Metafrax has purchased large batch of tank cars from UWC

JSC “Metafrax”, the biggest Russian manufacturer and exporter of methanol, has purchased a large batch of tank cars from Research and Production Corporation “United Wagon Company” (UWC or the Holding) (MOEX: UWGN). The parties have entered into the purchase agreement for 134 new generation methanol tank cars. The rolling stock will be arriving at the chemical enterprise in the course of 2016.

Tank-cars of model 15-6880, clearance 1-Т, for the transportation of methanol and its derivatives will be delivered to Metafrax company. This car is equipped with the bogie arrangement with axle load 25 t/f; it has increased load-carrying capacity (73 t) and boiler volume (88 m3). The shielded enclosure of fittings provides for the convenient operation and integrity of the freight during transportation. The construction design of the boiler with a “broken” axis allows achieving maximum draining of the tank. The service life of tank cars is 32 years.

Tank cars will be manufactured in the new enterprise of UWC — TikhvinChemMash, which launch took place in December last year. Putting into operation of the new fleet will be implemented on a phased basis in the course of 2016.

Vladimir Daut, CEO at Metafrax, commented on the transaction: “Today an active preparation for the implementation of huge investment projects is taking place at Metafrax. We intend to significantly increase the production and sales volumes as part of a strategy of the group of companies’ business development until 2030. A separate line of the investment budget is the improvement of the infrastructure, the upgrade of railway-fleet on a phased basis. The upgrade programme will be in effect until 2019 and it covers more than 900 units of methanol and formalin tank-cars. It is clear that we are interested in the new generation rolling stock, possessing high degree of reliability, developed in cooperation with UWC Holding”.

Purchasing the new railway fleet into ownership, Metafrax company counts upon the programme of state support in terms of costs backing.