NIZHNEKAMSK, Russia (March 19) — Nizhnekamskshina, Russia´s biggest tire factory, is expanding capacity for car and truck radials with the financial support of a Russian oil company.
The company is investing $60 million to add capacity for 2 million steel-belted radial car tires per year, according to General Director Radic Ilyasov.
The new capacity will be on stream in early 2002, and will bring car tire capacity at the plant to 7 million units per year.
In a second phase of the modernization project, due on stream in 2003, Mr. Ilyasov said the company expects to create new lines for steel radial truck tires in sizes 17.5-, 21.5- and 22.5-inch, mainly for the domestic market.
Total annual output from Nizhnekamsk will remain at around 12 million units, including 4 million truck tires and 1 million agricultural and implement tires.