4 QUARTER 2020

th
SOCAR Polymer Newsletter / Issue 32 / 2020
IN THIS ISSUE:

11 3 26

In commemoration of Azad Bakirli 2020 year in review SOCAR Polymer launches two new
random copolymer polypropylene grades

36 38 42

Tensile Tester training held for Lab staff Fire Fighting Operational Readiness One workday through the eyes of a co-
Campaign worker

3,078,068 Man-hours LTI Free

1
The hard days are what
make you stronger

Dear colleagues, • Planned full-scale TAR activities this year have been
performed completely through our internal resources
2020. It has been a year full of unexpected events, limitations,
restrictions, struggle, and therefore, developments and The credit for these achievements goes to the entire staff
achievements. This year we have focused on what and I thank you for all your efforts that keep SOCAR Polymer
really mattered… for the population’s health and safety, strong. I am also thankful to the SOCAR Polymer employees
for economic survival and, desirably, development, for who joined the army in the 44-day war for Azerbaijan’s
accomplishing business goals, for contributing to the great dignity and territorial integrity to keep our country strong!
victory of the Azerbaijani people, and for extending support My most heartfelt condolences and prayers are with the
to and sharing the pain of our compatriots who sacrificed family of Azad Bakirli who sacrificed his life in this war. It is
their most for our Motherland. our collective wish that the memory of him be eternalized.
As the year continued to test us, SOCAR Polymer made some Needless to say, SOCAR Polymer is happy to extend every
achievements worth reiterating in an annual summary: possible support to the families of martyrs.

• SOCAR Polymer has kept up production and boosted sales This year, the word “solidarity” was filled with special
• In the first half of 2020, SOCAR Polymer has sold more meaning as we all stood united for our country and
polymers than in the entirety of 2019 supported each other during these unprecedented times!
• SOCAR Polymer is leading among the top ten non-state On 31 December, we will celebrate our national holiday, the
exporters in Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day with the greatest sense of
• SOCAR Polymer remains for the most of the year belongingness to our land as never before.
the biggest importer of Homopolymer PP to Russia,
supplying 40-60% of RF’s market demand for such It is foreseeable that the New Year will hold many
grades challenges and yet bright views for us. Let us tackle them
• Our local sales in 2020 have tripled as compared to 2019 with optimism, confidence and courage. Stay safe and well!
• Our local to foreign sales ratio is steadily growing
• There have been 35 companies and 3 physical persons With best wishes for the holidays,
among our local buyers in 2020 Fuad Ahmadov
2
3
 1-year anniversary of HDPE laun 5th anniversary of SOCAR Polymer and Maire
ch Tecnimont cooperation

members
French embassy representatives and executives of French
E n gineers Society
transnational companies visit SOCAR Polymer plants Petroleum R Polymer
visit SOCA

es
Wood scrap donation continu
Women’s day celebration at the
site office

4
 coronavirus
SOCAR Polymer shields off
risks

SOCAR Polymer brings Novruz

joy to
low-income families

SOCAR Polymer stories broadc

asted on television
channels

BAKU-BUZULUK: 1000 young trees

travel 2200 km

ternational
r su p p or t to the 1st In
Spon so ience
earch and Sc
Student Res
Conference

5
 hip received a
SOCAR Polymer directors
medal award SOCAR Polymer brought spri
ng holiday
joy to 300 families

SOCAR Polymer employees on

the Patriotic war fronts

6
 Polymer product range expand
ing – new HOMO and
HECO grades

T OF KARABAKH
SHUSHA CITY - HEAR
- RETURNED

Our colleagues deliver first necessity

goods collected for the army

ctivities
SOCAR Polymer brought joy
to low-income families on n e d s h utdown a
lan leted
Eid-al-Adha holiday Annual p lly comp
successfu

7
 ymer
SOCAR Polymer launches two new random copol
grade s ideal for thin-wall packa ging
polypropylene

r over
nducted fo
Laboratory team received a Tensile Tester operation training
d n e ss training co s
e
ng prepare r employe
Firefighti R Polyme
100 SOCA

HSE culture promoting award

winners

8
 Victorious end of
Azerbaijan’s
Patriotic War
S
tarted on 27 September 2020 in response to the latest military aggression of the
Republic of Armenia against our country, the Patriotic War under the leadership of the
Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev ended in the final victory of Azerbaijan
after 44 days.

As a result of the military actions, our army liberated from occupation a total of 300
settlements including the cities of Jabrayil, Fizuli, Zangilan, Gubadli and Shusha, the towns of
Minjivan, Aghband and Bartaz of the Zangilan region, the town of Hadrut and many villages
of the Khojavend region, the village of Sugovushan of the Tartar region, several villages of
Khojaly and Lachin regions, as well as important strategic heights in the direction of Aghdara,
Murovdagh and Zangilan regions.

The heroic liberation of the City of Shusha on 8 November 2020 - the 43rd day of the war -
played a crucial role in the war, and two days later a trilateral statement was signed between
Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia. According to the statement, the occupying Armenian forces
were supposed to leave Aghdam by 20 November, Kalbajar by 25 November and Lachin by 1
December, and Azerbaijan received a land corridor to Nakhchivan. Thus, the territorial integrity
of the Azerbaijan Republic was fully reinstated.

2802 servicemen of our army were killed in the Patriotic war. According to the information
from the Ministry of Defense as of 28 December, checking of the identity of 50 killed soldiers
is still ongoing. More than 30 servicemen are missing.

9
 SOCAR Polymer proud of
Azerbaijan’s heroes
H
aving joined the initiative of the Azerbaijan Republic’s President to honor
the memory of the martyrs of the Patriotic War with a minute of silence,
SOCAR Polymer suspended all work at the PP and HDPE Plant on December
4 at 12:00 and honored the memory of the martyrs with a minute of silence.
We are proud to note that 11 SOCAR Polymer employees have taken part in the
Patriotic War and fought shoulder to shoulder for the liberation of our lands from
the invaders. The names and positions of soldiers from SOCAR Polymer are
listed below:

ABBASOV ILKIN
OPERATOR

MIRZAYEV MATIN NOVRUZOV ROYAL

INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEER

MAMMADOV BABAK
WEIGHING-MACHINE OPERATOR
BAKIRLI AZAD
OPERATOR
ADIGOZALOV AYKHAN
PACKING AND DISTRIBUTION OPERATOR

MAHMUDOV TOFIG
NABILI MURSHUD OPERATOR
OPERATOR
ALIYEV SAYYAD
CONSTRUCTION, RIGGING AND LIFTING The SOCAR Polymer Team is proud
SUPERVISOR of and will be grateful to each of the
Azerbaijan Army soldiers for life.
Unfortunately, one of them, our
colleague, Azad Bakirli, died because
of his wounds and rose to the pinnacle
of martyrdom. A crowded funeral and
mourning ceremony for Azad took
place on December 25.
We bow in gratitude before the
souls of all our martyrs, including Azad
who gave his life for the freedom of his
Motherland.
ALIMAMMADLI MAHAMMAD NAZAROV ALI May the Lord have mercy on all our
FORKLIFT DRIVER SENIOR ACCOUNTANT martyrs!
10
In commemoration of
Azad Bakirli
It has been a victorious war, one that brought a new life to millions of Azerbaijanis all over the world, but also it was a
very tragical war as it took away lives of thousands of our countrymen, friends, and relatives. We have lost a colleague,
a good man, a young soul… The pain from human losses is indescribable…
Some of us have known Azad Bakirli personally, some have been very good friends with him, while some never
happened to meet, cooperate or communicate with him. However, all of us want to hear his friends and teammates
share their memories of Azad, because a person can live in people’s memories forever.
Here, on these pages, our colleagues are sharing with us their thoughts and feelings, as well as the brightest memories
of the time when Azad was among us.

Azad was one of the first to be called to the army to fight in our
second Patriotic War and free Azerbaijan lands from invaders.
He performed his military duty with dignity. Unfortunately, the
enemy’s bullet caught him…
Everyone remembers him not just as an Operator or just a
SOCAR Polymer employee, but as a responsible, hard-working
and responsive person, one who led the way, never afraid of
hardships, and ready to learn something new. He had many a
personal quality which made him not just an outstanding, but a
very memorable person. Always friendly to everyone, he would
always smile, ready to help and console any minute, to crack
a joke and laugh. When we heard he was missing without any
following news, we all tried to find him by involving people we
knew at the front. Unfortunately, the truth was very saddening.
He became a martyr. Azad’s death is a big loss, both for the
SOCAR Polymer staff and for all his friends. On behalf of SOCAR
Polymer, his colleagues and teammates, and on my own behalf, I
extend most sincere condolences to Azad’s family and dear ones.
We are all in mourning.

Rauf Davudov
Head of Operations department where Azad worked as a I met Azad Bakirli when we were told to select one person from
Plant Operator (Extruder Field) the Bagging unit team for the position of a Plant Operator. At that
time, they were stationed in a SCIP building. There, we conducted
a small test with simple questions asked. Most important was
personal interest and willingness to switch to a new job.
That’s where I saw Azad first. An amicable and positive young
man. He had the gift of the gab. He also expressed wish to work
in the HDPE section. Having received his line-manager’s positive
recommendations, I took Azad to my team.
From the very first day he established good communication with
everyone. I liked his responsible approach to work and fast learning
skills. He was a good team-worker and knew how to stay positive
using jokes. When we planned an event outside of work hours, he
would gladly take the lead.
He loved his motorcycle, but due to his poor eyesight he seldom
rode it. It had been a while since he bought a new motorcycle.
When he told me that he was attending trainings and then would
go to the war, I got really worried because I knew Azad well
enough to foretell that he would always volunteer for any task,
no matter how difficult or dangerous. He never refused any
assignment. Knowing this quality of his, I was very worried about
him all along.
It is very hard for me to speak about Azad in the past tense.
He will always remain in my heart as a positive and ever smiling
Azad.

