7 Dec (NucNet): Russia’s Atomenergomash is to acquire Arako, the Czech manufacturer of valves and valve fittings for nuclear and other industrial plants.
Atomenergomash director Kirill Komarov said during a press-conference in Moscow this week that Atomenergomash, which produces components for nuclear power plants, would finalise the acquisition by the end of the year. He did not say how much the deal would be worth.
In Oct 2007 Atomenergomash’s subsidiary Intelenergomash bought 51 percent of Arako. “By the end of this year we are planning to increase Intelenergomash’s stake in Arako to 100 percent,” said Mr Komarov.
Mr Komarov also said that in 2008 Atomenergomash will continue purchasing machine building assets in Eastern Europe. Atomenergomash is negotiating with several companies from in Ukraine, Hungary and the Czech Republic, he said. “In 2008 we are planning several deals. In some cases it will be joint venture, in others purchase.”
In 2007, Atomenergomash invested more than 200 million US dollars (USD) (136 million euro) in the purchase of new assets. In 2008 it is planning to invest at least another USD 300 million.
Russia’s Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) said Arako is one of the best-equipped plants of its kind in Eastern Europe. In 2006, its output totaled 7.3 million euro. Key consumers of Arako products are Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Ukraine and Poland.
Rosatom said the plant has the capacity to produce fittings for one nuclear unit a year. Arako is currently operating at 40-60 percent of its capacity, Rosatom said.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Alstom Finalises Joint Venture With Russia’s Atomenergomash (News in Brief No. 16, 2 July 2007)
