The potential of the chemical complex of Luhansk region: current state and prospects for structural modernization

The article is devoted to the assessment of the current state, the dynamics of the development of the chemical complex of Luhansk region and the definition of promising approaches to its structural modernization. The main indicators of production, foreign trade and financial activities of the chemical complex of the region in 2010-2017 have been analyzed; the factors reducing its potential have been identified. It is shown that the main reasons for this situation are the consequences of the military conflict, the loss of the part of the region and decrease in production activity as the result of this loss. Another group of factors is associated with the gradual exhaustion of the potential of the existing industry model, which is characterized by the dominance of large-tonnage basic chemical production. The conclusion of the article is that the restoration of the chemical complex of Luhansk region should be realized through its structural and technological modernization. It is substantiated that the necessary prerequisites for the neo-industrial development of the chemical complex and the formation of new areas of regional smart specialization based on the organization of inter-branch synergies have formed in the current situation in the region. When forming a smart specialization strategy, it is advisable to use the potential and available practical experience of the informal chemical cluster that has existed in the region for many years.