Niyaz Mammadov
HDPE Offsite Lead

11
 One can speak about Azad for hours. I haven’t had much time to image area of the sender. I rushed happily to open the message.
put it all down, but I couldn’t fail to mention the following. But it wasn’t from Azad. I got very frustrated and spoke very
harshly to the person calling. Only later I realized I was doing
He was the most good-natured and friendly person in our team. him injustice. True, the man assured me later that he accepted it
He could establish and maintain warm relations with everyone. From with understanding and took no offence.
the turnstiles to the Control Room, he greeted everyone on his way.
“Gadddan alim” was his favourite phrase. He was on very good terms I think the memories about Azad will live with us forever. We will
not only with the 2 colleagues in his shift, but also with other shift miss Azad very badly. Motherland is worth it all, but Azad was such
teams. He was also very sincere with our foreign employees telling a person that speaking of him, no matter to whom, we always smile
them the translated version of his favourite phrase – “I will take your even though we know he has died. He would always smile, always be
Gada” (“gada” meaning “trouble, misfortunes” in Azerbaijani) – and positive, always be kind...
they got used to it. They, too, are strongly affected by Azad’s death… it
is hard to believe he is gone… Vugar Abbasov
HDPE Shift Supervisor in Azad’s team
As you may know, Azad was responsible for the Extruder area.
The pellets’ parameters are important for getting a proper final
product. He would personally calculate the pellet samples collected
for laboratory testing. He hated giving someone trouble and was
trying to help even in duties that weren’t his own… It is very hard to
believe he is no longer with us…

As you may have heard, there was no news of Azad for 62

days. Our colleagues even packed into two cars and drove to the
front to get news about Azad. His colleagues did their best. For
60 days all our thoughts were about Azad only. We couldn’t even
properly rejoice at the news of victory. We all were preoccupied
about Azad. We have an unwritten law: whoever gets a promotion
brings some sweets or a cake to celebrate the occasion in the
night shift. It has been 2 months since some colleagues got
promotions, but nobody is celebrating because nobody is in the
mood to. They have known Azad for 2 years. Not even 2-3 years,
like us. “Not without Azad. Let Azad return, Allah willing, and we
will celebrate together” – one of the teammates texted me. Many
guys then posted Azad’s photo in their WhatsApp statuses or
profile pictures. At such a critical and uneasy time anything can
happen. I got a chat message and saw Azad’s photo in the profile

12
 The eight of us had formed a friendship to last for a lifetime. Afat Want to tell you about his special present to me and Afat.
Gayibova, Gunay Asliyeva (former employee), Ali Gasimli (OPS), Although we weren’t always able to meet up, he made a wonderful
Nail Aliyev (OPS), Zaur Shukurov (OPS), Eldar Omarov (OPS), surprise on 18 May 2019. It was a very valuable gift to us. A moral
Azad, and I. All in the same environment, we have witnessed our gift. He had a painter paint it. Its presentation was original, too. We
opinions and interests match. We had a perfect friendship of 8 will keep his gift forever.
people.
Gunel Allahverdiyeva
I want to talk a little about Azad’s personal qualities. He was the Shift Supervisor, Technology dpmt
most understanding of us all, trying to accept everyone, to present
people in the best light and change negative perceptions to positive
ones. He never said No to anyone. To us he was particularly sensitive.
Whenever we had problems, he offered support. He would always Owing to his amicability, diligence in work and good nature,
show respect and give good advice. Azad had won his colleagues’ respect. We waited impatiently for
Azad to return safe and sound from the war, and we were stricken
There is hardly a person who remember Azad in negative light. by the tragical news of his death.
He always radiated light and gave smiles to everyone familiar or
unfamiliar. On October 9, 2019 he had posted a status note reading “It is
better to live one day Azad (his name literally meaning Free), than
He often came to the laboratory. He loved his job. He was an to exist as a slave for 40 years”. Azad demonstrated a good example
Operator in the Extruder area. His love for work was strong. He was of heroism and patriotism aimed at protecting his people’s and
one ready to work round the clock. Always performed his work to motherland’s freedom at the expense of his own life.
the best standards. Didn’t like to be reprimanded. He was about to
get a promotion, and he deserved it. Too bad, he left this world too Martyrs never die. On the contrary, they gain an eternal life. Now,
early. Azad’s soul is free up in the skies above his Motherland.
May paradise be your home, Azad. Martyrs shall never be
We made joint trips to Guba and Gusar towns. He acted as though forgotten.
he was our brother attending to our needs on the trip. He always
tried to explain everything. By the way, he was a happy owner of a Gunel Maharramova
motorcycle. Laboratory Analyst

13
 Thinking of Azad’s death, I always get upset. It hits me that Azad
is gone, he is not in this life anymore, and I won’t meet with him
again. As Azad’s close friend, I knew about his dreams and plans
for the future. At this age, I have few friends. I cannot call everyone
a friend. Azad was a close friend of mine. Remembering him I feel
terribly bad for him. It is a destructive feeling.
The Narimanov district reminds me of Azad a lot. We would
often meet there, talk, walk, and dine at a restaurant there. Azad
lived there nearby, so, we often met there. It was close to my place,
too. So, we would meet there and discuss things… about our future
steps and any other issues, problems. We also met there with other
friends, all together. So, now passing by those places in Narimanov,
I get very upset. I remember Azad.
Our first acquaintance was at SOCAR Polymer. I first came to work
on 4 December 2017. Azad came on December 6, 2017, if I am not
mistaken. Upon entering the room, he shook hands with everybody.
There were 25 people in the room. I thought the man was doing
what was best for his own business networking purposes. In time,
I realized it wasn't so. I often heard him say “Perfect”. He, too, was a
'perfect' man himself.
What a big heart he had, what a kind heart… what a noble man.
Azad had indescribable qualities.
My first impression of him was neutral. In time, it developed into
friendship. We had worked together for 3 years and had become
very good friends. He was very supportive to his friends. Not only
to friends, but also to everyone around. He either did someone good
or just did nothing. My friends are like that. Meaning, we like to be
friends with backboned people. That was Azad’s rule in life.
I miss him a lot, miss our walks. When he patted me on the
shoulder, I felt like he was an elder brother to me. I had always
wished to have a brother. Instead, life gave me very good friends. At
work, I have some good friends like Nail and also a few outside my
workplace. They are like family to me although we are not related
by blood. But Azad’s absence saddens me terribly. The memories
whirl in my head. I may be having lunch, and suddenly I remember
Azad. He liked salty food. When I use much salt, I remember Azad
and feel very low. I miss him badly. Very often I do. I pray for him
every day. Every day I ask Allah to rest Azad’s soul in peace. He
was a very good person, a very valuable friend, brave, fearless. Any
positive word can be attributed to Azad. His favourite target was to
build a handsome body shape. He did sports and wanted to always
be in shape. Whenever he gained some extra kilos, he took up a diet.
He liked to always surround himself with good people. He loved tall
girls. Ones who had a freckle on a cheek. His biggest dream was to
meet and marry a fair-skinned girl with a freckle.
What he disliked was double-faced people. He kept away from
false-faced people. There were some other things he disliked, but
I won’t go into details. His family was a standard Azerbaijani one.
They had lost the head of the family a year before, very abruptly.
Azad’s mother was very attached to Azad. He loved his brother’s and
sister’s children very much. He was very much into having children.
I would always say “If you treat nephews like that, I can imagine
what a father you will make”. He was very open with kids. He had a
child-heart himself. He was 3 years older than me. Despite that fact,
he was much like a child at heart. Very pure. He let absolutely no
grudge, no envy into his heart.
He had many acquaintances and was on good terms with
everybody. Apart from that, he had friends. Some of them were
friends made at work – of both genders. Mostly those whom we
spent a lot of time with. There were also friends from university and
from the previous workplace. He had friends in his neighbourhood
in Narimanov. He highly valued each friend and treated everyone
individually. Next to him one felt noble, too. Next to Azad, I felt
appreciated – so much value he gave to a person. Reading everyone's
memories about Azad will make many people regret that they
hadn’t met Azad personally. When Azad was with us, I personally
felt very appreciated because Azad made people feel so.
Azad had majored in Information Technology at the Azerbaijan
University of Architecture and Construction. He was a very hard-
working person and had beautiful plans for the future. He worked
with patience. He was a very patient person, a reserved one. He knew

14
 some English, but when he came to SOCAR Polymer, he took up English
courses for improvement. He learned with patience, including for the
driver’s license exam. He studied diligently for the exam for about a
year, using different books and online resources. He always worked
patiently towards his goals, wouldn’t rush, just worked on it little by
little. Looking at him, people got a sense of peace. His behaviour put
people to rest. Regarding career, he wanted to move forward in future
and looked for opportunities to work abroad.
He didn’t give us any specific information about the battlefront. He
just said “Don’t worry, I am gonna return safe and sound.” But he didn’t.
Unfortunately. Azad said that everything would be good, even super:
“The victory will be ours; we won’t let the enemy to gain the upper
hand, we will stop them”. Despite his -5 eyesight, Azad volunteered for
the army, saying, he must serve as a soldier. So, he volunteered for the
war, fought, and died as a hero. After Azad’s death I think that martyrs
are at such a high level to rise to which one should be as good a person
as Azad was. He had a simple life, both simple and beautiful at the
same time. His life was logical and peaceful. He drove a motorcycle,
walked, talked, and laughed. When we walked with him, every 2 of
3 people we met would approach to greet him. We have made very
pleasant memories. Countless memories, indeed. There have been
many situations that make me laugh when I remember them. I want
to narrate a few.
Once I was unwell at work. Azad noticed I wasn’t in good mood.
At lunchtime, he played a song by Dua Lipa that I liked, and we
danced in the lunchroom for a few minutes. He had suggested
dancing just to cheer me up. That happened in 2018. One of the
managers saw us dancing and even applauded in approval. We felt
kind of embarrassed there again.
Another funny story: I promised him a mug as he had broken his.
So, I promised buying him a much better one to use at workplace.
The new mug was a chameleon and the heat of liquid poured into
it exposed his favourite phrase “I will take you ‘gada’ (‘=trouble’)”
in English. He used the mug for a week and kept mentioning to
everyone that I had given it to him. And guess who dropped the mug
and broke it? He did. Everyone laughed as it was a funnily awkward
situation there, but Azad certainly regretted losing the mug.
Azad was a good friend. Memories of him are too many to tell all.

Ali Gasimov
Field Process Lead Operator

15
 It was December of 2017. At that time the Laboratory and
Bagging teams temporarily used the office of the Sumgayit Chemical
Industrial Park. I first met Azad there. He had just started working
as a bagging unit operator. Our two teams jointly bought a New Year
tree for the office and decorated it. Once I was standing by the tree
rearranging the decorations on it. Azad approached the tree and
helping me re-decorate initiated a conversation. It was our first
acquaintance. Azad was so good at establishing communication. He
easily found common language with new people as if he had known
them for ages.

Later, when our plant was launched his position changed to an

HDPE plant operator, and he often brought samples for testing at
the Laboratory. To other plant operators bringing samples to the
laboratory, I only say hello and pass by, whereas when Azad came
to the lab we spoke as good friends. He had such a good manner
of conversing that any person felt special and appreciated when
talking to him.

Azad always stood out with his friendliness, good nature, smiling
face and originality. He will live on in our hearts.

Sevil Khalilova
Quality Control Team Lead

In commemoration of the ‘Extruder-man’ of Shift 2...

