MOSCOW (
MRC) -- Group DF, the industrial business of Ukrainian tycoon Dmitry Firtash, may be forced to sell off Eastern Europe’s biggest producer of titanium oxide, Crimea Titan following the Russian invasion of the Crimea, said
Europeanplasticsnews.
Crimea Titan, a supplier of the plastics industry intermediate chemical to customers across Europe, is one of two group companies isolated by the territory’s occupation. The TiOx producer
has been unable to obtain vital feedstock supplies of ilmenite concentrate from companies across the new border with Ukraine.
Since the Russian takeover, Group DF has also had major difficulties trying to manage the Titan plant in Armyansk in northern Crimea, as well as soda ash producer Crimea Soda Plant, its other local business incorporated in Crimea.
"We are a Ukrainian group and that’s why we will certainly act according to Ukrainian laws. In any case, if we cannot manage these companies, we will be forced to sell them," commented Group DF’s managing director Borys Krasnyanskiy.
He admitted the group is experiencing problems in paying salaries to its Crimean employees. "As you know, the hryvnia (the Ukraine’s currency) is no longer in circulation. As a Ukrainian company registered as a legal entity in Kiev, Crimea Titan, for instance cannot make payments in Russian currency," he explained.
In April, the local subsidiary, formerly registered in Armyansk, was re registered in the Ukraine capital Kiev because of the Russian occupation. Crimea Soda Plant kept its legal address in the Crimea.
Private Joint Stock Company "Crimean Titan" was found in August, 2004. 100% of the shares belong to Ostchem Germany GmbH, a member of the Group DF. The main activity of PJSC "Crimean Titan" - the production of titanium dioxide pigment grades, which is used in paint, rubber industry, plastics industry and many other industries.
Titanium dioxide accounts for about 90% of the companie's total exports. The company supplies its products to more than 60 countries.
MRC