Building a high-margin, efficient business with a positive growth and development outlook
In 2014, Acron Group’s development strategy did not undergo material changes, and its key objective is still to enhance the Group’s competitive edge and efficiency. Acron Group seeks to become the most efficient NPK producer globally by leveraging its vertical integration and expanding capacity.
The Group’s development strategy is focused on balanced development. The Group seeks to dynamically develop its long-term investment programme without assuming the excessive risk of increased financial burden over the short- and mid-term. Due to a flexible approach to investment planning and the weakening of the RUB to USD exchange rate in 2014,
Acron Group was able to cut its net debt 11% in dollar equivalent.
1. Building an efficient and competitive business through vertical integration
Key Performance Indicators
Achievements in 2014
Next steps
Risks
Comply with licence provisions
Self-sufficiency in major raw materials
Complete projects milestones
CAPEX budget
Additional EBITDA for the Group
Phosphates Oleniy Ruchey mine
In 2014, the Group produced 891,000 t of apatite concentrate, up
39% year-on-year, including 180,000 tonnes shipped to third-party consumers.
Oleniy
Ruchey mine generated EBITDA of USD 30 mln.
The design process is underway
for the mine facilities. Specifically, the Engineering design of sylvinite
reserves development in the Talitsky area of the Verkhnekamsk potassium-magnesium
salt deposit was approved by the Federal Subsoil Resources Management Agency
(Rosnedra) in January 2015.
Construction and installation at the freezing unit is complete.
The main step-down substation Talitskaya-1 (110/6 kW) was commissioned.
Construction of temporary buildings and structures for ground freezing and
shaft sinking is underway.
The
design for the Talitsky mine facilities is complete; design documentation for
the mine construction and above-ground facilities are currently undergoing
state expert review.
Construction
of temporary buildings and structures for shaft sinking is underway, followed
by ground freezing and shaft sinking.
In 2014, Acron Group’s Russian facilities consumed an
average of 1,078 m
3
of natural gas per tonne of product,
down 0.6%.
In 2014, principal construction and installation work
was completed and comprehensive testing of process
equipment for rare-earth elements production commenced.
Total commercial output increased to 6.3 mn t from
6.1 mn t.
Compliance with corporate
principles and legal
requirements and most
significant recommendations
of Russian and international
corporate governance practices
Clear distribution of
responsibility among the main
management and supervision
bodies of the Group’s
companies
The annual general meeting approved the amended Charter
and the amended Regulation on Acron’s General Meeting.
The amendments reflect relevant requirements of laws and
the best practices of corporate management.
Contribution to economic
and social development in
regions where the Group has its
operations
Environmental impact
Industry and corporate awards were given to
1,948 of the Group’s employees.
Dorogobuzh commissioned a unit for secondary
sedimentation of biologically treated wastewater and a
wastewater feed line.
The total gross air pollutant emission by Novgorod-based
Acron and Dorogobuzh did not exceed permitted levels in
the reporting year.
In 2014, NWPC entered into an agreement on social
and economic cooperation with the Kirovsk municipal
administration. The Company will contribute RUB 41.6
mn for repairs and equipment for children’s and general
education institutions, development of the central square in
Koashva settlement, and fostering culture in Kirovsk.
All told, Acron Group invested RUB 79.2 mn in social and
economic development in its footprint regions.