"May death not rejoice"...
We would have never imagined that we would take a pen to
write down our memories about Azad, because we believed such a
life-loving man as Azad wouldn’t be hurt by life…
He was a man capable of comforting those around even when in
trouble himself… Now there is nobody to comfort us… It’s hard to
believe he is no longer with us… we still can’t believe it… Our amicable
friend, our only consolation is that your soul is smiling down at us
from the skies… It is impossible to think of you without smiling…
We smile through tears remembering the time when you were with
us…. We had only hoped for a miracle… but it did not happen… You
preferred your native soil to everything else in this world…
You are our motherland’s hero who sacrificed his life to liberate
us all from sad longing for our native lands… You are our hero!
May paradise be your eternal home, may your soul rejoice, our
kind friend and brave soldier!
We met only recently and lost you too soon, but we shall keep
you in our memories for life…

Nigar Gafarova
Senior Laboratory Analyst
Laboratory shift supervisor
Shehla Aliyeva
Senior Laboratory Analyst
Aygun Mammadova
Laboratory Analyst

16
 Hearing Azad’s name brings a smile to everyone’s faces. He was
a person who had won everyone’s respect and regard. He was one
of the favourites at gatherings outside work. He was very attentive
to everyone, gave good advice, and supported with motivating
words.
There are countless memories of him, both work-related and
those from external events, but all of the memories are valuable to
us. Every moment of the time spent together with him as a team
and friends is branded in our minds as good memories. If we had
a chance, we would love to live each of those moments again with
Azad among us.
I met Azad at the laboratory. I had newly joined the shift-2 team
and he greeted me very nicely and warmly.
Even at challenging times, he stood tall and kept smiling, always
showing everyone what a strong personality he had. In life, too, he
always held his head up high and never gave up. It was important to
him to always move forward.
Calling from the frontline, he promised many of his friends to First of all, I should note that work by shifts differs from daily work
take them on a motorcycle ride. Most importantly, he had promised not only by the fact that it includes a night shift, but also by involving a
us to return safe and sound. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able greater degree of togetherness. To work together, to get tired and rest
to. Always a master of his word, this time Azad sacrificed his life together, to share meals, and so on make it different. My acquaintance
heroically for his motherland. with Azad started on the birthday of our colleague. On hearing Azad’s
Every moment lived with Azad among us has become a legend. name, everyone’s face lightens up with a smile. He was a youth who
We are very happy that such a brave, pure-hearted person, a buried his pain deep in his heart. There is an episode for which I shall
loyal friend has passed through our lives. How fortunate we are to never forgive myself. To be more exact, it was a conversation.
have known Azad. + hey, guys, let’s meet up before the lockdown gets harsher
We are proud of him and bow before his soul. He has occupied a - that will make too many meetings
special place in our hearts and will always remain there. + one never knows, Azad. – I said and we never gathered up.
Azad had a bright personality. One may think that everyone
Aysel Ismayilova calls him patriotic just to be nice to the deceased, but he truly was
Laboratory Analyst a remarkable patriot. There was no talk, no conversation, at the
end of which he would fail to mention motherland, occupied lands,
weapons, or fight. Azad was a persistent type, and that persistence
probably drove him far ahead to the most severe battle spots.
It is very hard to write about Azad in the past tense.
Azad was the kind of person worth being proud of. I am so happy
to have known a youth like him, to have worked with him in the
same shift. Azad has been someone I came to know too late and lost
too soon.

Zarifa Amiraslanova
Senior Laboratory Analyst

By means of this publication, I would like to share my

thoughts about Azad Bakirli. I have known Azad for about 2
years. I can confidently say that he one of the most sincere and
honest people I had met. It is very hard to talk to him in the
past tense: Azad will always live in my heart as my friend and
junior brother.
Azad told us he served at Murovdag. His uncle, too, had fought
in the first Garabagh war. Azad was a patriot. Talking to him about
the battles of the past war, I could see how much he wanted to
participate in the liberation of our lands.
I regret that I haven’t been able to go to the front with him. I
loved him as if he were my own son. May your soul rest in peace,
Azad. I bow before your soul. Forgive us, Azad, we haven’t been able
to save you.

Mubariz Mammadov
Plant Operator (Field Pump)

17
 Azad had always had a nice expression on his face and will
remain in our memories as such. My personal acquaintance with
him took place in 2018, in shift two. Soon, we became not only same
shift members and colleagues, but also friends and family to each
other. From the first day of his joining our shift, he earned respect
and regard of everyone around. He treated everyone with attention,
friendliness, and care. Even on the toughest and exhausting days
at work, he spoke words that elevated our spirits and motivated
us. On every holiday he would write his best wishes to us on the
submitted sample pellets bags (see the enclosed photo). Azad was a
person without whom we imagined no gathering or fun event.
Even in the face of troubles, his love for life never faded. He had
such a big and pure heart, that his eyes could only see beauty in all.
He had a wish of going on a train journey around the world.
Azad was a fighter type of person. Even in everyday life he would rush
forward to protect his friends from problems. In the second Patriotic
war, too, he demonstrated bravery and rose to the pedestal of a martyr.
He had promised to us that he would liberate our lands and
come back to tell us many interesting stories about battlefields.
Unfortunately, he was only able to keep part of his promise. We have
lost a precious friend in him. Now we can only talk about him and so
we will. He has left us plenty of unforgettable memories.
Born in the years of the first Patriotic war, Azad participated in
Azad Bakirli and I had similar jobs. We worked shoulder to the second and left this world, as if he had come to this world for
shoulder. Azad was not only a co-worker to me, but also a very that purpose.
close friend. We were very frank with each other. We had shared a
lot. One of Azad’s biggest dreams was to create a happy family. He Zulfiyya Musazada
would always say that he wanted to find a girl who would respect Laboratory Shift Supervisor
and value his mother as much as he did. His mother was always a
priority. We had many joint dreams and plans, too. Unfortunately,
many of this young man’s dreams remained unfulfilled. Realizing
it makes me sad. There are many places on the way home from the
plant, where we often sat discussing what troubled us. Passing by
those places now keeps reminding me of Azad.
There had been many occasions when we had a good laugh.
So many, that I don’t even known which occasion to choose for
an example. He would often joke about my reluctance to eat
chocolate. He would always crack a joke about it, and we would
laugh. It is a pity that he is no longer with us and we cannot talk
and laugh together again. It is really hard to realize that your co-
worker whom you worked closely with at the same plant and the
person you had considered a brother is gone. Sometimes I find it
very hard to accept. We had created many good memories, some
related to the work environment, and I can describe them to you
by showing one photo. I will never forget that day. It was 22
February 2020.
Another bond that tied me to Azad was the fact that we had
graduated from the same Azerbaijan University of Architecture
and Construction, only with different majors. At times, we had a
good time sharing funny stories from our university years. Azad
was a very dear person to me. He had a favourite phrase which
many have probably mentioned to you already. He would often say
“Gadan alim (I’ll take your trouble), don’t do this task, I will do it”.
Azad was really an ardent patriot. Whenever we talked on the
topic of military service, he said he would be among the first to
leave for the front. And that’s what happened. The war started,
and Azad was among the first to join the army. Azad was truly very
brave and fearless.
No matter how much I talk today, I won’t be able to describe My first dialogue with Azad had been on top of the extruder
Azad fully. While he was in the army, we talked whenever we had building as we were watching the sun rise. He said: “People get born
a chance. He had sent me a voice message saying “Elnur, finish all into this world, live and, shortly, go to another world of eternal life.
your task before I return. Don’t postpone them”. I said “Sure, Azad, Once born, a person lives forever”.
I will. Just return safe and sound”. He was a responsible employee. He had thoughts and approaches different from common
I strongly regret it that he hasn’t come back. I have his last voice standards. Being nice to everyone, he left pleasant memories in
messages. He said “Elnur, don’t worry about me, take care of people’s minds and left this world too soon.
yourself.” It is really painful to write and talk about him. He could unexpectedly come up and give you a hug with his
May Allah accept you in his kingdom, Azad. Your death has favourite “Gadan alaram!”
saddened us all immensely.. May paradise be his home. Azad was an uncommon kind of person.

Elnur Ibrahimov Samir Mursalov

HDPE Extruder Field Operator HDPE Polymerization Field Operator

18
 Azad was, perhaps, the most positive person at our plant.
There was hardly a single person who had been offended by
or at odds with Azad. His favourite phrase at work was “gadan
alaram”. When an Indian colleague in our laboratory asked the
meaning of it, Azad translated it as “I will take your gada” and
we all laughed because he deliberately left out the word ‘gada’
which means ‘troubles’. We mostly miss these positive qualities
and smiles of his. I first met Azad on my first day at work in
the Laboratory. He approached and greeted me very politely,
introduced himself, welcomed me and gave me his phone
number offering his assistance whenever needed. We became
friends. Later, I joined the Operations team. He often walked to
the Extruder area with me, offered to watch the sunrise at 5 a.m.
That was his favourite spot at the plant.
He couldn’t talk much about the developments at the front
because of the war secrecy and all, so, he would just say the whole
army were advancing fearlessly. One of my friends was in the
same war zone as Azad. He told me that Azad was very brave and
volunteering for every task.
I am pretty sure that his garage was his favourite place. He
would often talk excitedly about the countless modifications he
made to his motorcycle. He loved it. I remember once he came
complaining he had been unfairly fined by the road police for
nothing. )) We asked questions to figure out the segment of the
road where it happened and replying to us he concluded that he
had indeed been driving opposite the traffic direction there! )) We
had a good laugh there. )
When we discussed his love-life topic, I would ask: “Why aren’t
you getting married?” And he would say: “I cannot find anyone
with matching height. )) Where can I find a girl who would look
good next to a 1.90 meter tall guy? )) As he was tall, the team would
always have him take our selfie pictures and that must have been
pretty annoying. ))
There have been so many curious stories, good memories with
Azad… Can’t cover them all. These have been some I wanted to share.

Famil Agayev
Plant Operator (Offsite & Active Field)

Thinking of Azad, I remember him smiling, full of life and because he rarely used the phone there.
giving no trouble to anyone. They say a person cannot be liked by Azad was a lad full of life. He had no particular dislikes except
everyone. So, why is it that Azad could be? I have always noted that one: he didn’t want his future wife to be short, as he was tall himself.
he was one of the few people I had known to have no problems with This summer had been very engaging. Our team members went
anyone. There can be many problems at work, sometimes there are to the beach together and had many fun days. Who knew those
disagreements and even heated arguments, but Azad’s brief “Gadan were our last days with Azad?
alaram” phrase and innocent look would cool anyone down. That
look and phrase are the first things that pop up in the head. Tural Khanahmadov
What I miss most about Azad is our sitting in “Shaurma №1” Former SOCAR Polymer employee
and discussing work-related events, or meeting with old colleagues (Reactor Control Room Operator)
(including Azad) for a picnic and light joyous conversations.
Once we agreed to gather up with Azad and Famil. Azad didn’t
feel like going out, but I insisted, and, on his way (he drove a
motorcycle), he got fined by the road police. You should have seen
the funny expression on his face when he arrived. We all, including
himself, had a good laugh.
Our first acquaintance occurred in SOCAR Polymer. In fact, it
would be a lie to say that I liked Azad at first glance. He seemed
way too polite which was somewhat weird to me. His often “Pardon
me” and “Excuse me” phrases even annoyed me. Then, however,
his behaviour, purity of heart and politeness won everyone’s heart.
Seriously, I had never before seen anyone brought up so well.
At work, we were part of the same team and did a lot together.
Outside of workplace, we would meet and lunch together almost
every weekend.
Regarding his career, he had only informed that he used to work
at an underground railway station. Also, I remember him teaching
me how to tell a train heading to the “Darnagul” station from one
heading to the “Icheri-Sheher” station by looking at the codes on
the train cars.
He hasn’t been able to tell us much about his military service,

19
 I started working for SOCAR Polymer in September 2017. I met
a lot of good and kind friends here. Azad was one of my dearest
friends in that group. I met him first when I started working in
SOCAR Polymer laboratory.
I had an unforgettable trip with Azad. In August 2018, we
went to Laza with Shift 2 Lab colleagues... Sometime during
the trip, we played a game called “Him-jim”. At his insistence,
I also attended. We both were on the same team in the game
and although we lost the game, it was a good moment that we
enjoyed unforgettably.
His main activity was translating for me into English, and he
explained to me about the places we travelled to. He did not hesitate
to do so. He always kept a smiling face and I always got a positive
energy because of his smiling attitude when communicating with
him.
When I went back home to India in January 2019, he gave me
2 bottles of jam and told me it was made by his mother. It was so
delicious! I gave it to my family and friends, and everyone loved it
so much.
You always live in our best and most beautiful memories, my
dear bro!

