In 2024, Metallurgist Day in the Republic of Belarus is celebrated on July 21. The metallurgical industry plays a key role in the development of the national economy. Belarus occupies one of the leading positions among the CIS countries in terms of production of metallurgical products. This indicates a high level of development of the industry and the professionalism of Belarusian metallurgists.
Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC is a metallurgical enterprise that belongs to the non-ferrous metallurgy sub-industry. The company is located in the Berezovsky district, the city of Beloozersk. This is the first plant in the Republic of Belarus that produces branded lead from used batteries. The metallurgical plant for the production of lead and lead alloys was launched in 2011. As part of the development of the enterprise, a reconstruction was carried out in July 2017 with an increase in production capacity to 20,000 tons of grade lead per year.
Vintage lead in a bag in the form of an ingot — finished product
This ensures the raw material security of the country’s battery industry: lead alloys are produced from scrap of used batteries and are supplied mainly to battery production, as well as for export.
Pouring rough lead from a rotary furnace into pouring ladles (molds)
Exports of Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC account for 19% of the exports of goods from the Berezovsky region. As part of the development of the enterprise, in 2023 a line for the production of bushings for covers of monoblock battery batteries was launched.
Sergey Demidchik, site foreman for bushing production
Thus, the localization of the production of lead-acid batteries in the Republic of Belarus is 95%, due to the vertical integration of the enterprises Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC, Zubr Energy LLC, Battery Alliance LLC.
Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC also contributes to the socio-economic development of the city of Beloozersk and the Berezovsky district as a whole:
— the share in the export of goods from the Berezovsky district for 2023 was 19%;
— the growth of the average monthly salary in 2023 amounted to 31.5%;
— the number of personnel increased by 13.5%.
Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC also takes an active part in the social life of the city of Beloozersk: it provides support for sports and cultural events, healthcare and education, and also takes part in the improvement of the city.
In the Year of Quality, Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC celebrates the work of people who create high-quality products and ensure the development of the enterprise. One of these employees is the head of the production laboratory, leading quality engineer Alevtina Vishnevskaya, whose name is included on the Board of Honor of the Berezovsky district based on the results of work for 2023.
Alevtina Evgenievna spoke about the specifics of her work:
— I have been working at the company since 2013. By education I am a systems software engineer. My responsibilities include monitoring the production of finished products: lead alloys and bushings for the pole terminals of starter batteries. The laboratory workers have in their arsenal: geometric measuring instruments, atomic emission spectrometers, and x-ray fluorescence spectrometers. We examine the chemical composition in accordance with GOST and consumer requirements. The main components we test are lead, antimony, tin, copper, iron. The capabilities of our equipment are great: we fully satisfy the needs of the enterprise and work on foreign markets. Having done tremendous work over a long period of time, we have reached the level of compliance with international standards.
The laboratory employs four spectral analysis laboratory assistants, working in shifts. Alevtina Evgenievna says that production is continuous, so the laboratory assistant must be on alert 24/7. Work in the workshop will stop if smelters and foundries do not receive a timely assessment of the quality of their products. And this cannot be allowed. Based on the conclusions of the production laboratory, based on the test results, the process is carried out in the workshop.
Alevtina Vishnevskaya, head of the production laboratory (production control), leading quality engineer
«In the Year of Quality, I would like to note that it is especially important for us that our products meet international standards,» says Alevtina Vishnevskaya. — The enterprise is expanding, it is planned to build a new line for cutting batteries with the production of sodium sulfate products. In this regard, the laboratory will be replenished with equipment and necessary reagents.
Alevtina Vishnevskaya rightfully considers Metallurgist Day a family holiday, because her husband Alexander Stepanovich also works at this enterprise — a foundry of metals and alloys.
Dmitry Zhukovich works as a melter of metals and alloys in the production workshop of Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC. A graduate of the Beloozersk College of Electrical Engineering controls the furnace and monitors the melting of metal. The temperature in the furnace where scrap and paste are melted reaches more than a thousand degrees.
— The main thing in my work is focusing on the quality of products. You need to be careful and responsible in terms of safety precautions, because molten metal does not forgive negligence, notes Dmitry Zhukovich. — The work requires strict adherence to technology and a certain amount of knowledge. More experienced workers help and advise. The company has created comfortable conditions and decent wages.
Dmitry can carry out the entire cycle of work: from loading raw materials into the furnace to complete refining and bringing the product to a state of readiness.
Dmitry Zhukovich — metal and alloy smelter, smelting rough lead in a rotary furnace
The shoulders of people working in the metallurgical industry truly bear a huge burden of responsibility and tasks, which Beloozersk metallurgists cope with professionally and look to the future with a positive attitude.
Director of Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC Ivan Pokislyuk:
— Dear colleagues, on behalf of the management of the 1AK-GROUP holding and Belinvesttorg-Splav LLC, I congratulate you on your professional holiday — Metallurgist Day! I express my sincere gratitude for your invaluable contribution to the development of the holding. Your conscientious work, high professionalism and constant pursuit of excellence are the basis for the success of our company. We are proud of each of you and are confident that we can achieve even greater heights. May your work bring you joy, and may your hearts be filled with pride for your work. Health and prosperity!