Speciality chemicals group Clariant International is preparing to establish a new plastics masterbatch production plant in the semi-autonomous Russian republic of Tatarstan.The company based in Muttenz, Switzerland said it is still considering plans to add masterbatch production capacity in Russia to meet increasing regional customer demand. It is understood a decision to establish the facility in Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan is likely to be taken at the end of this year.
High level discussions between senior executives of Clariant, including its masterbatches division head Dominik von Bertrab, and ministers of the Tatarstan government about a local scheme took place last month, reported the official Tatar-inform news agency.
The agency suggested that the meetings included discussion of initial local investment in the region of €1.5m. A Clariant plant would be well placed in Nizhnekamsk, at the heart of one of Russia's biggest chemical industry centres, where new oil refining and petrochemical facilities are under construction.
Clariant's head of external communications Nigel Thornton told PRW.com in early October: - Clariant is currently assessing options to ensure we continue to meet growing customer demand for our masterbatches products in Russia. I can also confirm we are in discussion with potential partners, but as yet no decisions have been made.
Clariant Masterbatches division is a global leader in the manufacture of colour and additive concentrates, and technical compounds for the plastics industry. It operates more than 50 full service manufacturing facilities around the world offering a wide range of products.