Aneesh Padmanabhan
Laboratory Equipment Engineer

Most often, I remember the times we had spent together, the

places we visited, our conversations and, of course, Azad’s voice.
I often remember his favourite joke-phrases: “Gadan alaram” and
“Minnetin olsun” (translates as “That was a favour/You should have
thanked me”). When I hear them from someone else, I remember Azad.
We met frequently because we not only worked together at the SOCAR
Polymer plant but also were neighbours in the Nerimanov district
of Baku. We had had many funny stories. It would take a book to
narrate them all.
My first acquaintance with him was at a soccer game. I played
with co-workers and was late for the game on that day. Then I saw
a newcomer standing at the gates. He was a new employee. Tall,
in a white T-shirt, with longish curly hair. That was Azad. My first
impression of him wasn’t good, but in a day or two we became friends.
He was my teammate – we worked in the same, extruder area of
the plant. Outside of work, we took walks or rode his motorcycle.
He disliked injustice most. That could make him very angry. His likes
included extreme activities, motorcycling and meeting with friends.
Azad was a very friendly person, a very good friend and buddy.
He had a strong spirit… never showed he wasn’t in the mood…
always smiled and was positive.
I don’t know what the situation really was like, but talking to us
from the frontline, he said everything was good and that he would
return soon with interesting, detailed stories about the war… Who
knows… may be he was saying that to comfort us… He would never
complain of hardships. I miss him very much. He was one of my
closest friends. He will always be in my heart.

Zaur Shukurov
Plant Operator (Extruder Field)

20
 My unperishable martyr, Azad Bakirli!
A 28-years-long life… A glorious life! An interrupted life… But a
life that helped re-write the history of our motherland!!!
A man may live 100 years, but never be remembered after his
death. You, on the contrary, have lived a 28 years long life and died a
death of a martyr to become a legend on everyone’s lips!
Your young life lasted almost as long as our 30 years’ longing for
Garabagh.
So, when the treacherous enemy was invading our lands you
were still in your mother’s womb. When you came to this world, no
one yet knew you would be one of the brave men who would put an
end to the Garabagh tragedy.
When they named you Azad (meaning Free), who knew your
bravery and strength would help liberate our lands.
It seems, your mission in life had been predetermined by destiny.
I well remember those days… With your unique personal
qualities and modesty you quickly earned everyone’s respect. You
became everyone’s favourite, dear friend.
And now you have become a son and a brother to many tear-
shedding mothers and sisters.
Now, every newly liberated Khari Bulbul flower will freely spread
its aroma. When girls pick flowers in the fields and meadows of
Garabagh, the flowers will whisper “We have been liberated by men
like Azad”…
My martyr, words fail at the point of your death… but people
will keep you in their stories of the past and you will live as long as
Azerbaijan lives.

You have helped write a new page in history.

Teach us what it is to be a martyr,
Brave sons make a people strong;
Mother Nature will sing you a lullaby,
Rivers will shed their tears for you, Azad,
You have helped liberate our Garabagh lands, Azad!

Nabi Eyvazov
Extruder Specialist
21
 Live eternally in our
memories, Azad Bakirli...
22
 12000

Overview of
10000

Put
8000
into operation in July of 2018 and February

production trends
6000 of 2019, respectively, the PP and HDPE
plants at SOCAR Polymer company’s production
4000
grounds in Sumgayit have a total design capacity of

at SOCAR Polymer
3042000
KTA.
Production in Jan-July 2019/2020
0

12000 2019 2020

Despite the quarantine measures, the production rate
in early 2020 had increased before the planned shutdown Quaterly sales, 2019/2020
10000
period. Comparison of production totals in the first 7
months of 2019 against the same period of 2020 showed 8000
an 83% increase in the production rate: 2020
6000
Production in Jan-July 2019/2020
4000
12000
2019
10000 2000

8000 0

6000 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2019 2020
4000
In the first half ofDistribution
2020, SOCAR
Quaterly of Polymer’s
exports,
sales, 2020
exports doubled
2019/2020
2000 as compared to the same period of 2019. Remarkably, the
highest sales rate registered since the start of production
0 has been in June 2020.
2019 2020
2020 The adverse impact of the COVID-entailed measures and
Quaterly sales, 2019/2020 restrictions revealed itself in the quarterly export statistics
In 2020, SOCAR Polymer produced about 139,000 tons
for the second half of the year. Nonetheless, the export
of PP and HDPE, having surpassed the previous year’s
numbers for the period are higher than the analogues in
results by 39%. In 2020, there has been a slight increase
2019. For most of the year 2020, SOCAR Polymer remained
(7%) in PP production and a large (184%) increase in HDPE
2020
the biggest importer of Homopolymer PP to Russia,
production rate as compared to 2019. 2019 supplying around 40-60% ofRUSSIA
RF’s market demand for such
Production numbers fluctuated in the second half of TURKEY CHINA Other
grades.
2020 due to the implementation of planned shutdown
activities.
2019 In Q4, export sales
Local have
sales been made
to export to2020
ratio, Q4 Russia, Turkey,
Kazakhstan, and Belarus.Q1
The
Q2
top-buyers
Q3 Q4
of SOCAR
Export developments
Polymer’s products in 2020 have been Turkey, Russia, and
16.5%
China.
According to the Report news agency, referring to the
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
August issue of the Center for Economic Reforms Analysis Distribution ofexports,
Distribution of exports, 2020
2020
and Communication’s “Export Review”, SOCAR Polymer
is leading among Distribution
the topof ten
exports, 2020 exporters in
non-state
Azerbaijan’s non-oil sector. Other high ranking companies 83.5%
in this rating are Land Logistic LLC, Representative office
of Azerbaijan International Mining Company Limited, MKT
Cotton LLC, Fruit Store LLC, Global Trade Group LLC, Sun
Local sales Export
Food LLC, AzAgroExport 2017 LLC, Baku Steel Company,
Agro-West DC LLC.
Dynamics of quarterly local sales (% of total sales)
Despite the economic downturn throughout the world
25
due to the quarantine measures, SOCAR Polymer managed
to boost its exports and keep up production in 2020, 20
with the third quarter of the year dedicated primarily to
TURKEY RUSSIA CHINA Other
preventive maintenance and upgrading activities over 2 15
TURKEY RUSSIA CHINA Other
months’ planned shutdown period. 10
Local sales to export ratio, Q4 2020
Thus, for instance, in the first half of 2020, SOCAR SOCAR5 Polymer exports both by highway transport,
Polymer has sold more polymers than in the entirety of Local and
by railway sales
by to export
sea. This ratio, Q4 2020
July, delivery of BOPP to
0
2019. Total sales in 2020 surpassed
16.5% last year’s sales by KazakhstanQ1was carried Q2
out by the ADYQ3
Express railways
Q4
65%. 87.6% of total production was exported. using a new route going through Russia.
2019 2020
16.5%

23
Local sales to export ratio
83.5%
 TURKEY RUSSIA CHINA Other
TURKEY RUSSIA CHINA
Distribution of exports, 2020 Other
Local Sales
Local sales to export ratio, Q4 2020
Domestic sales made up 16.5% of total sales in Q4:
Local sales to export ratio, Q4 2020

16.5%
16.5%
Meanwhile, the local sales’
share in total sales kept
steadily rising from January
through September of 2020.
TURKEY RUSSIA CHINA Other
Supplying of local businesses
83.5% with polymer feedstock was
a priority, especially so in the
Local sales to export ratio, Q4 2020
83.5% current conditions of limited
cross-border trade.

16.5%
Local sales Export

Local sales Export

Dynamics
83.5% of quarterly
Dynamics local
of quarterly local sales
sales (% of(%
totalof total sales)
sales)

25
Dynamics of quarterly local sales (% of total sales)
25 20 Local sales Export

20 15
Dynamics of quarterly local sales (% of total sales)
25
15 10
20

10 5
15

10 0
5
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
5
0 2019 2020
0
Q1 Q1 Q2
Q2 Q3 Q3 Q4 Q4
Local sales tripled in2019
2020 as2020compared to 2019. The local sales to exports ratio changed
from 1:16 (in 2019) to 1:7 2019
(as of Dec 22,2020
2020).
Local sales to export ratio
Local sales to export ratio
Local sales to export ratio
There have been about 24 different local
Local sales to export companies
ratio and 3 physical persons among
SOCAR Polymer’s local PP-buyers in the
past two years. Some of those buyers have
purchased up to 10 times more tons of PP in
2020, than in 2019.
13 different local companies purchased
HDPE from SOCAR Polymer in 2019. In 2020,
this number grew to 28 companies and 3
physical persons. Some of those buyers
have so far purchased up to 20 times more
tons of HDPE in 2020, than in 2019. Top local
buyers in 2020 have been the Meqa-Plastik
LLC, Ram BNT Ltd, and Azertexnolayn LLC
2019 2020 companies.
Local sales Exports

2019 24 2020
2020 Products Portfolio
novelties
• Production tests of the HM0359 grade of black HDPE
Year 2020 was the year of new compound were carried out to check conformity to the
PE-100 class requirements. The grade was designated
product developments and innovative for production of pressure pipes. Work was carried
modifications. It will be remembered with out jointly with the Scientific-Technical Centre of the
the following highlights regarding our Polyplastic company (Russia);
products portfolio:

• Production of RB4545MO and RB6545MO random

PP copolymer grades for thin wall injection molding
(TWIM) was launched, with homologation at target
markets of Russia and Turkey;

• Production of the HB4540MO and HB6540MO grades

of PP homopolymers with very high rigidity and high
melt flow intended for high-speed TWIM and standard
injection moulding applications, particularly well-
suited for polystyrene replacement in food packaging
industry;

• Production of the new PP homopolymer grade

HB2662FS was launched. It is used to produce
nonwoven fabric for protective masks, respirators,
disposable medical wear, hygienic pads, furniture
upholstery fabrics, construction fabrics, and
geotextiles;

• Production of the CB4848MO and CB6448MO grades

of heterophasic copolymers (HECO) was launched.
The grades were designed for rigid packaging
requiring high processing speed and possessing anti-
static properties;
• Production of the RB4545MO and RB6545MO grades
of random PP copolymers for TWIM applications was
launched. Modified with the Millad NX 8000 clarifier,
these grades can be processed at lower temperatures
and save energy.
• Production of the HL1050BF HDPE grade was raised
to industrial scale. The product was well accepted According to the Product Strategy, the new
by manufacturers of 5-30-micron thin films. On the grades have been mostly exported to the
domestic polymer market, this grade successfully
competed with its imported analogues;
CIS market.
25
SOCAR Polymer launches two new
random copolymer polypropylene
grades ideal for thin-wall packaging
S OCAR Polymer has expanded its portfolio of high-performance polypropylene resins with the addition of its first
pair of random copolymers (RCPs). These resins are designed to yield rigid packaging via thin-wall injection
molding (TWIM), along with a host of other benefits.

