10.07.2018
Please talk about why you chose Poland, and specifically Lower Silesia and Oława administrative district, to be the location of your investment.
The Godzikowice production facility will be our first foreign investment. We considered many locations, but the decisive factor was the location, which in this case is practically in the centre of Europe. The well-developed transport infrastructure and access to well-qualified workforce are some of the huge advantages of Oława administrative district. Also, since I started living in Poland, I’ve come to realise that Poles are an exceptionally resourceful, hard-working, and friendly nation. Personally, I’m very happy that Godzikowice was chosen.
What is the plan for the development? When will the facility launch its production activity?
In late May, we finalised the purchase of the plot where the production facility development will be located. Now we’re at the stage of obtaining the necessary permits and final works on the design of the whole facility. Everything is being conducted in accordance with the Polish law and requirements arising from the applicable regulations. We’re also adjusting our operational standards to those in force in Poland. When all documents have been obtained, we’ll start the construction process. We’re planning to start the works in late 2018 or early 2019. They’ll take about a year. Production will be launched shortly after the completion of construction works.
Please tell me what exactly the production facility will supply?
We are a technologically advanced company producing materials for lithium battery inserts. As one of three biggest suppliers of electrolytes in the world, we specialise in producing electrolyte and have many years’ experience in this field. We operate in accordance with the highest standards laid out by ISO9001 and TS16949. We’re going to produce electrolyte for lithium batteries used in electric cars. The total annual output can equip battery inserts for up to 1,000,000 (one million) new electric cars each year.
Electrolyte production seems to be complicated and burdened with a high risk. Will the facility’s activity affect the residents’ health?
Our facility will have absolutely no impact on the residents’ health. We have many years’ experience in the production of this material. Our production facilities and machines are specially designed, ensuring that no worker will have direct contact with materials we use for production. We operate in accordance with the highest standards laid out by ISO9001 and TS16949. Every stage for facility development and machine construction is strictly inspected. The whole production will be conducted in air-tight closed systems. All by-products will be appropriately secured and neutralised, while solid and liquid materials will be removed from the facility and utilised. The residents shouldn’t worry about anything.
And what if there’s an accident, a leak?
Not a single incident of this kind has occurred in the many years’ history of our activity. Our production facilities are appropriately constructed and secured. From the very beginning, our top value is our staff – their safety is the most important thing. Of course, we’ll be properly prepared for a possible failure. We have developed special procedures for such incidents. Having said that, our experience allows us to limit any risk to a minimum.
Are you going to seek employees in the administrative district? What will be the expectations towards the workers to be sought?
We’re definitely going to look for employees locally. Their command of English will be a considerable advantage – they’ll have to be at least communicative. We’re going to seek employees with experience of work at large production enterprises operating in the chemicals sector. The newly hired people will undergo relevant training to become prepared for work in their positions. We’ll inform the public about the recruitment using channels including our website. What’s more, we’re planning to cooperate with local universities and partners. In time, we’ll know new opportunities for cooperation and research.
What will be the administrative district’s additional benefits stemming from the development of your production facility in the area?
From the very start, we’re going to support the local industry with our operation. The activity of the lithium insert production facility will ensure materials which will be applied by European and global enterprises producing batteries for electric cars. The facility’s location in Lower Silesia will complement the European and regional network of the electric car industry. At the same time, it will strengthen the local market and make it more competitive and complete. A production facility this big will substantially impact the growth of the local economy through the influx of tax money to the administrative district’s budget and a wide employment offering for the residents of the area.
Thank you for the conversation and good luck with your investment project!
Thank you, too, very much. You’ll find more information about our activity on the website www.gthr.pl. Goodbye!
