Bekaert Lipetsk Plant Expansion Strengthens Tire and Construction Supply
Bekaert plans a significant Bekaert Lipetsk Plant Expansion in Lipetsk, Russia. The company will invest about $24 million to add a new bead wire production line and increase tire cord manufacturing capacity. Together, these projects reinforce Bekaert’s role in tire reinforcement and construction markets across Russia and the wider CIS region.
New Bead Wire Line and Added Capacity
The Lipetsk plant now produces steel cord for the tire industry and Dramix® steel fibers for construction. With the new bead wire line, Bekaert will offer a full range of tire reinforcement products, from bead wire to tire cord. As a result, local and international tire makers gain more sourcing options from one site.
The expansion should create about 80 new jobs. In addition, Bekaert expects the extended plant to start production in the first half of 2022, which will help meet rising demand in automotive and construction sectors.
Strategic Role for CIS and European Markets
Bekaert announced the investment during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF ’21). The company noted that the Bekaert Lipetsk Plant Expansion will help the local team deliver more value to customers in Russia and the CIS. It will also position the Lipetsk plant as an export platform to European markets, which further strengthens Bekaert’s regional supply network.
Long-term Commitment to the Lipetsk Site
Bekaert first expanded into Lipetsk in 2008, when it committed more than €97 million to build a steel cord production plant in the Lipetsk Special Economic Zone. At that time, Bekaert already served Russian customers with tire reinforcement cord, steel fibers for concrete, and other advanced steel wire products from plants in Central Europe.
With Lipetsk, Bekaert localized production for Russia and the CIS. Initial production started around 2010, and additional capacity followed through 2013, which improved service and reduced lead times for regional customers.
Serving Russia, CIS and Beyond
The Lipetsk plant sits about 400 km south of Moscow and serves customers across Russia and the wider CIS region. Bekaert also runs a sales office in Moscow (opened in 1998) that supports a broad portfolio of advanced steel wire solutions for automotive, construction, and industrial applications.
With the latest Bekaert Lipetsk Plant Expansion, the company further strengthens its footprint and improves its ability to support both CIS and European customers over the long term.