Having produced more than 25 different grades of PP

since the launch of the PP plant in July of 2018, SOCAR
Polymer continues expanding its product portfolio.

The two new grades are RB4545MO (with a melt flow

index of 45) and RB6545MO (with a melt flow index of 65).
Those viscosities account for the majority of TWIM items
made from random copolymers. These new RCP grades
will qualitatively complement its portfolio of PP products
intended for the segment of rigid packaging produced by
thin-walled injection molding.

During product development, SOCAR Polymer decided

to completely redevelop its RCP grades intended for TWIM
applications. The products were re-engineered and the
Millad NX 8000 clarifier was introduced to their formulation
recipe. The Milliken company provided samples for
development, and the two parties met at the K 2019 trade
show in Dusseldorf to confirm the plan to proceed.

The aim of these materials is to provide the best

possible balance between processability, good
mechanical and optical properties, along with high-
end aesthetics and excellent safety of the final molded
26
products. The use of the Milliken clarifier provides superb molder. This independently verified lower energy usage
transparency and clarity to the resulting resins, which allows brand owners to apply the UL Environmental Claim
enables the replacement of other plastic materials with Validation label on injection molded packaging made with
the highly recyclable PP. these PP resins, further emphasizing their sustainability
commitment.
RB4545MO and RB6545MO are ideal for production
of clear rigid packaging for food. The main advantage of These latest SOCAR Polymer PP grades also yield parts
such clear packaging is that food producers will be able to with an excellent balance between stiffness (rigidity) and
demonstrate the contents of the packages to consumers, impact resistance, as well as with good antistatic and
which is an important factor in advantageous presentation mold-release properties. They are food contact-approved,
of the product resulting in higher sales. use no organic peroxides, and abide by SOCAR Polymer’s
zero-phthalate philosophy, meaning that no catalysts and
Normally, polypropylene is not a fully transparent polymer. chemicals containing phthalate compounds are used at
To reduce opacity and make PP clear, special additives are any stage of production.
used in the polymer production process.
The very good flowability of these grades make them
Milliken’s Millad® NX® 8000 family of additives increases ideal for high-transparency TWIM packaging applications
product clarity, reduces molders’ energy use. such as caps and closures, containers and housewares.

Additionally, these Millad NX 8000-modified grades can SOCAR Polymer is currently marketing these materials
be processed at lower temperatures, and for shorter cycle to customers in Russia and other countries in the
times, which translates into energy savings for the injection Commonwealth of Independent States.

27
Human Resources is not a
thing we do, it’s the thing
that runs our business
T
aking our readers through SOCAR Polymer project and are now operating two largest chemical
departments, introducing different teams and plants not only in the country, but also in the region, goes
hearing team members’ stories shared in brief, we to the HR department. With 811 people currently on staff,
would like to strengthen the intangible ties between us all, the HR team consisting of 19 members perform their
particularly so in the circumstances of the present lockout. mission of making sure the company's employees are
Today’s visit is to the HR department, a division that adequately managed, appropriately compensated, and
is responsible for effectively managing a company's effectively trained. The department is also responsible
most important – human – resources, which are its for recruiting, hiring, firing, and administering benefits.
employees. Another big merit of the HR team is the comprehensive
In February of 2014 when the SOCAR Polymer programme of professional classroom and on-job
company was very young, the entire staff including trainings arranged for the Operations and Maintenance
management consisted of only 8 people. So, the credit staff both locally and abroad to adopt the best practices,
for having put together a finely balanced, functional and valuable experience and know-how of the modern
productive team who implemented the SOCAR Polymer chemical production industry.

W
hat I enjoy m ost in my job
is com m u nication with
p eop l e and p er for m ance
achievem ents .

I started working for SOCAR Polymer as a head of the

HR department in February of 2014. I have graduated from
the Moscow Academy of the Institute of Economics and
Management and possess over 20 years of experience in
progressively responsible HR roles. I lead and manage the
HR team, delivering day to day services to all employees
and managers. The goal is to ensure high performance of
services, quality, and productivity. I manage a team of 18
professional HR specialists. Our team provides consistent
advice and support, in a cost-effective and efficient way,
to positively impact employees’ effectiveness, efficiency
and confidence. I also supervise the administration of
end-to-end HR transactional activities associated with the
employment cycle.
What I enjoy most in my job is communication with
people and performance achievements. Meanwhile, one
of my big challenges is adjusting to the new business
situation and circumstances. My dream job would be
a combination of creating products that are making a
difference in the world and getting a chance to share
them with as many people as possible. In aspiration to
develop, I am currently studying and preparing for an
SABINA FEYZOVA
SPHRi exam.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

28
 T
o m e, co m m un ica t io n w it h
p eop l e a n d b uild in g up o f n e w
n etworkin g rela t io n s is t h e mo st
en j oya b l e p a rt o f my j o b.

I became a SOCAR Polymer employee almost 4

years ago and 6 months later was promoted to the
position of a Performance & Talent Management TL. I
graduated from Azerbaijan International University (AIU)
in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. In 2007,
I received my second degree in foreign languages from
the Russian Academy of Education in Moscow. In 2015, I
got professional certification as an Associated Recruiter
from the International Institute of Recruiters in UK. I am
planning to get a professional degree in HR next year. My
job now mainly deals with assessment & performance
processes at SP. I also supervise the recruitment team
and am the first point of contact for expatriate staff. I
have 3 subordinates: 1 junior in the performance team, as
well as 1 junior and 1 senior specialists in the recruitment
team. To me, communication with people and building up
of new networking relations is the most enjoyable part of YULIYA ABDULLAYEVA
my job. The most challenging part is people who are not PERFORMANCE & TALENT MANAGEMENT TEAM
meeting deadlines. LEADER

M
y favou r ite p ar t of the job is im p l em entation of a
stu dents & gradu ates devel op m ent p rogram , whi ch
u s u al l y takes p l ace in s u m m er.

Economic University. I am currently job is implementation of a students

studying for a master’s degree & graduates development program,
in Human Rights and Multilevel which usually takes place in summer.
governance. My biggest challenge so far has
I am responsible for Leaning & been related to timing while we
Development activities in SOCAR were implementing a project aimed
Polymer, specifically for planning at arranging offshore trainings for
and arranging onshore/offshore OPS and Maintenance teams. We
NARGIZ SALIMOVA trainings. I cooperate with other encountered many curious situations
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT TEAM petrochemical plants to exchange then. I work in a team of two people.
LEADER experience in HR development and Working in the HR department,
delivery of foundation development I feel I am in the right place as I
I passed 5 interviews before programs, such as Summer enjoy socializing with people. For
joining SOCAR Polymer as a Leaning Internships. In addition, I actively professional development purposes,
& Development Specialist in January liaise with the leading universities I try to always be in line with the
of 2016. Since then I have been in the country. Moreover, I have technological updates in the field of
promoted twice: to a Sr Specialist and supported implementation and L&D, to oversee and develop different
then to a Team Leader. At bachelor’s delivery of SP Project training projects which can be beneficial for
degree level I majored in Accounting program aligned with PMC and EPC people development.
& Audit at the Azerbaijan State strategies. My favourite part of the

29
FARIDA KARIMOVA
SR. HR & PAYROLL SPECIALIST

I have worked for this company since March 2015

and got promoted to the Senior Specialist position in
April of 2019. I got my bachelor’s degree in Business
Administration from the Azerbaijan State Economic
University in June 2011.
My daily round of duties includes processing of the
payroll every pay period (on-cycle & off-cycle) in line with
local legislation; maintaining of the payroll processing
system (SAP HCM module) & records by gathering,
calculating & inputting data; identifying, investigating and
resolving discrepancies in timesheet & payroll records;
acting as a consultant on the effective communication
of any compensation issues; and handling of changes
in job status, job titles, etc. Some of the encountered
challenges have to do with management of timesheets,
tracking of personnel files, correct taxation of benefits,
and timely awareness of changes in local legislation. I
work closely with the HR Admin and the payroll team. For
the purposes of professional development, I participate
in conferences and attend training courses to build,
maintain and enhance my knowledge and skills.

RAVAN KHALILOV
SR. RECRUITMENT & SELECTION SPECIALIST
I started my career at SOCAR Polymer in 2014 as an HR
Assistant and later was promoted to a Recruiter Specialist
role. Since March of 2020, I have been a Senior Recruiter
Specialist.
To share with you the experience I have gained over the
years, I would like to start off by reaffirming the old saying
that ‘we learn from our mistakes’. However, while this age-
old phrase certainly rings true, I would like to point out that
we also learn from our successes.
We get it, recruiting can be tough – especially in today’s
competitive hiring market. The reality is, as a recruiter, you
are competing with thousands of other recruiters for the
same batch of high-quality candidates.
A recruiter should focus on building strong relationships
with both job seekers and hiring managers and put in the
effort to stay organized, keep track of scheduling information,
minute candidate details, and hiring preferences. By
identifying the hiring need, devising a recruitment plan,
advertising the position, recruiting the position, reviewing
applications, phone interviewing as initial screening,
conducting interviews, assessing applicants, performing
background and reference checks, offering a job, hiring,
and finally onboarding, I perform the essential steps of the
hiring process.
I would also mention our ‘internal recruiting’ which
involves filling vacancies with existing employees from
within the company because there’s a good chance the

M
y p ers o n a l e x pe r ie n ce , to o, co n f ir m s best candidate for needed position is already working for
our company. Internal candidates are already familiar with
th a t a n e m ploye e ’s pa st s ucce s s and contributing to our corporate culture and goals. My
wi th i n t h e co m pa ny is t h e b e st personal experience, too, confirms that an employee’s past
success within the company is the best indicator of their
i n d i ca tor of th eir future s ucce s s in a n e w
future success in a new position.
po si ti on .

