Manufacturing plant for coal briquettes in Ub plans to double production - Innovative, eco-friendly product coming to Western Europe markets soon

(Ranko Scekic receives the 2016 Aurea Innovation Award from BRA Director Zvonko Obradovic) Ladjar Transport is the winner of the 2016 Aurea Innovation Award, a special award that is presented by the web portal eKapija as one of the annual Investment Of The Year awards. This company from Belgrade opened a manufacturing plant for coal briquettes in Ub in December 2015, and the award is a recognition of the company's unique application of new technologies to the production of this fuel.

- We are very satisfied that our project is recognized as it is really one of the kind in Europe. Given that we are pioneers in this business in both Serbia and the rest of Europe, this award provides a great help and a big boost in terms of introducing the public to our product portfolio - Ranko Scekic, the director of the manufacturing plant for coal briquettes in Ub, said at the 2016 Aurea awards ceremony.

The product of this factory stands out for its technical characteristics. Namely, coal briquettes produced in the plant in Ub contain maximum 0.79% of combustible sulfur, while Europe allows 1%. Other parameters that make this product unique are moisture percentage, calorific value, and the geometry of the briquettes.

The production capacity of the manufacturing plant that was opened in the industrial zone of the Ub municipality, on the premises of the Termoelektro Beograd company in bankruptcy, is 150,000 tonnes, and Scekic says that they intend to continue to invest and boost production in 2016.

- We are currently working on the first line of production. This product is intended for foreign buyers who have already showed a great interest. It is possible that we will double our production by the end of this year or in early 2017 - he underlined and added that that would ensure jobs for additional 90 workers.

At the moment, the plant in Ub employs 42 workers, and Scekic stresses that creating that many jobs in a small municipality as Ub is very significant.

(Photo: ladjar.co.rs/ugljeni-briketi)

Blend of innovation and sustainability

Coal briquettes that are made in Ub are produced from lignite coal dust from Kolubara Mining Basin and three organic additives. They are used as a replacement for the burning of solid fuels. Their use protects natural resources because coal dust is turned into an eco-friendly combustible briquette. Aside from solving a serious environmental problem, this product also meets the needs of large world markets which are the main target group of the Ub-based manufacturer.

- We are focused on foreign markets - Germany, Austria and other western countries where this product is scarce. Quality coal is in short supply in general, and our coal briquette is a replacement for the first category coal - said Scekic who worked on this project for eight years.

Although similar production already takes place in China, Russia, Bulgaria and Romania, Scekic stresses that their briquettes are different in shape and contain a higher percentage of sulfur and moisture. Some of these manufacturers, such as the plant in Bulgaria, are close to shutting down their machines because they can not meet the European criteria when it comes to the allowed quantity of combustible sulfur (1%).

Greater support to small and medium-sized enterprises

Ladjar Transport set aside about EUR 1.5 million from its own resources for the construction of manufacturing plant in Ub, with a capacity of 150,000 tonnes. Although the local authorities in Ub facilitated the implementation of this project, the state failed to support project in the form of a loan or an incentive.

- I believe that Serbia has a great potential for the deveopment of small and medium-sized enterprises. I am also of the opinion that the Government should equalize the local businessmen who invest their own resources in factories with foreign investors. Serbian companies too create new jobs and stay in the country permanently, which is why I think they deserve a greater support from the Government - said Ranko Scekic.

K.M.

Lađar Transport Beograd

EPS Rudarski basen Kolubara Lazarevac

Termoelektro d.o.o. Beograd

Opština Ub

Aurea

Aurea 2016

2016 Aurea Innovation Award

manufacturing plant for coal briquettes in Ub

Investment of the Year Award

coal briquettes

Ranko Scekic

combustible sulfur

Ub Industrial Zone

calorific value

moisture

the geometry of the briquettes

jobs in Ub

lignite coal dust

burning of solid fuels

eco friendly combustible briquettes

first category coal

coal export

coal as a fuel

coal briquette as a replacement for coal

investment in Ub