Located in Naberezhnye Chelny in the Republic of Tatarstan, the groundbreaking facility is the first joint venture between the two companies. It was officially opened last Friday, 24 June, in a ceremony attended by Elena Skrynnik (Federal Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation), Ilshat Fardiev (CEO of Tatenergo), Antonio Ruy Freire (President of Animal Nutrition & Health) and Enzo Trimigliozzi (Vice President Eastern Europe, both DSM Nutritional Products).

The plant, which is the most advanced of its kind within the Russian Federation, will produce premixes for the animal nutrition and health sector. A large percentage of the raw materials for the plant is sourced directly from DSM manufacturing sites.

Ilshat Fardiev, CEO of Tatenergo, said at the opening ceremony: "This is a significant moment for Tatenergo, for DSM and for agribusiness in Tatarstan. It provides the basis for developing a state-of-the-art agribusiness in Tatarstan that will not only serve the needs of our own country but also make a major contribution to the animal health and nutrition sector of the entire Russian Federation. We are proud to have achieved this milestone in partnership with the world's leader in carotenoids, vitamins, enzymes and special feed additives and look forward to a long and fruitful co-operation with DSM Nutritional Products."

Leendert Staal, CEO & President, of DSM Nutritional Products commented: "Today sees the opening of a facility that fits perfectly with DSM's corporate strategy of operating in high-growth economies and through solid partnership. It is also pivotal in the plans of DSM Nutritional Products for growth within the Russian Federation, a market to which we are strongly committed within the framework of the expansion of our global network of premix plants."