30
 I hold a bachelor’s degree in
Chemical Engineering of the

D
Azerbaijan Oil Academy (ASOIU). el iver y of stu dents ’ &
Having joined SOCAR Polymer as a
Learning Administrator in May 2018, gradu ates ’ devel op m ent
I was mainly responsible for the p rogram is what I enjoy
SAP Learning Management System,
m o st in my job.
for designing training programs in
the system, and for creating exams
and surveys. I was also in charge of
guiding employees for proper use of
the system. In September of 2020, I most in my job. Some challenges
was promoted to become a Senior I face are the promotion-triggered
Learning & Development Specialist. I broadening range of responsibilities
am responsible for arranging onshore/ and my taking the lead in some
offshore trainings, negotiating with projects’ implementation. I am happy
training vendors, administering the with my job as I enjoy working with
SAP LMS System, writing training people and being part of a team. For
reports, and supporting SP employees professional development purposes, I
in their learning initiatives. In addition, follow industry news, learn different IT
I was fully involved in the organization programs related to the technological
of our Summer Internship Program. part of my job, and further educate NATAVAN MAHMUDOVA
Delivery of students’ & graduates’ myself about e-learning as it is very SR LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
development program is what I enjoy popular nowadays. SPECIALIST

MUBARIZ KHUDIYEV
MIGRATION & TRAVEL COORDINATOR
I got employed by SOCAR Polymer as a Travel and
Migration Coordinator on 1 March 2017. Exactly 3.5 years
later I was promoted to the position of a Migration Specialist.
I am a graduate of the Azerbaijan State Economic University
2007-2011 and a bachelor’s degree in International Economic
Relations. My round of duties includes obtaining work and
residence permits, visa requests, arranging registrations,
and other duties assigned by management. I like the fact
that my job is dynamic, requiring good communication
skills in interaction with various government agencies such
as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Migration Service,
State Border Guard Service, TABIB, etc. I work in close
cooperation with my colleagues Yulia Abdullayeva and Sevinj
Mammadova. Due to the pandemic, we are facing lots of
difficulties that complicate the arrival and departure of expats.
I love my job and want to bring as much value to our
company as possible, trying to use all my skills and
knowledge in order to do my job quickly and efficiently.
ALINA EYYUBOVA
HRIS ADVISOR

I have almost 17 years of experience, the recent 10 of

which involved HR processes. I joined SOCAR Polymer
in August of 2016 as a Senior Recruitment Specialist. Six
months later, I was appointed a Subject Matter Expert to
one of SP’s biggest projects aimed at the implementation
of the SAP HCM and Payroll, and then SAP ESS/MSS
modules. After successful completion of the project, I was
promoted to the HRIS Advisor position.
Currently, I am a Leader of an HRIS subunit and in charge
of the SAP HCM, Payroll and ESS MSS modules. I provide
regular HR analysis and reports, including HR forecasting
for HR management and/or business.
I hold a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Linguistics.
This year, I made a professional achievement in HR by
having become an SHRM Chartered Professional.
31
AYGUN ATAKISHIYEVA
HR SPECIALIST

M
ost chal l enging to m e is foster ing a
cu l tu re of continu ou s l ear ning.

bachelor’s degree in English philology. motivated and inspired at work.

My job duties include but are not Thus, each team member shares
limited to dealing with employee the same vision and is dedicated
requests regarding HR issues, rules, and to the missions of the Company.
regulations; provision of all requested Most challenging to me is fostering
information during internal/external a culture of continuous learning. My
audits; documentation of position daily routine creates conditions for
changes, intercompany transfers, me to work both independently and in
salary increase, and disciplinary a team. My current position is at the
actions according to the Labor Code; start of my career path. In due time,
preparation of general HR-related I will be considered for promotions
orders/internal decrees; systematic or progressions via performance
documentation and registration of and competency assessments. To
maternity leaves; protocolling of sick progress to my dream job, I diligently
leave requests in the e-gov portal; and develop my teamwork skills; deliver
maintaining of internal documentation. my tasks in time; devote saved time
I started out as an HR Assistant in What I enjoy most in my job is to enlarging my scope; employ a
May of 2016 and was promoted to the the collaborative work environment, comprehensive approach to handling
HR Specialist position in September of genuine spirit of cooperation, shared issues on a short and a long-term
2017. I graduated from the Azerbaijan targets, and positive organizational bases; and deepen my knowledge in
University of Languages in 2011, with a culture being a key to feeling relevant fields to the required extent.

SABINA KARIMOVA ELMADDIN ABILOV

HR SPECIALIST HR & PAYROLL SPECIALIST
My round of duties at SOCAR
Polymer includes among other
things administering of HR software
(SAP system); dealing with employee
requests regarding HR issues, rules,
and regulations; making appropriate
records in the e-gov portal upon
request; and providing all requested
information during internal/external
audits. I am in this job because I
love working with people, helping
them feel comfortable at work, and
knowing that my knowledge and
skills are fully applied. The friendly HR
team and professional development,
too, are most enjoyable. I mostly
work independently, but HR activities I was hired as an HR Specialist for
are inextricably linked to the entire SOCAR Polymer in June of 2018 and
HR team. Regarding challenges, was promoted to my current position in
I believe any difficulties can and April of 2019. I got my bachelor’s degree
should be overcome. To progress from the Baku State University. My
in professional development, I am work experience includes 4 years as an
I joined SOCAR Polymer as an preparing for my CIPD exam. Engineer and 7 years as an HR specialist.
HR Specialist in March of 2017. I One of my personal dreams is to Teamwork is what I enjoy most in my
had majored in Literary Translations own a Learning Center for Children current job. I cannot specify any major
at the Baku Slavic University. I also with Special Needs or a Center for difficulties or challenges in daily work.
hold a medical nurse diploma and Gifted Children. That requires a At this stage of my career, my dream job
a piano performer’s diploma issued financial base, collecting relevant target is to advance to the position of a
by the Ministry of Education and the information, and making useful Sr. HR & Payroll Specialist. To progress
Sattarkhan Palace of Culture and acquaintances. to my dream, I simply perform my job in
Technology, respectively. a responsible and timely manner.

32
I
also enjoy helping people, i.e. helping
candidates find a job that really fits their
personal qualities, skills and job expectations.

As a graduate of the Baku Slavic University, I hold a

bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philology.
I have accumulated more than 10 years of extensive
experience in the HR field: I started as an HR assistant and
rose to the level of HR coordinator. Starting from the lowest
position in this field and gradually rising helped me to learn
more about my work. In 2017, I gained my first international
experience as a Project HR coordinator on a business trip
for a pipeline WREP SRP project in Georgia. In March of
2018, I joined SOCAR Polymer as an HR Specialist.
In HR, all work is interconnected, so you cannot work
alone. There are 4 people in our HR administration group.
I am responsible for keeping individual personnel records
and for keeping HR documentation in compliance with
labor law requirements and corporate standards. I prepare AYNUR ARSLAN
HR orders and special HR forms in compliance with HR SPECIALIST
legislative standards and administer the HR module in the
SAP system. I also deal with employee requests, maintain Challenges are part and parcel of our life, and to overcome
employee files, update employment records, manage the challenges in any job one requires some strategies and
onboarding processes, provide HR induction, and inform cannot just improvise. To create a strategy for a particular
job applicants of details such as duties and responsibilities, problem, one needs to observe and analyze the situation.
compensation, benefits, schedules, working conditions, or A lot of strategies seem good on paper, but they are not
promotion opportunities. practically effective. So, one needs to be realistic.
As an HR Specialist, I communicate with people both I am currently planning to get second higher education in
inside and outside our company. That is one of the things HR Management and get an international certificate. I would
I love about my job. I also enjoy helping people, i.e. helping be excited to take on more managerial responsibilities in
candidates find a job that really fits their personal qualities, the next few years and potentially take the lead in some
skills and job expectations. projects.

MARYAM TALIBOVA
HR DEVELOPMENT TEAM

T
he nice p ar t of this job is that it is not m onotonous; I
do different things ever y day.

I got employed at SOCAR Polymer that it is not monotonous; I do different

as a Team Admin on January 8, 2020. I things every day. 60% of my work requires
had majored in Business Administration communication and negotiations,
at the Faculty of Management of the including mail correspondence. There are
Western University in Baku. I have 20 people in our department and during
almost 3 years of work experience, a day I manage to support half of them
about 11 months of which I have in their work. I seldom face any specific
worked as a team admin. My job is difficulties of problems. The atmosphere
basically to regulate documentation so of friendliness, honesty, and sense of
that all documents are signed on time. mutual responsibility is what I like about
I am also the point of contact between working for SOCAR Polymer most. I
all employees and the HR team. What love my job and that helps me perform
challenged me most at the beginning successfully every day. In future, I would
was the amount of information that like to learn more about personnel
needed to be absorbed fast to keep up selection and recruitment, and to try
the workflow. The nice part of this job is myself as a Recruitment Specialist.

33
 D
KAMALA HAJIYEVA
JR. PERFORMANCE & TALENT MANAGEMENT oing their best to s u p p or t the com p any ’s bi g g est
SPECIALIST
as s et – its p eop l e – the H R team are day in and
I am a graduate of the Translation department day ou t ju ggl ing a whol e range of s p inning plates,
of the Baku Business University. In March of 2018,
I joined SOCAR Polymer as an IT Coordinator. constantl y tr y ing to m ake s u re one does not drop.
Given an opportunity, I eagerly transferred to
the HR department, and it was a dream come
true. I love helping HR professionals improve
our company. Doing their best to support the
company’s biggest asset – its people – the HR
team are day in and day out juggling a whole
range of spinning plates, constantly trying to
make sure one does not drop.
My round of duties includes keeping
probationary goals under control, developing
Performance Improvement Plans (PIP),
preparing Competency Assessment forms, and
participation in such assessments.
Performance and talent management is one
of the functions of the HR department. Talent
management is aimed at attracting, engaging,
and retaining high-quality employees to
motivate them to grow and perform better. It is a
constant process that helps businesses improve
performance, stay competitive, form productive
teams, decrease HR turnover, and lead to strong
employer branding.
Working hard, striving to always learn from
every single person I come into contact with,
taking up extra work aware that it involves gaining
new skills and knowledge, and remaining humble
and able to produce tangible and measurable
results, I believe I will be able to climb the
professional and career ladder!

I
cannot think of any chal l enges I am facing excep t my
dis l ike for rem ote- office work du e to the l ockdown, but
there is l ittl e I can do abou t it excep t m aintaining t he
s a me degree of activenes s and zeal for work

my education at master’s level at the HRD member gets. I cannot think of

Azerbaijan State Economic University any challenges I am facing except my
majoring in IT in Management. dislike for remote-office work due to
In my current job, I am engaged the lockdown, but there is little I can do
in filling of monthly budget reports, about it except maintaining the same
checking and fixing SAP SF LMS degree of activeness and zeal for work.
JAMILBEY ZEYNALZADE
mismatches with my team members, I work in a sub-team consisting of three
JR. LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
fully controlling the English Language people. My current career goal is to
SPECIALIST
Classes for SP employees, and excel as a Learning and Development
I was employed as a Jr. Learning performing some other duties. Being Specialist and advance from a
and Development Specialist at SOCAR more technology-oriented owing to junior position. I try to do my duties
Polymer in October of 2019. I grew my education background, I am happy flawlessly and within a small amount
up and was schooled in Yevlakh city; to be able to learn new features of of time. I want to become the best in
received my bachelor’s degree in the Learning Management System my segment of professional activity. I
Computer Sciences at the Azerbaijan (LMS) and to improve my knowledge am also working on getting additional
State Oil and Industrial University. of Office applications in this job. I language skills and improving my
Upon graduation in 2019, I continued enjoy the amount of socialization an stress management capabilities.

