Dynamic Nickel Producer Illustrates Potential of Heavy Industry

Nickel producer Feni Industries serves as a benchmark for successful, high added value heavy industry in Macedonia. Now one of Macedonia’s biggest companies, Feni Industries has been completely revitalised since it was acquired by Cunico Resources in 2005.

CEO Konstantinos Daskalakis says, “Following Cunico’s technical additions and capital investment, the plant is now fully operational, with both lines running simultaneously. We will be able to produce more than 22,000 tonnes per year starting this year, compared to 5,000 tonnes in 2005.”

Feni Industries exports its nickel to Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxemburg, China, India, Korea and Taiwan. Last year the company achieved around €450 million in turnover with profits of around €60 million. A portion of Feni Industries’ nickel ore comes from Macedonia’s Rzanovo mine, which has ore reserves of 22 million tonnes. The ore is carried from the mine to Feni’s plant by a 36.5 km conveyor belt believed to be the longest in Europe.

Feni Industries plays a key role in the Macedonian economy and is well known for its corporate social responsibility programmes. Praising Macedonia, Konstantinos Daskalakis explains, “The quality of local human resources is very high and the government is supportive.”