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Romania Chemicals
The chemical sector developed rapidly after World War
II and
especially after 1965. Before the war, it generated less
than 3
percent of total industrial output and its product list
was limited
to carbon black; hydrochloric and sulfuric acid; soda ash;
caustic
soda; and a few types of chemical fibers, paints, and
lacquers. By
the 1980s, the industry produced between 10 and 20 percent
of
industrial output and accounted for more than 25 percent
of export
earnings. The petrochemical branch was the heart of the
industry,
producing about half of total output. The largest
petrochemical
complexes were built at Ploesti and Pitesti, but numerous
smaller
production units were scattered across the country. With
new plants
at Turda, Tīrnaveni in Mures judet, Ocna Mures, and
Govora in Vīlcea judet, Romania became the largest
producer
of sodium- and chlorine-based products in Comecon after
the Soviet
Union. New sulfuric acid plants were built at Copsa Mica,
Victoria in Ialomita judet, and Navodari in
Constanta
judet.
In later years, Romania reduced its emphasis on bulk
chemicals
and focused on more sophisticated products, such as
special
plastics, synthetic rubber, chemical fibers, electrodes,
pharmaceuticals, dyes, and detergents. The government also
gave
priority to artificial fertilizers, building plants at
Valea
Calugareasca in Prahova judet, Fagaras, Tīrnaveni,
Navodari, Piatra Neamt, Victoria, Tīrgu Mures, Craiova,
Turnu
Magurele in Teleorman judet, and Slobozia. The
Eighth
Five-Year Plan (1986-90) called for doubling the
production of
agricultural chemicals.
Data as of July 1989
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