34
I
am curious about technology (especially
software) and like helping others.

I received a bachelor’s degree in World Economy from

the Baku Engineering University in 2019. As a finalist of
SOCAR Polymer’s Summer Internship program I gained
8 weeks’ experience as an Environmental Specialist.
So, my first experience at SOCAR Polymer was of
an intern. Later, in December 2019, I was offered a
position in the HR department and gladly accepted it
to become a Junior Human Resources Information
Systems (HRIS) Specialist. In short, my round of duties
is to prepare, maintain, and update employee data in
the HR information system, to provide routine and ad-
hoc reports, and to participate in the organizational
management process such as structuring actions, job/
position creation/maintenance, and the like. I am curious
about technology (especially software) and like helping
others. An HRIS Specialist’s job is a good polygon for
both those interests. I usually work independently or with
my supervisor Alina Eyyubova. An occasional challenge is
to encourage employees to adapt to using the electronic
system daily. I would love to see more digital workplaces
in the near future, so I am keen on participating in the
development of ERP software systems and assisting
employees in adapting to those systems. My current goal
is to advance my technical and soft skills. As working
from home allows to use time more efficiently, I spend
GULLU BABASHLI
more time on learning and development through online
JR. HRIS SPECIALIST
courses.

FIDAN ISMAYILOVA
JR. RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST

I
t is awes om e when from am ong 100 res u m es you finally
find the one you need!

I was hired almost 2 years ago as a soon the person is already a full-feathered
Team Admin for the HR department. I member of the staff, showing up every
documented orders, processed orders morning, smiling at you... working...
from hospitals, and gained a lot of feeling ‘at home’… raising and resolving
experience using the e-gov system. Six issues. Before you know it, the person
months later, I was promoted to the becomes an indelible part of the team
Junior Recruitment Specialist position. and entire staff. It is such a wonderful
The recruitment team consists of feeling when you understand that it is you
two people. We carry out our duties fast who did it! During the candidate selection
enough and, if necessary, replace each process, it is important to analyze each
other. I enjoy communication, interviews, profile and express your conclusions
calls and meeting new people in my daily about the candidate in the final feedback.
job. Every candidate has their own points When a new vacancy is posted, it is
of view and expectations regarding the important to decide the best media to
announced vacancy. It is awesome when advertise it, whether in newspapers, on
from among 100 resumes you finally websites, or social media. Then come
find the one you need! The first interview, resumes, calls and new interviews
then another one... then introduction of are conducted bringing in more new
the new employee to the workplace, and employees. I like my job.

35
Tensile Tester training held
for Lab staff
On 15-17 December 2020, the Quality Control
Lab staff attended a training on the
structure and operation of the newly installed Tensile
Tester equipment with an Automatic Contacting
Extensometer.

three-day training program provided a broad overview of the

tensile tester and covered many topics including materials,
hardware, and processing methods. The training participants
learned how all parts of the tensile tester equipment were
functioning; how to act in any troubleshooting situations,
and how to operate a laboratory tensile tester in order to
determine the mechanical properties of PP and HDPE
materials.

After the training sessions, all employees performed

practical mechanical tests on their own to apply the newly
gained knowledge and skills.

A Tensile Tester is an important piece of equipment in the

Laboratory, enabling batch analysis of final PP and HDPE
products. Based on the results of tensile tests (among
others), the Laboratory can issue Certificates of Analysis
for the produced polymers.

This newly installed model of this equipment differs from

the previous ones by its accuracy, sensitivity, and simplicity
of operation. The new, Automatic Contacting Extensometer
part of the equipment improves productivity and repeatability
as opposed to traditional clip-on extensometers.

The vendor representative, Abdullah Shahin was a

laboratory engineer from the “Uçkan Test” company
which is a member of the “Instron Tensile Tester Group”,
the leading global manufacturer of testing equipment for
plastic materials.

For training purposes, all lab employees were divided into

small training groups depending on their shift schedule. The

36
My development path
L
ooking back, I real ize I had not expected
s u ch p rogres s within a year. The bi g g est
difference between m e today and a year
ago is , of cou r s e, in the am ou nt of accu m ulated
knowl edge and s kil l s .

difficulties in coordinating employees’ performance. Now

that challenge is practically gone. According to my own
observations, my other disadvantage is hastiness, which
both helps and hinders depending on the situation. Being
fast means meeting deadlines, which is generally good, but
in production rushing is a drawback and being agile, cold-
blooded, and restrained is an advantage. So, I am currently
working on achieving a balance in that.

Over the past few weeks, I learned a lot about the gas-
phase reactor which was not often used at our plant, but
was activated recently for the production of high impact
copolymer grades – the most expensive PP we produce.
Thus, I have enriched both my understanding and practical
experience regarding this type of reactors and a recirculating
compressor. I made the most of the opportunity, observed
the process closely and participated in the adjustment of
ISMAYIL AHMADOV its main parameters.
JR. FIELD PROCESS
ENGINEER Looking back, I realize I had not expected such progress
within a year. The biggest difference between me today
This quarter, I got a deeper understanding of the processes and a year ago is, of course, in the amount of accumulated
and got deeper involved in the workflow. One of my recent knowledge and skills. This is my first job as a full-fledged
tasks was to monitor the state of the process together with engineer, but I can see how much more confident I’ve
the Operation, Technology and Instrumentation teams, and become, and how much my approach to solving various
to make changes to the process parameters. problems and the quality of my interaction with colleagues
have changed.
As mentioned, before I had started spending more time
in the Control Room (DCS), learning new things and also As a reminder, my daily work routine consists of walking
helping the operators. As a result, I can already see and feel around the plant site for a general equipment inspection.
the difference the past few months have produced: control Any equipment malfunction or problems in various devices
of the production process used to seem very difficult and and sensors are raised as issues and reported to the Site
tedious to me, whereas now things have become much leads and other relevant persons. The daily routine also
clearer and even more interesting. Each passing day I gain includes control over absolute safety of production and
more confidence in my actions, especially regarding critical heat transfer efficiency of heat exchangers, participation
situations. True, it is impossible to fully master this system in trainings related to procedures, troubleshooting, process
in such a short period and some weak points surely still adjustments and optimization.
need to be worked on. But I do make decisions quicker
now and stay calm in tough situations. Additionally, I began In the upcoming weeks, I am planning to delve deeper
collecting various data about process parameters and am into the intricacies of the production process and work on
trying to plot their dependencies for further optimization of process optimization. For the next few months, my plan is
the process. to fully master the Control Room (DCS) system, take more
production trainings, and learn more about the Extrusion
Development implies stumbling upon challenges section and Utilities, and about monitoring of final product
and persistent efforts to improve. I used to have some quality and solving problems related to interlocks.

37
Fire Fighting Operational
Readiness Campaign
O
n December 21-23, the HSE team conducted a 3 days’ comprehensive campaign to increase firefighting
operational readiness throughout the site. The campaign activities included full inspection, examination
and testing of:

• Fire Towers / Monitors

• Hexene and Isobutane Tanks’ Foam Systems
• Warehouse firefighting system

Inspections and tests were conducted with involvement of all relevant parties – the OPS, Maintenance, Instrumental
and Electrical teams. All findings were officially recorded and reported to relevant parties for further actions. All
activities were conducted under PTW and only essential personnel were involved.

Fire Prevention and

Preparedness in broad focus
From October 23 through to November 6, SOCAR
Polymer’s HSE department conducted a series of training
sessions on “Fire Extinguishers Usage Awareness”. A
training session offered:

• General information concerning classification of fires

• General information about causes of fires
• Information on firefighting methodologies and details
including safe use of firefighting equipment, personal
protective equipment, proper visual inspection and
positioning of extinguishers, correction for wind
direction, etc.
• Tips to differentiate types and purposes of fire extinguishers
• Practical information on use of different types of fire
extinguishers
• Broad information regarding inspection and positioning
of fire extinguishers
• Practical training in extinguishing fires

The 1-hour practical trainings in extinguishing fires were

available to 12 participants per training. Registration for the
course was via a link to the appropriate section of the SAP SF
Learning Management System (LMS). With trainings held three
times a week, more than 100 employees have benefitted from
the opportunity to learn about and actually practice firefighting.
38
Fire Fighting Preparedness
system upgraded
This year, firefighting activities at the plant have been
broadened. Periodical checking of the firefighting system
and testing of fire-extinguishers was performed by random
HSE team members at different times. There was a need to
make these checks and other activities more systematic and
coordinated. For this purpose, a new member was taken on
board: Tofig Ismayilov joined the team as an HSE Advisor.
As a result, all the active and passive firefighting equipment
was registered and is now managed from a single Register,
while all relevant events, checks, and trainings are neatly
conducted in accordance with a preliminarily approved
Calendar, the equipment is tested and re-certified on timely
basis. All the issues and gaps found during these activities
are promptly addressed and eliminated. To this end, Tofig
is actively cooperating with the operational, mechanical,
and instrumental teams. Another positive change is that
our plant now has its own training package developed on
the topic of firefighting and fire extinguisher use. Based on
those training materials, a Fire Fighting Awareness Program
was set up, and over 100 SOCAR Polymer employees have
already passed trainings and gained basic theoretical
knowledge and even practical skills in firefighting.

