Page 55 - Журнал Sozvezdye Review - «СОЗВЕЗДИЕ» #40

for the bulk supply of chemicals – sodium chlorate,
sulfur dioxide, hydrogen peroxide. We should give
credit to the managers of our largest mills, who, with-
in shortest time possible, found alternative suppliers
and thus tackled the shortage. Supplies from the al-
ternative sources – China, India and Turkey – are
reaching all our mills without exception. One point
to note is that while earlier the procurement safety
margin was almost infinite, now, due to logistics chal-
lenges, the mills are planning no further than two or
three months. A similar situation is with other con-
sumables and components. Unfortunately, the lion’s
share of them (more than 85%) is imported. The over-
whelming part of process equipment and technolo-
gies (except for energy and minor support facilities)
are, too, of European manufacture. As to mechani-
cal consumables, the mills have a stock that will keep
them going for quite a long time, but many are al-
ready looking for the domestic counterparts. At many
mills, machine clothing, felts and other components
of the European manufacture are being replaced by
Asian counterparts, requiring super efforts on the
side of process engineers. Risks such as decrease in
product quality and underperformance will become
relevant over time.

– What would be the best strategy to follow in
this case?
– Solve problems as they come in. What should be
tackled in the first place is, of course, logistics chal-
lenges. There should be measures to support the in-
dustries, in the first place backbone enterprises. The
measures already in place should be adjusted and
more focus should be laid on industries operating
in Russian Far East and the Arctic. When it comes
to strategy, the first thing to do is facilitate domes-
tic manufacture of spare parts, components and con-
sumables. Next thing to do is find new markets, set
up domestic forest certification system, and foster the
development along the Northern Sea Route as a wa-
terway for shipping wood-based products to the Asia-
Pacific countries.