Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Today's Edition

EveryNews

Stories that matter, signal over noise

Business

The "Smoly" plant has changed hands: what the sale means for Kamyanske and why it matters to Ukraine

The State Property Fund sold 100% of the shares of the "Smoly" plant to Kyiv-based LLC Mashbudsystem. We examine how the transaction will affect the region, critical infrastructure and employees.

Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik

By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik

March 11, 2026 · 2 min read

The "Smoly" plant has changed hands: what the sale means for Kamyanske and why it matters to Ukraine
Фото: Дніпропетровське інвестиційне агентство

Briefly about the deal

The State Property Fund held a Dutch auction for the sale of 100% of the shares of JSC «Smoly» (Kamyanske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast). The winner of the auction, published on Prozorro.Sales, was Kyiv-based LLC «Mashbudsystem» with an offer of 37.54 million UAH. The starting price of the auction was 72.03 million UAH.

What is being sold

«Smoly» produces plastics in primary forms, in particular ion-exchange resins — materials used for water purification at nuclear and thermal power plants, in hydrometallurgy, pharmaceuticals and the food industry. The asset includes 104 real estate units (52,518.64 sq. m), 41 land plots (27.3 ha), 41 vehicles and other movable property. The JSC's authorized capital exceeds 144 million UAH.

“The auction for the sale of 100% of the shares of JSC ‘Smoly’ has concluded. The winner of the auction is LLC ‘Mashbudsystem’,”

— Press service of the State Property Fund

Sale conditions and safeguards

One of the key conditions of the privatization is the repayment of wage arrears and debts to the budget within six months after the transfer of ownership. Also, the new owner may not dismiss the company's employees during the first six months. These restrictions are a standard mechanism to protect the interests of workers and the community during the transfer of strategic assets into private hands.

Who bought it and what it means

LLC «Mashbudsystem» was registered in Kyiv in May 2019; its main activity is wholesale trade of machinery and equipment for the mining industry and construction. The founder is Andriy Novosad. The buyer is acquiring not only production capacities but also a significant land and infrastructure base, which provides potential for modernization or diversification of production.

Context and risks

The Fund put «Smoly» up for sale back in July 2023 with a starting price of 190.3 million UAH — that auction did not take place due to a lack of participants. A partial price reduction and the use of the Dutch format made it possible to find a buyer, but also raised questions about the adequacy of investments in modernization and the preservation of production. Analysts note that the low purchase price places expectations on the buyer for rapid investments and fulfillment of social obligations.

What’s next: possible scenarios

In the best-case scenario the new owner will invest in equipment upgrades, ensure stable wage payments and develop production of critical components for energy and industry. In a realistic scenario — the transformation process will take time, and oversight by the state and the community will remain key to ensuring the privatization terms are met. The example of the recent successful privatization of the Kolomyia Agricultural Machinery Plant (February 2026) demonstrates that sales of regional assets can kick-start the local economy if followed by investments.

Conclusion

The sale of «Smoly» is not just another transaction on Prozorro. It is a test for the privatization model during the war: whether new owners will be able to turn acquired assets into jobs, technological capacity and contributions to critical infrastructure. The answer depends on monitoring compliance with the deal's conditions and the willingness to invest in modernization — and it is an issue that concerns not only Kamyanske but the overall strategy for industrial recovery in Ukraine.

Related

Latest

Business

EU Against Google: Why the Latest Fine Could Change More Than Previous Ones

# European Regulators Target Google Again — This Time Over Digital Markets Act Violations. What's Behind the Accusations and Why It Matters Beyond the Corporation European regulators have renewed their scrutiny of Google, this time focusing on alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act. The charges underscore Brussels' increasingly aggressive stance on big tech monopolies and what officials say are anticompetitive practices. The accusations center on how Google leverages its dominance across multiple digital services — from search to advertising to mobile platforms — to disadvantage competitors. Regulators claim the company is using its market power in ways that stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. The case carries significance far beyond Google itself. It signals how the EU is attempting to enforce its landmark Digital Markets Act, legislation designed to curb the gatekeeping power of tech giants. A potential penalty could set precedent for how other large technology companies face similar scrutiny. For consumers and smaller tech firms, the outcome could reshape the digital landscape by creating more room for competition. For Google, fines and operational restrictions could fundamentally alter its business model in Europe, the world's most stringent regulatory market. The case also reflects a broader geopolitical divide, with the EU pursuing a regulatory approach that contrasts sharply with the lighter-touch oversight favored in the United States.

May 26, 2026