JSC «Volzhsky Abrasive Works»

History

In March 1958 the Government of the USSR made the decision about construction of Volzhsky abrasive works. The choice of the construction place to a large extent was motivated by the proximity to the sources of raw materials: Orlovsky sandpit on the right bank of the Volga became the source of silica sand, Volgograd petroleum refinery became petcoke source and neighbourhood of Volzhsky hydro power station guaranteed power for production.
It was decided to construct the plant due to increased demand of developing industry in grinding materials from silicon carbide and abrasive tool vitrified bonded.
Volzhsky abrasive works was planned as the largest plant in the world. Silicon carbide fusion volume was four times higher than in the whole country and vitrified bonded abrasive tool output was 50% of the country's total output in 1955.

The factory's construction started in spring of 1959. Factory's shops were put into operation step-by-step. In 1961the first stage of silicon carbide production shop was put into operation, it was the base for numerous types of abrasive materials and tool. The first batches of abrasive grain started to be delivered at the foreign market in 1962. The first customers were Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Cuba, Poland, Yugoslavia and Germany.
Crushing and screening shop and all buildings of electrosmelting shop were put into commission in 1963. Since 1965, more than 20 years, the plant was headed by Hero of Socialist Labour A. P. Klyukin. Under his direction in December 1966 the construction of micropowder production shop was finished. In September 1967 the first stage of abrasive tool shop of industrial capacity 10 thousand tons was brought into operation.
In June 1969 the construction of abrasive tool shop was finished. In 2002 abrasive tool shop produced 8118 tons of the tool. In 1981 carborundum production shop of industrial capacity 5 thousand tons per year was put into commission. The main products manufactured by this shop were refractory plates, flanged beams, refractory blocks.

In 1993 Volzhsky abrasive works became a public joint-stock company. Its production policy was aimed at product market expansion due to development of new products.