Nefis Cosmetics: "We are actively engaged in the issues of raw material import substitution"
The Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan continues a new column of short interviews on TidaTalk. In it, our interlocutors from the investment sphere of Tatarstan talk in the format of a blitz interview about how things are going in 2022 and what new goals they set for themselves.
The next guest of the rubric was Nefis Cosmetics. The largest Russian manufacturer of household chemicals and cosmetics. The company was founded in 1855 and is one of the top 3 leaders in the production and sale of laundry detergents, detergents and cleaning products. The production complex is located in the city of Kazan. Products are sold in household chemical stores and supermarkets throughout the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Belarus and the CIS countries.
How have production volumes changed recently? Are there any difficulties with raw materials? What are your plans for 2022? Are you planning any innovations?
At Nefis Cosmetics, there is an annual organic growth in production volumes. For example, in 2021, the company produced 332 thousand tons of household chemicals, which is 12% more than in 2020. To date, the company does not experience a shortage of raw materials. The enterprise has a sufficient amount of previously purchased raw materials to produce products in the same volumes.
Of course, the team faces daily challenges caused by the market situation. But, due to the fact that Nefis Cosmetics has extensive experience in making prompt anti-crisis decisions, we cope with these obstacles.
Now we are actively engaged in issues of raw material import substitution. Previously, Nefis Cosmetics purchased alpha-olefins, components necessary for the production of quality surfactants, in the USA. There are enterprises in the oil cluster of Tatarstan that produce these products, but in a small volume. We really hope that they will be able to expand the production of alpha-olefins, then we will be able to purchase them in Tatarstan.
Every year, Nefis Cosmetics carries out a number of activities to modernize and reconstruct production facilities. The company plans to expand production and launch new products based on market needs.
So this year it is planned to complete a project to increase the production capacity of washing gels from 4.5 thousand to 11 thousand tons per month. For the implementation of the project, new molds for the production of packaging were purchased, new blow molding machines for the production of bottles were purchased, a new high-speed bottling line was ordered and is being manufactured using modern equipment.
The project will continue to modernize equipment for the production of surfactants, which will improve the quality of surfactants produced.
In addition to the traditional range - washing powders, washing gels, soaps, dishwashing detergents, cleaning products and technical products, the company is mastering the production of laundry capsules, hygienic cat litter, stain remover and others.
Last year, we launched a laundry capsule production project. Nefis Cosmetics own laboratory has developed a unique product formula. Modern equipment for production and packaging was purchased. In the future, the company plans to increase production volumes in this market category.
Capsules are produced in both traditional plastic containers and innovative recyclable packaging made from recycled paper. In the future, the company plans to transfer a number of categories to such eco-friendly packaging.