SOCAR Polymer in talks with potential customer companies

On 6 February 2018, the Institute for Scientific Research on Economic Reforms (ISRER) jointly with “Sumgait Chemistry Industry Park” LLC and “SOCAR Polymer” LLC organized a conference on “Expansion of import-replacing industrial production based on domestic raw material resources”. The event was supported by the Ministry of Economy of the Azerbaijan Republic and attended by entrepreneurs, experts, and representatives of government bodies and research institutions.

Deputy Minister of Economy, Niyazi Safarov underlined the successful implementation of consistent measures targeted at modernization of the industry and diversification of the non-oil sector. He emphasized the importance of making effective use of domestic raw materials to support local production. He added that the Azerbaijan Ministry of Economy was holding talks with potential customers regarding future sale of products to be produced at the SOCAR Polymer plants: “Talks are underway with 15 companies, and this number is likely to increase in the future. As a result, the demand for polymers has reached 50,000 tons”.

The Director of “Sumgait Chemistry Industrial Park” LLC, Nazim Talibov reported on the activities of the Park.

Dr. Gazanfar Bayramov, leading researcher at the Institute for Physical Problems under the Baku State University, gave a presentation on cooperation opportunities between higher education institutions and industry players.

Prof., Dr. Vilayat Veliyev, Director of Institute for Scientific Research on Economic Reforms (ISRER) gave a presentation on establishment of clusters around “SOCAR Polymer” LLC.

The Planning and Performance Manager for “SOCAR Polymer” LLC, Vugar Aslanov gave a presentation about the importance and prospects of raw material use. He informed the audience about the current status of works at the SOCAR Polymer construction site in Sumgayit, the PP and HDPE Production Plans for the period of June-December 2018, and the products that could be produced from different PP and HDPE grades.

In conclusion of the event, the conference participants discussed the questions and issues raised by the entrepreneurs. Thus, in particular, the entrepreneurs inquired about the technology required for manufacturing products based on PP and HDPE as feedstock. In reply, V.Aslanov informed that SOCAR Polymer is ready to provide them with support and advice from the technological point of view by engaging our engineers to render consultancy on certain issues, including details on what products could be manufactured from different grades of polymers and what optional ways to develop business exist. Some other questions regarded the list of polymer grades to be produced by SOCAR Polymer this year and the start-up date of the plant.

The conference has been productive and effective in establishing closer contact and understanding between SOCAR Polymer and entrepreneurs.