Donetsk, Jun 13 - DAN. DPR has relaunched the only welding electrodes manufacturer Arcsel which has been out of operation for more than two years because of Ukraine’s offensive and economic blockade.

DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko, acting Industry and Trade Minister Alexey Granovskiy and Arcsel director Oleg Ogorodnik attended the launching event on Tuesday.

“The products manufactured by this company are part of the republics’ important industrial output. We did well to launch it; from now on, we’ll have our own electrodes,” the DPR leader said.

Zakharchenko said the enterprise had been out of operation since 2014. Relaunching it required much effort, he said thanking the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Arcsel staff for their contribution.

The enterprise’s core product is welding electrodes for ferrous metallurgy and mechanical engineering. “We had to convert and upgrade production, “Granovskiy said.

Arcsel administration arranged a tour of the company for the DPR head and journalists. The enterprise now has functioning wire and electrical wire shops. Monthly output is expected to reach up to 40 tons. Arcsel has already signed contracts with the Donetsk, Yuzovskiy and Enakievo metallurgical companies.

Arcsel specialises in the production of welding electrodes for alloy- and heat resistant steel, non-ferrous metals and alloys, cast iron, low-alloy steel and manual arc cutting. It also produces wire. The enterprise, located in Donetsk’s Kievskiy district, is the only of its kind in DPR.*jk