History of PJSC “Concern Stirol” is the history of chemical industry of Ukraine

The thirties and forties: the leader of the industry 

The history of concern dates back to the period of the first five-year plans when the new-born Soviet state was searching for the resources for its development. In 1929 the geological exploration and chemical plant designing were begun in Horlivka. Foreign experts took part in the enterprise’s construction. Nitrogen fertilizers enterprise, that was the name of PJSC “Concern Stirol”, started operating on 23 April, 1933. The plant was the first to manufacture ammonia from coke gas in the former USSR. In two years the concern has reached its planned production capacity and by 1940 the production of ammonia increased in 5 times and the production of nitric acid - in 30 times. In October 1941, after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the plant had to move from Horlivka to home front on the east. The production site in Horlivka was destroyed. 

The fifties and sixties: the post-war reconstruction

Return to active work and initial capacity restoration in the post-war period was related to new shops launching. The sixties were the period of organic chemistry development. After the war, the production of ethylbenzene and medical nitrous oxide was launched for the first time in the country. The suspension, bulk-polymerized polystyrene and expandable polystyrene shops were put into operation. In March 1966, the new production facilities of mineral fertilizers were started. It was the shop 3A manufacturing granulated ammonium nitrate with initial production capacity 590 000 tonnes per year. On May 4th, 1966, The Horlivka Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

Turn of the seventies and eighties: new capacities launching.

In this period the large-tonnage sulfuric acid production units were put into operation. There was the shop SA-24 (1970) with manufacturing capacity amounted to 720 000 tonnes per year. In addition, new sites 1-B (December, 1978) and 1-V (May, 1979) of ammonia production were launched. In 1979, the prilled urea production Site No.1 was put into operation at the United Urea Plant, and its production capacity was 510 000 tonnes per year. After these projects realization, the ammonia production increased three times and the nitrogen fertilizers output was doubled. In 1976 the plant was renamed to Industrial Association “Stirol”. The years 1987–1988 became another milestone. That was the time of acids and salts production shops launching. From the late 1980s, the Industrial Association “Stirol” started its ownership change. 

The nineties – early 2000s: transition to the independence

In February 1993, the lease Concern “Stirol” was registered, and in September 1995, JSC “Concern Stirol” was founded. Thus, the enterprise entered the next stage of its development. At the initial stage of Ukrainian independence, “Stirol” found the means to develop new business areas, which strengthened its economy. In 1995, urea-ammonium nitrate production was put into operation. Liquid mineral fertilizers were in great demand in the USA, Canada and France. In 1996, “Stirol” started the pharmacological production in compliance with the GMP standards. On October 22, 2001, the Concern implemented the closed cycle technologies and since then no sewerage has entered to Donbas rivers from the enterprise. In 2002, PJSC “Concern Stirol” was the first in Ukraine to get the ISO:14001 Certificate ensuring the environmental management compliance with the international standards. 

Year 2010: beginning of the modern history

In autumn 2010 PJSC “Concern Stirol” has changed its owner. The enterprise was included into Dmitriy Firtash’s group of assets. Since joining OSTCHEM operation of a number of idle production sites was renewed. Moreover, the wide investment program targeted on production capacities increase and energy efficiency rising was implemented. In addition, the enterprise realized projects aimed at comfortable living conditions creation and ensuring of environmental security in the region