Projects
PCC SE secures power supplies from renewable sources for its Icelandic silicon metal production facility, the commissioning of which is planned for the end of 2017/start of 2018. The project management company PCC Bakki Silicon hf., Húsavík (Iceland) was able to conclude a corresponding power purchase agreement with Iceland’s biggest utility, Landsvirkjun. The 58 megawatts required by the plant will come entirely from the output of hydroelectric, wind and geothermal power generators.
Chemicals
Further progress in the expansion of PCC’s Polyurethane Systems business is made in the first quarter of the fiscal year. PCC Prodex Sp. z o.o., Warsaw (Poland), has obtained approval in Germany for its PUR-based roof spray foam. This is applied in liquid form and then expands in seconds to create a seamless layer offering high insulation values. Newly founded PCC Prodex GmbH of Essen (Germany) is to market PUR systems in Europe’s Benelux and German-speaking countries.
April sees the stove, barbecue and hearth firelighters from PCC recognized with Poland’s “Brand of the Year” award in the Igniters category. The brand “Podpałki Czechowickie” produced by our Polish matches factory Fabryka Zapałek “Czechowice” S.A. thus takes its place as one of the most dynamic trademarks in the country.
Energy
Following some challenging construction work, PCC commissions three further small hydropower plants in the second half of the year at Galičnik, Brajčino, and Patiška in Macedonia. With these sites up and running, our Macedonian project company PCC HYDRO DOOEL Skopje has now four hydroelectric generators connected to the grid, enabling the supply of pollution-free electricity to 3,900 households.
Holding
The end of June sees PCC SE successfully place a minority package of shares in its subsidiary PCC Rokita SA on the Warsaw Stock Exchange while at the same time implementing a capital increase. Despite a difficult market environment, the private investor tranche is heavily oversubscribed with huge institutional interest. By the end of the year, the share price has increased by around 15 per cent versus the issue price of 33 złoty.
Chemicals
Following in the footsteps of PCC Rokita SA and PCC Consumer Products Sp. z o.o., in July PCC Exol SA becomes a fully fledged member of the environmental initiative Responsible Care. The surfactant producer also signs up to the UN Global Compact, an initiative of the United Nations for the promotion of sustainable development.
In August, Polish cleaning product and laundry detergent manufacturer PCC Consumer Products Kosmet Sp. z o.o. launches its new renewables-based product line Roko Eco onto the market. The line bears the EU Ecolabel.
Projects
Incisive progress with the project to establish a modern silicon metal production capability in Iceland: The Interministerial Committee of Germany’s federal government issues a preliminary confirmation of cover and the Municipal Council of Iceland’s Norðurþing district grants the construction permit.
Logistics
Installation of a new gantry crane and extensions to the railway sidings are completed in October at the PCC terminal in Frankfurt (Oder). As a result, PCC Intermodal SA is able to increase its annual handling capacity to more than 100,000 TEU (unit of measurement for 20-foot standard containers). December sees the expanded terminal officially inaugurated and handed over for service.
Energy
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) rewards the successful commissioning of the first three PCC hydropower plants in Macedonia. The bank financed the projects with a loan of €6 million. The incentive bonus granted in November reduces the sum by around €670,000. In May 2015, the company is awarded an incentive payment for the successful completion of another hydroelectric generator worth approximately €160,000.
Projects
In December, PCC SE signs a contract with Iceland’s Bakkastakkur slhf. regarding its participation in the financing of a planned silicon metal production plant in Iceland. This means that the project is now fully funded. The largest part of the capital expenditure amounting to some $300 million is secured through a loan granted by KfW IPEX-Bank based in Frankfurt, while one quarter of the amount is covered by Icelandic pension funds and by Iceland’s Íslandsbanki.
