Group DF (Kiev / Ukraine; www.groupdf.com) plans to invest up to EUR 3 bn over the next few years in an effort to consolidate and revitalise Ukraine’s petrochemical sector. The main focus of the investment arm of millionaire Dimtry Firtash will be fertiliser production, although the money will also go towards bundling and modernising of the sites in Rivne, Cherkassy, Severodonetsk and Gorlovka, including an upgrade of their integrated caprolactam, adipic acid and styrene – including a PS line in Gorlovka – plants. Firtash said he plans to make Ukraine’s petrochemical sector more independent while simultaneously launching exports to western Europe.

Through its share in Ostchem Holding (Vienna / Austria), Group DF already owns titanium dioxide producer Crimea Titan (Armyansk / Ukraine; www.titanexport.com) – see Plasteurope.com of 03.05.2012. After having started as a gas trader, Firtash’s activities now include not only Ostchem but also Centragas, a huge holding for all kinds of Ukrainian gas business and finances, Hungarian gas group Emfesz, gas plant manufacturer Zangas as well as a rapidly growing real estate arm.