The only complex for processing worn-out tires in the Vitebsk region has been opened in Novopolotsk.

In Novopolotsk, at the UP "Biomechplant of Household Secondary Resources", a complex for the deep processing of worn-out tires and rubber products has been opened, which will produce rubber crumb and other rubber products.– Several years ago, the press wrote that Novopolotsk is the dirtiest city in Belarus. We disagree with this and decided to change this perception. We started implementing a number of measures to minimize the harmful impact on the environment, and in recent years, we have improved the indicators several times, – said Dmitry Demidov, member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee.

Serious work on the collection and sorting of municipal solid waste began in 2010, when the UP "Biomechplant of Household Secondary Resources" started operating in Novopolotsk. Efforts were also made to accustom the population to separate waste collection. However, as Dmitry Vladimirovich noted, it is difficult to reach an agreement with adults with established habits, while children and young people respond well to all initiatives. The launch of this complex is another measure in the fight against environmental pollution.

The investment project is included in the State Program "One District – One Project", the key message of which is the restoration of economic growth, the creation of import-substituting production facilities, and the prevention of people's outflow from rural areas to large cities. The complex has created 23 new jobs.

Design and survey work for the complex began at the end of 2020. Today, it has been commissioned. The actual cost of the project amounted to over 6.5 million rubles. The payback period is 7 years.

– This complex is the most significant and most expensive at our enterprise, consisting of two equipment lines. We plan to produce rubber tiles, paving stones, and curbs of various sizes, shapes, and colors here. Such products are durable, safe, frost-resistant, do not fade in the sun, and have a long service life. They can be used both outdoors and indoors, – said Sergey Velyugo, Director of UP "Biomechplant of Household Secondary Resources".

There is a problem with the disposal of worn-out tires in the Vitebsk region. The nearest similar enterprises are located in the Grodno, Mogilev regions, and in Minsk. Now, all enterprises in the Vitebsk region will be able to send worn-out tires for processing to the Novopolotsk biomechplant.

– If an enterprise delivers tyres to our processing facility using its own transport, the cost for them will be zero, meaning the only expense will be for delivery. Currently, our competitors operate under different terms, – noted Sergey Nikolaevich.

The volume of tyre waste in the Vitebsk region for 2022 amounted to 7300 tonnes. The facility in Novopolotsk is designed to process 3300 tonnes, so the enterprise's management is confident there will be no issues with raw material supply for the facility.

Prior to the official launch of the facility, an exhibition of products from the biomechanical plant was organised at the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, including trial samples manufactured at the new complex. As Sergey Velyugo noted, the enterprise's products are in high demand on the market, with a focus on export. The plant already has established partners in the Russian Federation.

– This facility is unique for the Vitebsk region and addresses not only an environmental but also an economic challenge. It involves the creation of new jobs and serves as an example of how waste can be collected, sorted, processed, and used to produce new import-substituting products in one location, – said Andrey Romashko, Deputy Minister of Housing and Communal Services of the Republic of Belarus, at the opening of the facility.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by