Chemistry in the Heart of Russia. How Fertilizer Production Contributes to Regional Development
How the “chemical flagman” of Russia which celebrates its fortieth anniversary developed. The Press Office ofTogliattiazot
In 1973, the USSR Ministry of Chemical Industry issued the order “On the selection of an industrial site for the construction of liquid ammonia production facilities in Kuibyshev Region”. The country was in urgent need for this chemical compound: to implement its food program, the Soviet Union required large volumes of mineral fertilizers. In 1975, construction of the chemical giant for the production of ammonia and urea began in the village of Zelenovka, 12 km away from Togliatti. The equipment for it was supplied under compensation agreements by American, French and Italian companies. In April 1979, the first ton of sales ammonia was produced. At the moment Togliattiazot is one of the top three ammonia producers in the country and the top ten world leaders. It is one of the three plants in the world with a capacity to produce 3 million tons of ammonia per year. Geopolitics and private business. How such a tandem works in Taman
The company specialises in the production of mineral fertilizers and chemicals. Today, the plant produces one of the most critical chemical products — ammonia, which is used in the production of nitrogen-containing compounds, nitric acid, ammonia nitrate, urea, and complex fertilizers. The products of the Togliatti-based chemical giant is in demand in 120 countries and account for a tangible share in the structure of Russian exports. The enterprise operates seven ammonia units, two urea units, UFC ad carbon dioxide production facilities, and all of them are located on an industrial site of over 200 ha. For 40 years of operations, the chemical giant has produced more than 84 million tons of ammonia and more than 26 million tons of urea. TOAZ industrial facilities cover around 20 % of overall demand in the local market and 11 % of global ammonia exports. The plant has well-developed infrastructure which ensures uninterrupted supplies: an on-site railway yard and access to the unique Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline which is more than 2,000 km long. In the near future, the company plans to complete the construction of Russia’s one-of-a-kind export loading facility for the shipment of ammonia and bulk fertilizers in Taman (Krasnodar Territory), which will allow it to move traffic to Russia.
The enterprise is also included in the tope five taxpayers of the region. In 2018, the chemists paid RUB 4.9 billion to the federal and regional budgets.
Thanks to its social policy, the company has the image of an employer of choice. In 2018, 292 people joined the plant, while the total personnel number at TOAZ is more than 4,200 employees. The enterprise creates all conditions required for the comfortable work and life of its staff. TOAZ employees take advantage of the corporate kindergarten program and have the opportunity to acquire summer camp vouchers at 30 % cost. Every year, 500 to 600 chemists and their families maintain their health at Nadezhda Health Resort. Young specialists are granted a one-off allowance and preserve their jobs after military service with the Armed Forces of Russia. The company also applies a corporate housing program. In 2019, 92 TOAZ employees received keys for company-owned apartments.
Much attention is paid to the social life in the city community as well. A few cultural and educational projects have been launched, including “The Literature Orchestra”, “The Chemistry of the Word” series of free lectures, “The Impulse” concert program, where proceeds from the sale of the tickets form a pool of finance for the support of young musicians in Togliatti. For many years, the plant has been cooperating with Togliatti Philharmonic and the Museum of Local History. TOAZ is a backbone enterprise of the city, that is why the company provides assistance in the renovation of public and healthcare institutions, supports socially vulnerable citizens, orphanages, veterans of labour, and disabled people.
Last year, TOAZ was one of the first Russian enterprises to pay attention to the problem of adaptation of future pensioners and presented its “Chemistry of Experience” initiative, which provides a free-of-charge opportunity for all elderly citizens of Togliatti to learn computer literacy, English and entrepreneurial skills. Enhanced package. How do enterprises improve their social services?
Three years ago, chemists launched a career orientation program, and in 2017 the innovative project “School as One of the Elements of Building a Talent Pool for Chemical Enterprises in Samara Region”, which is based on a combination of three key elements: School — University — TOAZ. In 2019, vocational classes will be opened in School No. 41 and Gymnasium No. 35 in Togliatti to train future specialists for the plant.
Togliattiazot (TOAZ), a leading producer of ammonia in Russia, ranks 247th in the RAEX-600 rating published by Kommersant.
In 2019, 174 children aged 7 to 17 visited recreational and health centers. In August, 100 of them went on holiday to the Dream Summer Camp located at the Black Sea in the village of Dzhubga, Tuapse District. The transfer services and hot meals were also sponsored by the enterprise. 74 children were given vouchers for wellness programs in Togliatti’s Rainbow Recreation Center in a pine forest on the Volga river. According to the collective agreement, parents paid as little as 30 % of the holiday package value.
Around 50 high school students have opened a new school year in the vocational classes in Gymnasium No. 35 and School No. 41 in Togliatti, created at the initiative of Russia’s largest ammonia producer Togliattiazot.