Post-December industry
When trying to find out about the huge chemical complex in Săvinești, i stumbled upon many interesting articles, talking about the past, present and future of the factory. One of them used a phrase which I think suits this plant very well - "Post-December industry". What is meant by that is naturally the Romanian revolution in mid-December of 1989, which overthrew Nicolae Ceaușescu - the Romanian communist dictator, known as one of the worst in the whole eastern block.
Since then, Romanian history is very simmilar to the one of Poland. Privatisation of factories, collapse of the industry, massive unemployment, and now the European integration and large economic growth.
Among all this turmoil was the Săvinești chemical complex, constructed in the late 1950s. It was producing synthetic yarns, fibers and rubber and was renowned in Romania - the products were used in anything from women's stockings to truck tires. Immediately after the revolution, the plant was privatised, and split into smaller companies, each tasked with different things. Some say the split is what lead to the collapse of the chemical factory, which used to employ over 10 thousand workers. Now it's mostly just ruins, although a couple of minor firms survived in this harsh enviroment.
A small part of the factory's remains can be seen here on the photo from the car's side window, which I took during our crazy chase behind the IR 1858 from Piatra Neamț/Bicaz to Bacău, headed by 60-1335. We had hoped that it would be possible to chase the train along the main road, but it turned out to be a task impossible for us.
Photo by Piotrek/Toprus
Post-December industry
When trying to find out about the huge chemical complex in Săvinești, i stumbled upon many interesting articles, talking about the past, present and future of the factory. One of them used a phrase which I think suits this plant very well - "Post-December industry". What is meant by that is naturally the Romanian revolution in mid-December of 1989, which overthrew Nicolae Ceaușescu - the Romanian communist dictator, known as one of the worst in the whole eastern block.
Since then, Romanian history is very simmilar to the one of Poland. Privatisation of factories, collapse of the industry, massive unemployment, and now the European integration and large economic growth.
Among all this turmoil was the Săvinești chemical complex, constructed in the late 1950s. It was producing synthetic yarns, fibers and rubber and was renowned in Romania - the products were used in anything from women's stockings to truck tires. Immediately after the revolution, the plant was privatised, and split into smaller companies, each tasked with different things. Some say the split is what lead to the collapse of the chemical factory, which used to employ over 10 thousand workers. Now it's mostly just ruins, although a couple of minor firms survived in this harsh enviroment.
A small part of the factory's remains can be seen here on the photo from the car's side window, which I took during our crazy chase behind the IR 1858 from Piatra Neamț/Bicaz to Bacău, headed by 60-1335. We had hoped that it would be possible to chase the train along the main road, but it turned out to be a task impossible for us.
Photo by Piotrek/Toprus