April 2021 saw a huge milestone: SIBUR and TAIF took initial steps to merge their petrochemical businesses. The deal will drive a substantial increase in the number of SIBUR enterprises and, as a result, our product portfolio: TAIF Group’s chemical and petrochemical facilities produce 581 different products, including synthetic rubbers, as well as various grades and types of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, styrene and other sought-after types of polymers. The deal is still pending regulatory approval; however, requests for updates on possible ways to expand cooperation are already flooding in from our partners. You can find SIBUR’s responses to these questions in the Q&As section. I would like to stress that the combined company’s core focus will not change; we remain committed to sustainable development and, therefore, to finding solutions for environmental issues.

Climate action calls for radical shifts in the global energy mix, technological paradigm and manufacturing industry. One the one hand, we are facing a tough fight for leadership in the new, clean world. But we also see this as an opportunity to grow and build a unifying strategy that will spur on SIBUR and its partners to mobilise their efforts and shape a sustainable future.

Recognising the need for action in this area, SIBUR and other leading Russian petrochemical companies are already setting initiatives in motion to reduce their carbon footprint and ensure the safety of operations. These matters were discussed in depth at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where a number of environmental agreements that will have a huge impact on business and society were signed.

SIBUR’s mission is to drive production efficiency, cut down on our use of natural resources and minimise our environmental footprint across our regions of operation. In this issue’s cover story, we go into detail on the concrete measures being rolled out to limit our environmental impact. I would like to particularly emphasise that the technology powering these solutions is highly sophisticated and requires serious energy and effort at all stages of its implementation; something that rings true for the petrochemical industry as a whole and SIBUR in particular. We will dive into this topic in more detail during the second SIBUR for Clients Discussion Club.

In parallel to these developments, SIBUR is launching Vivilen (from the Latin word Vivo – to live), its new brand of product solutions that is in part produced from recycled materials. At the time of writing, polypropylene and polyethylene production has already been launched at partner facilities, but we plan to bolster our product line with other products such as PET in the future. The new brand will encompass solutions for blow moulding, injection moulding and heat shrink film production. These then go on to manufacture plastic containers for household chemicals and other uses around the home, as well as cosmetics and other FMCGs. The brand represents the next phase in developing the circular economy, efficient business and social responsibility.

This approach marries ideology with business, as ESG-driven companies are able to tap into more sustainable revenue streams. ESG compliance is becoming a foundational pillar of SIBUR’s operations and relationships with partners.

In this context, I note that SIBUR’s business partners are seeing success in rolling out these practices. In this issue’s Our Partners section, various business leaders share their thoughts about, and experience in, shaping an eco-friendly product portfolio, driving innovation and fostering R&D. We welcome these approaches and are delighted with our colleagues’ successes.

The ESG policies at Russian companies are gradually becoming stronger, and it is vital for each and every one of us to drive progress on the ESG agenda. I am convinced that open dialogue and effective collaboration will help us achieve this. Our journey is only just beginning, but we have already made tangible progress. If they maintain this momentum, petrochemical companies have every chance to set the stage for Russia’s eco-friendly future.

If you have any questions, suggestions or opinions (including criticisms), do not hesitate to email them to dearcustomer@sibur.ru

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