FKP Kazan Powder Plant is a large defense industry enterprise specializing in the production of gunpowders, charges, pyrotechnic products and other products. Over the 228-year history, millions of tons of explosives for various purposes have been released here.
Foundation of an enterprise
With the development of the eastern lands of Russia, the need has arisen for the construction of a powder factory closer to the main consumers: explorers, merchants, and miners. Kazan, which is located in the center of water and land routes, was chosen as the place for construction. Ammunition was delivered along the Kama to the Urals, then to Siberia, and along the Volga to the Caucasus and the Caspian.
Kazan powder factory started operating in 1788. Given the fire hazard of the enterprise, at first it was entrusted to people responsible and able to handle ammunition: soldiers and officers to work on it. Later, a specialized school was organized, where children of military personnel were taught dangerous crafts. Powder settlement was formed around the workshops, here workers were allocated allotments for housing.
Reliance of the Fatherland
Kazan powder factory was loaded with work during the military conflicts, which are rich in Russian history. Wars with Sweden, Turkey, Napoleon, the European campaigns demanded an increase in productivity. This was achieved by expanding production. The enterprise grew, new workshops were opened, and a railway was later conducted to the plant. In the first 100 years of operation, the plant produced 2 million pounds of gunpowder.
By the end of the XIX century, the bullpen carried out a number of modernizations and mastered the production of smokeless pyroxylin powder. Every year, the company produced volumes unprecedented for that time - up to 500,000 pounds.
Country of advice
After the chaos of the Civil War, the enterprise gradually gained momentum. Active rearmament in the 30s contributed to the development of material and technical base. Kazan met the second world powder factory fully equipped. Ammunition was sorely lacking. Day and night, without days off, workers released the necessary gunpowder and charges. Most of the men went to defend their homeland, women and teenagers stood up for the machines.
The war showed that the army needed more effective ammunition. The engineers of the Special Technical Bureau No. 40 undertook the development of new components. They created samples of “revolutionary” explosives with unique characteristics for that time. Gunners praised the products of the bullpen for reliability and the highest quality. The factory workers were especially proud of the charges for Katyusha.
Latest time
In the 90s, the company was faced with a lack of demand for products. The confusion in management led to the threat of bankruptcy. In 2002, the government decided to restore production. The Kazan State Treasury Powder Plant acquired its current name in 2002 after a major reorganization. In 2003, the much-needed 50-million subsidy was allocated, which made it possible to pay off debts and re-deploy the issue of ammunition. Today, the bullpen is a strategic factory owned by the federal government.
Emergency situations
For two centuries, an explosive incident has occurred more than once. History knows the fires that led to the massive detonation of ammunition in 1830 and 1884.
On August 14, 1917, a real catastrophe occurred - due to a fire, the Kazan powder factory literally took off. Director Lieutenant General Luknitsky, almost the entire administration, hundreds of factory workers, dozens of residents of the Powder settlement were killed. 10,000 machine guns, millions of finished shells were destroyed. It was necessary to establish production from scratch.
03/24/2017 in the workshop №3 detonated the charge, which frightened the residents of Kazan. Flaming flames and smoke cubes were visible from all parts of the city. People died.
Modernization
The powder factory (Kazan) was included in the list of defense industry enterprises, where it is planned to re-equip production by 2020. The last time a significant reconstruction at the bullpen was carried out 30 years ago. Director General Khalil Giniyatov claims that by 2020 it will be a modern, high-tech, safe plant for the production of high-energy powders.
At a number of sites, dozens and hundreds of workers replaced automated complexes. For example, in the nitration department, a new complex controls the operation of several key components: a hammer mill (pulp mill ), an acid wetter and a 20 cc reactor. Previously, all dangerous operations were carried out manually. Today, one operator in complete safety monitors the entire process on a computerized control panel.
Production
Kazan powder factory is actively working in the domestic and foreign market. It produces 100 tons of gunpowder per month. Production provides 2000 people with income.
For military needs, the bullpen produces:
- gunpowder of various kinds;
- paint and varnish production;
- nitromastics;
- other chemical materials for organizing the production of ammunition.
The bullpen also sells “peaceful” products:
- hunting and sporting cartridges;
- grounding anodes for cathodic protection of pipelines and underground metal structures.
The geography of supplies is vast. These are defense and civilian enterprises of Russia (Yoshkar-Ola, Izhevsk, Sarapul, Votkinsk, Klimovsk, Sergiev Posad, Lyubertsy, Khimki, Yekaterinburg, Severouralsk), Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Cyprus, Venezuela, India, Algeria, Uganda and other countries. For stable production of high-quality and safe products for consumers, the powder factory (Kazan) in 2012 was awarded the Tatarstan Government the highest award in the Quality Leader contest.