Fire at SIBUR's Nizhnekamskneftekhim shuts down 6% of total production, amounting to 180,000 tonnes per year

KAZAN. April 1 (Interfax) - The capacity of the facility at SIBUR's Nizhnekamskneftekhim plant that has been shut down due to a fire amounts to 6% of the plant's total capacity, SIBUR reported on Tuesday, citing the Russian petrochemical group's CEO Mikhail Karisalov.

"The plant's total capacity amounts to about 3 million tonnes of product per year. Production that is currently shut down accounts for about 6% of the total amount, meaning about 180,000 tonnes per year," Karisalov was quoted as saying in the press release.

"But the focus right now is not on tonnes but, I repeat, on people," Karisalov said.

Sixty-eight people have sought medical attention as a result of the fire, 21 of whom have been hospitalized, including two people in serious condition.

"Unfortunately, there have been losses. We lost two people, employees of the plant. To date, as of now the fire has been localized. We are working with first responders. I would like to thank them for working with us," Nizhnekamskneftekhim head Marat Falyakhov said.

Most of the people who sought medical aid had minor injuries, "small cuts, bruises," Karisalov said.

"There are now 21 people actually in hospital. These are employees of the plant and contract organizations that were conducting repair and construction work," he said.

As reported, an equipment malfunction occurred at Nizhnekamskneftekhim on Tuesday, which was followed by a fire. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is one of the world's largest producers of synthetic rubbers and one of Russia's largest producers of plastics. Since October 2021, it has been part of SIBUR.

The fire was caused by the ignition of a gas mixture followed by an explosion at the synthetic rubber production facility, SIBUR said.

"During work to eliminate the consequences of equipment depressurization at Nizhnekamskneftekhim's synthetic rubber production facility, ignition of a gas mixture occurred from a source not yet identified, followed by an explosion," the company said.

"The main production units of Nizhnekamskneftekhim are unaffected and continue to operate," it said.

NKNC's press service clarified that the fire has been contained, and the residual fire is being extinguished. There is no risk of the fire spreading further, as the plant has completed routine equipment shutdowns and other necessary safety procedures, according to the statement.