The fire-fighting materials market in the media spotlight: StopCor’s investigation into Kovlar Group

The StopKor editorial office continues to systematically research the market of companies that provide fire protection and produce relevant products, especially in wartime.

According to information from the Ukraine Open for Business publication, the Ukrainian company “Kovlar Group”, which specializes in passive fire protection systems, plans to increase its presence in the Moldovan market and considers this direction as potentially stable for export – despite the negative reputation surrounding it.

It is also noted that their materials may be used at strategic facilities, in particular at Kyiv CHP and TPP, as well as at infrastructure facilities of power system operators and hydropower, which have received certification from a little-known laboratory. There are also suspicions about the ties of “Kovlar Group” with Russia.

Not so long ago, a journalistic investigation was published about entrepreneur Konstantin Kalafat and his company “Kovlar Group”.

During its activity, the company cooperated with state-owned energy and transport enterprises, as well as medical institutions. Journalists paid special attention to its activities in occupied Donetsk and possible trips of Calafat to Russia.

Journalists sent requests to verify the certification of Kovlar Group products, in particular fire-retardant materials under the Ammokote trademark. According to the provided samples, the products received a certificate from the “Center for Certification of Materials and Products”, and the testing was carried out by LLC “TEST”.

The editorial staff contacted several companies and organizations, in particular PJSC “Centrenergo”, PRJSC “UKRGIDROENERGO”, Darnytsia CHP-4, LLC “EURO-REKONSTRUKTSIYA”, KP “Kyivteploenergo” and NEK “UKRENERGO”, to learn about the use of materials of the TM “Ammokote” from Kovlar Group and the persons who make decisions about their use.

Some responses have already been received to the requests.

EURO-REKONSTRUKTSIYA LLC reported that the company is a strategically important critical infrastructure facility and, accordingly, cannot disclose information to third parties due to security threats.

UKRGIDROENERGO PRJSC reported that it needs more time to process the request, as it requires working with a large number of documents.

Kyivteploenergo KP in response emphasized the confidentiality of its internal affairs, noting that the publication of such information could threaten national security.

In turn, UKRENERGO NEC confirmed that their company uses Kovlar Group fire-retardant materials in the process of construction and renovation works, noting that the decision on the use of materials is made by the design organization.

Against the backdrop of numerous corruption scandals in the field of procurement for the energy sector of Ukraine, Kovlar Group considers criticism in the media as an information attack and an element of unfair competition due to the offer of its materials at low prices, which caused a negative reaction in the market.

The editorial team continues to investigate the situation around the company in order to understand the mechanisms of decision-making regarding the use of critical materials in areas that are important for the security and infrastructure of the country.