39
HSE culture promoting
award winners
January
It has been 3 years since SOCAR Polymer’s HSE award was initiated. The
main purposes of establishing this competition in May of 2018 were
to achieve formation of a corporate HSE culture, to encourage employees
1st place – Najaf Najafov / HSE Advisor
Nominated for stopping an unauthorized
to secure a safe work environment, to engage everyone in prevention of Confined Space Activity with no permit or
adverse events that can lead to incidents or accidents, and to establish rescue means
communication between employees and managers.
2nd place – Elvin Aslanli / Plant
Operator
To collect such reports and select potential awardees, an observation card Nominated for reporting and properly
system was created. Thus, our employees have been reporting their observations addressing the malfunctions in the Fire &
of at-risk or unsafe situations that deviated from HSE standards and jeopardized Gas Alarm system
the established HSE culture. As the purpose was not to blame, but to improve,
the reports contained no names. At the end of each month, the HSE and OPS 3rd place – Allahyar Guliyev / Workshop
managers selected top 3 observations of the month. The winners received Supervisor
certificates and monetary prize vouchers. Nominated for reporting diesel having
been loaded to the dosing system instead
of the proper chemical additives

February
1st place – Anar Aliyev / Plant Operator
Nominated for reporting the acid leakage at
the Condensate Treatment Package area

2nd place – Rahman Zamanov /

Extrusion Unit Lead
Nominated for reporting uncovered
emergency push buttons in the HDPE
Extruder

3rd place – Ilgar Muradov / Mechanical

Technician
Nominated for reporting and taking
proper action to eliminate heavy wind
entailed damage to the guard of the
P-2502B pump

March
1st place – Sakhavat Rafiyev / Electrical
Supervisor
Nominated for reporting the
improperly installed cable tray covers
with high dropped objects risk and
taking further actions for temporary
and then permanent elimination of the
risk

2nd place – Javid Bashirov / Plant

Operator
Nominated for reporting and taking
necessary actions to deal with leakage of
the teal-donor-catalyst mixture from the
inline mixer

3rd place – Orkhan Suleymanli / HDPE

Bagging Team Lead
Nominated for reporting a damaged
forklift movement stopper at the HDPE
Bagging Lines

40
 April July October
1st place – Azer Aliyev / Plant Operator 1st place – Rovshan Babayev / 1st place – Mushfig Bagirov /
Nominated for reporting and taking Process Analyzer Technician Mechanical Supervisor
proper corrective actions against Nominated for reporting health- Nominated for reporting a higher
leakage of nitrogen in the TEAL area threatening situation in the techs’ temperature reading on the 1st reactor
dressing room in an iron container seal pot’s CWS line PI than on the CWR
2nd place – Fariz Mammadov / Senior line PI
Warehouseman 2nd place – Murad Mammadov /
Nominated for reporting improper Instrument Technician 2nd place – Aydin Aghayev / Plant
placement of fire extinguishers Nominated for reporting a broken Operator
gas detector 2700-NGOR-27203 that Nominated for reporting a software
3rd place – Gail Aliyev / Electrical created leakage-entailed risks in that problem with tracking and providing
Technician area notifications about a Fire&Gas
Nominated for reporting the dropped workstation
object risk created by equipment covers 3rd place – Bahruz Novruzov /
Bagging Operator 3rd place – Mehman Shukurov /
Nominated for reporting a night light Mechanical Supervisor
May lamp hanging on an electrical cable on Nominated for reporting unsealed holes
a PP bagging silo exposing cables near the ethylene
1st place – Ilham Rustamov / Plant compressor in HDPE polymerization
Operator area
Nominated for reporting improper August
functioning of an isolation valve while
checking fire water valves 1st place – Vugar Bayramov / Plant November
Operator
2nd place – Parviz Mammadaliyev Nominated for reporting some objects 1st place – Nijat Ahadov / Plant
& Joshgun Huseynov / Mechanical left on a platform Operator
Technicians Nominated for reporting improper
Nominated for reporting totally wrong 2nd place – Elvin Nasirli / SOCAR connection of CO valves’ air lines, which
installation of valves, making them non- Cape Jetting Specialist will impede opening of 2 CO valves in
operational for isolation & de-isolation Nominated for reporting a leakage case of an electric supply failure at the
purposes in the jetting-hose used for washing plant
production pipes
3rd place – Vadim Ismayilov / Plant 2nd place – Rasul Ahadov / Plant
Operator 3rd place – Mirjalil Agayev / SOCAR Operator
Nominated for reporting high fire water Cape Jetting Specialist Nominated for reporting a problem in
pressure on a deluge valve (SDV-002-D), Nominated for reporting employees the Fire & Gas system software
the pressure indicator PI35069 in Valve walking into the high-pressure jetting
House 2 reading 5.5 barg instead of 10 work area despite the restricting 3rd place – Aydin Aghayev / Plant
barg barricade tape Operator
Nominated for reporting the damaged
steel grating covering the lines feeding
the wastewater basin
June September
1st place – Eldar Omarov / Plant 1st place – Azer Aliyev / Plant
Operator Operator December
Nominated for reporting improper Nominated for reporting improper
functioning of the HVAC system instalment of a polymer slurry pipe 1st place – Nizami Piriyev / Shift
Supervisor
2nd place – Farid Mammadli / 2nd place – Rauf Hajiyev / Bagging Nominated for recommending to stop
Instrument Technician Team Lead feeding the tracking signals from the
Nominated for reporting loosening of Nominated for reporting removal of “Hexene, isobutane Storage & Transfer
grids on the 2nd floor and of the stair gratings under PP bagging silos, with Unit-3950” to a PP monitor instead of an
holder on the 6th floor of the HDPE temporary placement of hard barriers HDPE monitor to prevent confusion and
plant Organoleptic area related risks
3rd place – Vugar Seyidov / Plant
3rd place – Nizami Fataliyev / Operator 2nd place – Babek Abbasbeyli / Plant
Mechanical Supervisor Nominated for reporting a broken Operator
Nominated for reporting improper earthing cable (MP3958) Nominated for reporting a booster pump
placement of objects that crowd the 2700A smoking
area around the fire extinguisher and
increase its access-time by 4 times 3rd place – Anar Aliyev / Plant Operator
Nominated for reporting a missing lock
on the door to the Nitrogen Unit control
container in the Utilities area

Congratulations to HSE prize winners!

41
One workday through the
eyes of a co-worker
I arrived at the plant at 7:20 am and took over the shift
from my night-shift colleague. At 8 a.m. I attended the
safety toolbox conducted by a Mechanical Supervisor.
Then out in the field I checked the equipment and systems
for pressure, lubrication oil levels, temperature, and other
gauge readings, and took appropriate notes. Such checks
are particularly important for the plants’ proper operation
and performance. Thus, the plants’ uninterrupted operation
is secured and to prevent an abrupt breakdown we carefully
monitor all the equipment at every shift. If a sudden
breakdown occurs for whatever reason, we try to perform
maintenance safely and accurately to restore the plants’
functionality as soon as possible.

Most often, when there are no incomplete tasks taken

over from the night shift, we summarize and prioritize the
outstanding tasks and activities right after the toolbox with
the OPS team. Then we start acting from the top item on
the list. At the same time, I fill in a PTW form for the works
planned for the following day and submit it to the Permit
room along with the required accompanying documents.
If there are no cases of equipment breakdown and no
pending tasks taken over from the night shift, we get a
printout form from the “Tasks of Work Order” section of the
SAP system listing the outstanding planned maintenance
work in accordance with the Weekly Plan received from
the Planning Team, and depending on the tasks specified
in the printout, I check and record such parameters as
equipment vibration, temperature, pressure, leakage, and
alignment, input my records into the SAP system, confirm
the specified work duration periods, and submit the form to
my mechanical supervisor.

As the suction and discharge valves of the recycle

compressor in the PP polymerization area had to be
dismantled during this shift, right after the safety toolbox SARKHAN AHMADOV
I took the PTW and went to that area. There, I gave safety SENIOR MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN
instructions and described the work process to the
mechanical technicians assigned to that task alongside
with me, explained the possible risks and hazards and
having made sure that everyone is clear on that, started the

M
operation. We dismantled the valves and took them to the
workshop. There, together with my colleagues, we took the ost often, when there are
valves apart for inspection and repairs, and spent the rest
no incom p l ete tas ks taken
of the shift hours on cleaning, repairing, and re-assembling
a few valves. In the end, we tidied the workplace and put over from the night s hift,
the tools in their storage place. At 7:30 p.m. I submitted we s u m m ar ize and p r ior itize the
the PTW to the shift supervisor and returned to my desk to
describe the mechanical work performed during the day in ou tstanding tas ks and activ ities r ight
my daily report to the mechanical group. Having reported after the tool box with the OPS team .
the outcomes of the day to the mechanical supervisor, I
informed the night shift’s Sr. Mechanical Technician about
the field work performed during the day and specifically the
work that was not completed. At 8 p.m. I left my workplace
with a sense of having successfully fulfilled the tasks for
the day.

42
AmCham providing useful
communication opportunities

cross-border taxation in Azerbaijan

Following establishment of Zaur Allahverdizade, Baker Hughes Russia-CIS Region

cooperation with the Compliance Director, Commercial/Litigation lawyer and
SOCAR Polymer company in June of 2020, the Compliance specialist experienced in Oil and Gas Industry
Kamil Valiyev, partner at MGB Law firm, with extensive
American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan
experience in cross-border and local commercial and M&A
(AmCham) has continued inviting our employees transactions
to participate in its online events dedicated to
different disciplines and topics. Virtual meeting of AmCham Sustainable Development &
Corporate Impact (SD&CI) Committee
Date/Time: December 1, at 15:00
AmCham is a leading private, non-profit business Topics: "AmCham Sustainability Policy”, “Involvement of
association in Azerbaijan. It promotes the business interests private sector in the humanitarian initiatives: achievements,
of its Member Companies by providing high quality services gaps and partnership”
Speakers: Gunel Isakova and Etibar Huseynov from
to them, as well as by working on improvement of the
Azerbaijan-UK Alumni Association Shams Mustafayeva, UN
business climate in Azerbaijan. With over 80% of received Development Coordination Officer
investment being foreign, AmCham organizes more than 70
events annually for its 290+ current members. Online discussion on the use of analogue signature in
Participation in the events is provided free of charge. accordance with legislation
The events are held via Zoom software at business hours Date/Time: December 11, at 15:00
on weekdays. The working language of the events is Topics: Use of analogue signature in accordance with
legislation
usually Azerbaijani, English or Turkish.
Speakers: representatives of the State Tax Service under
The events held in quarter 4 of 2020 are listed below: the Ministry of Economy, the Central Bank of the Republic of
Joint virtual meeting of AmCham BFI and HR Committees Azerbaijan and E-Gov Development Center
Date/Time: November 24, at 16:00
Online meeting of the AmCham Sustainable Development &
Topics: "Remote work and virtual leadership", "Experience
Corporate Impact Committee
report from an Austrian Bank".
Date/Time: December 17, at 11:00
Guest speaker: Birgit Moschitz, with 20+ years’ experience
Topic: “Tax exemptions for CSR related expenses on science,
in various HR management functions including project and
education, health, sports, culture etc.” and brief introduction
interim management
of the youth education support project “Build Your Future!”
Virtual meeting of AmCham Legal & Compliance Committee Speakers: Nijat Imanov, Acting Head of the Tax Policy Main
Date/Time: November 30, at 11:00 Department of the State Tax Service Turan Jafarova, project
Topics: "Related Party Transactions”, “Conflict of Interest", manager at Build Your Future Ltd.
“General aspects of taxation of related party transaction in
Azerbaijan” SOCAR Polymer employees are encouraged to
Speakers: Birgit Moschitz, with 20+ years’ experience in participate in such events by AmCham and to benefit
various HR management functions from fruitful discussions on topics relevant to their field of
Naila Asadova, Senior Manager at E&Y Tax and Law specialization. Further information can be obtained from
department, with 10+ years’ experience in corporate and the HR or PR departments.
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