacturing PUR foams started in 2007 in Zachem. The total cost of these assignments will exceed PLN 100 million.