By Jaroslaw Adamowski
Astana — Polish PU foam and chemicals maker Selena has unveiled plans to expand into Central Asian markets through its plant in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
The Kazakh factory, operated by the company’s local subsidiary Selena Insulations, has 120 kT/year capacity for a number of products. Selena said it aims to raise its exports to neighbouring countries to 40% of the facility’s total production.
'In the long-term, more than 40% of the output will be exported to the Central Asian countries and southern Siberia,' Selena said in a statement.
The facility is in the Astana’s - The New City special economic zone which provides the manufacturer with preferential tax and customs treatment for its investment, as well as support from the country’s government.
The expansion plans come as Selena reported its record sales in the first half of 2017. In the first six months of this year, the manufacturer posted revenues of PLN 541m ($ 143 m), an increase of 18% compared with the first half of 2016.
Selena says that its improved financial performance was predominantly driven by higher sales in foreign markets. These rose by 40% in Russia, 30% in Turkey, and 25% in Kazakhstan, respectively. In its domestic market, the Polish company reported a sales increase of 10% in the January-June 2017 period.
In addition to its plant in Kazakhstan, Selena five factories in Poland, as well as its plants in Spain, Romania, Brazil, Turkey, South Korea and China, according to data from the manufacturer.
Set up in 1992, Selena is headquartered in Wroclaw, southwestern Poland.
