Rustam Minnikhanov and Dmitriy Patrushev launch construction of a modern biotechnological plant at the “Green Valley” special economic zone

On 20 August at the Nizhnekamsk site of the Green Valley special economic zone (SEZ) , the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government Dmitriy Patrushev, the founder of the Ningxia Eppen Biotech Company Yang Xiaoping and the Head of Nizhnekamsk region of the republic Radmir Belyaev took part in a solemn ceremony of launching the construction of the first plant in Russia which will manufacture high quality food amino acid – DL methionine. 

The plant will become one of the anchor projects of a new biotechnology cluster emerging in Nizhnekamsk region and is the first resident of the SEZ. The project is being implemented with the support of the Russian Government and the leadership of Tatarstan, Chinese and Russian partners with the planned investments of 83bn rubles. The plant is designed to produce 100 thousand tonnes of DL-methionine a year. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that the project is of strategic importance and is a bright example of implementation of tasks in reaching technological leadership and strengthening food security of the country. The plant will create 390 jobs and the united production chain will combine petrochemistry and biotechnology.

He expressed his gratitude to the Russian President and the Government of the country for supporting regional initiatives and thanked technological partners from China. “This project once again confirms the high level of trust, strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and China. I am sure it will be implemented successfully and make a substantial contribution into the development of economy of Tatarstan and the whole country,” he said. 

In his turn, Dmitriy Patrushev stated that the plant will become the largest facility built within the national project “Technological provision of food security”. “The emergence of new production facilities in Tatarstan will make it possible to fully meet our domestic demand for methionine. Of course it is a big step towards ensuring the technological independence of the domestic agribusiness complex. Moreover, the planned production volumes will make it possible for us to solve the task of expanding the import of produce with high added value. Thus in terms of scale this project is unparalleled in Russia,” he said. 

As part of the ceremony, a time capsule containing a message to future generations was laid in the foundation of the future plant.

Dmitriy Patrushev also got acquainted with plans of the further development of the Green Valley SEZ, which has been established as a platform for the development of high tech productions including those in the sphere of biotechnologies. The Nizhnekamsk site is viewed as an advanced development area focused on innovations. The Green Valley will create more than one thousand highly qualified jobs for the republic and will foster the growth of tax revenues to budgets at all levels.