Hexagon opens first Russian composite gas cylinder plant

The opening ceremony was attended by the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region Mr. Valery Shantsev, Deputy Head of Mission at the Norwegian Embassy Mr. Bård Ivar Svendsen, Chairman of Autocomponent Mr. Yuriy Belyaev, Chairman of Hexagon Composites Mr. Knut Flakk, together with other representatives from the authorities, owners and customers.

Rugasco was formed in 2012 as a joint venture between Hexagon Composites ASA and Autocomponent, a large Russian manufacturer of plastic parts for the automotive and construction industry. The plant has a capacity to produce 200,000 LPG cylinders annually. The establishment has initially created 25 positions in Nizhny Novgorod.

"The opening of the plant in Nizhny Novgorod marks a new era in the development of composite cylinders in the Russian market. The establishment of the plant is a result of successful cooperation between Russia, Sweden and Norway", said Mr. Knut Flakk, Chairman of Hexagon Composites.

The automated production line has been transferred from Hexagon's subsidiary Composite Scandinavia AB in Sweden which was closed down in 2012.

Russia is one of the world's largest producers of natural gas and has implemented a policy to better utilise its natural gas resources domestically. The opening of the LPG cylinder plant is therefore seen as very positive by the Russian authorities.

It is also expected that this will generate sales of Hexagon's high-pressure composite cylinders for storage and transportation of natural gas to the Russian market.

Hexagon Composites