At the start of new prospects

Domestic production of tinplate is set to grow by 18 percent in 2025

During a visit to the Miory Metal Rolling Mill in August 2022, the Head of State clearly outlined the significance of this production facility for the country as a whole and for local residents in particular.
At that time, the President set the task of ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the plant, not only to maintain the positions achieved but also to confidently secure a niche in the international market.
Sergei Isayev, General Director of Metal Rolling Company, spoke about how this strategically important enterprise for the entire country managed to achieve its goals and the results it delivered in the past year.

Company’s products are in demand abroad               Anton Stepanishchev

Business is gaining momentum

In 2025, the only enterprise in Belarus producing tinplate entered the year with solid results and financial indicators across all areas. The key task for 2024 has been successfully completed — to produce and deliver no less than 72,000 tonnes of finished products to consumers, as noted by the director, “To date, we are collaborating with over 40 contractors from Russia and Belarus. The Russian Federation accounts for 80 percent of our finished product exports.
Overall, our company ranks second in supplies there, following the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. Chinese manufacturers are in third place. We supply 20 percent of our produced goods to Belarusian consumers (Rogachev and Glubokoye dairy and canning plants, and companies like Magol, Unibox, and more), covering a significant portion of the domestic market in our niche.”
At the same time, the enterprise’s export map is gradually expanding. “Our goal is to maximise volumes across all directions,” emphasised Sergei Isayev. “To this end, we are striving to increase shipments to contractors in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Egypt, and Türkiye. We have made our first export deliveries for cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies in Uzbekistan. Azerbaijan has responded. Business partners from that country have processed a trial batch and are placing further orders for Belarusian tinplate. In the near future, we plan to supply tinplate to Pakistan.”
Metal Rolling Company also has serious plans regarding the Chinese direction. A large number of contracts have been signed with eastern partners. We are sourcing equipment and various spare parts from there. Thus, the plant is currently considering the possibility of purchasing hot-rolled products from China. The general director is convinced that the prospects for co-operation appear broad.

Goals in sight

For 2025, the goal has been set to produce 85,000 tonnes of products, which will represent 118 percent of last year’s level. According to the director, this goal is achievable. Firstly, the company received a number of advantages in the form of tax incentives in 2022 by obtaining the status of a resident of the Vitebsk Free Economic Zone. Secondly, the enterprise is focused on producing goods that are in demand in the global market.
Regarding the overall technical upgrade and re-equipment of the enterprise, Sergei Isayev highlighted that 2024 proved to be quite fruitful in this respect. Many significant investment projects were implemented, which has strengthened the company’s position and competitiveness, as stated by Sergei Isayev, “A hydrogen installation was commissioned, which has considerably increased the plant’s capabilities. A bridge crane has been purchased and installed for the movement of raw materials and finished products. Its use will allow for an increase in the volume of finished product shipments and will also optimise the material flow in the warehouses.”
The company’s plans for 2025 are also ambitious. In the first quarter, it is planned to commission a laser texturing machine imported from China, intended for applying microtopography (textures). This will enhance the adhesion properties of the produced goods and extend the inter-operational lifespan of the working rollers.

Aleksandr Malysh, roller operator      Anton Stepanishchev  

Place to call home

The staff of Metal Rolling Company consists of nearly 770 people, with an average age of 38. The core team is made up of residents from Miory Region and nearby areas, including Sharkovshchina, Braslav, and Verkhnedvinsk. Assembling the workforce was not an easy task. However, advance measures taken helped to address this challenge — Oleg Gretsky, Deputy General Director — Chief Engineer, provided insight into the company’s social policy. According to him, alongside the establishment of a production base and engineering and transport infrastructure, housing for employees was also constructed as part of the project, “Through our own housing programme, the enterprise has built eight low-rise buildings with 64 flats and one multi-storey building with 40 flats, and has improved the surrounding area. Their maintenance is also covered by the company. An effective training system for new employees, who are prepared on-site with the help of experienced mentor-practitioners, has alsoserved as an incentive for attracting staff.”
Metal rolling plant’s activity gave powerful impetus to development of Miory District           Anton Stepanishchev   

By Olga Bogacheva