Polystyrene from plants in Valjevo, Nis and Srbobran - Austria's Austrotherm invested 18 million euros in Serbia

The Austrian manufacturer of thermal insulation materials Austrotherm has invested EUR 18 million in Serbia over the past eight years. That company, which recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of operations in our country, employs 120 people at its plants in Valjevo, Nis, and Srbobran.

- Austrotherm International set up a daughter company in Valjevo in 2001. We were first engaged in the trade in thermal insulation materials and then we had a EUR 4 million polystyrene production plant built in 2003 – said Dragomir Ilic, director of Austrotherm in Serbia.

Ilic stated that Nis-based Delta Matic was taken over in 2005 and that a plant in Srbobran was opened some time later, thus making it possible for the company to acquire the leading position in the market.

- The annual capacity of our plants is 700,000 cubic meters of polystyrene, but we produce between 350 and 400 thousand cubic meters per year, most of which is polystyrene for use in the construction industry. We sell about 10 percent of polystyrene to Montenegro, while 30 percent of the production are exported to the markets of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Ilic told eKapija.

- We plan to expand the cooperation with other structures in the branch in the following period, primarily with architects and investors. It is very important that architects get familiar with new materials and energy saving possibilities. We currently cooperate with the authors of the housing project in the location of former Stepa Stepanovic barracks. For example, Delta City in Podgorica is equipped with the sound insulation made of our material, which is the kind of insulation most facilities should have – Ilic explained.

Austrotherm also participated in numerous big projects in Serbia, including Usce Shopping Center, Delta City, Airport City, Belville University Settlement, Avala Tower, and many others.

The company presented its new product at this year`s Construction Fair in Belgrade – the panel for attic structures.

- Every year we launch a new product in the market of Serbia. This year we started producing panels for attic structures, made of polystyrene and plywood. We do our best to enrich our offer with products other than construction polystyrene, which is something all manufacturers produce – said Ilic.

Peter Schmid, the owner and director of Austrotherm International, stated that that company was trying to change the habits of consumers in Serbia by introducing the world practice of application of quality thermal insulation materials that save energy and contribute to energy efficiency.

Mr. Schmid said that that company had built about 5,000 passive houses in Austria in 2010. He is of the opinion that it is very important that such construction be introduced in Serbia, which is quite dependend on the import of energy. Schmid explained that passive houses enabled optimal temperature during both winter and summer and that no additional heating or cooling was needed.

- The average thickness of insulation in Serbia is 5 centimeters, while that average in Austria amounts to 16 cm. The EU Energy Efficiency Plan by 2020 also prescribes that the thickness of insulation be increased to 20 cm - said Schmid.

According to his words, the turnover of Austrotherm Internacional group, which has a total of 16 production plants in 10 countries, amounted to 276 million euros in 2010.

Schmid has been presented the plaque by Vice President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (SCC) Vidosava Dzagic for his previous investments in the development of the Serbian economy.

- The ten-year presence of the company Austrotherm in Serbia is the best message for all potential investors that Serbia is the place where they can develop a successful business. The company was investing in this country when Serbia was not even on the map of potential investors and when the state was not granting incentives as it is doing now – said Ms. Dzagic.

The celebration of the anniversary of Austrotherm was also attended by Valjevo Mayor Zoran Jakovljevic who presented a thank you certificate and a replica of the saber of Archpriest Mateja Nenadovic to representatives of the Austrian company.