Fertilizing the Digital Field: Russian Chemical Giant Builds Its Own IT Platform
Russia’s digital economy is getting a surprising boost from an unexpected player — a major fertilizer producer that's developing advanced IT platforms to automate, optimize, and secure its operations.
IT Meets Industrial Chemistry
Acron Group, one of the world’s largest producers of mineral fertilizers, has become a pioneer in the chemical industry by developing an in-house IT solution for registering over-the-counter (OTC) contracts. Built from scratch on the 1C platform by its subsidiary ITOffice LLC, the system is already successfully handling transaction registration via a web service integrated with the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange (SPIMEX).
Securing Digital Autonomy
Since 2022, Russian law has required producers to register all OTC trades involving fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen, or potassium in volumes over 20 tons via SPIMEX. By deploying its proprietary platform, Acron has already registered and submitted more than 12,000 contracts and supplemental agreements with domestic agricultural producers.
Previously, companies relied on third-party systems for such registrations. This external dependency brought concerns about data control, limited flexibility, and expensive licensing. ITOffice’s 1C-based platform gives Acron full digital independence — tailored specifically to the company’s workflows.
Beyond automating documentation, the system improves transparency and efficiency in handling OTC contracts. Acron reports the implementation has shortened processing times, eliminated documentation errors, and enhanced decision-making through better analytics.
Building Local Digital Ecosystems
Over the past five years, Russia has seen a surge in localized IT solutions. Acron’s efforts align with the national strategy to localize critical IT infrastructure as part of the broader push toward digital sovereignty.
The OTC contract registration tool is just one of several digital initiatives from ITOffice. In 2025, Acron's Dorogobuzh site implemented a 'Digital Incoming Inspection' system to automate the receipt, verification, and accounting of raw materials and equipment. In June, the company launched its corporate mobile platform, Acron SuperApp, which unites key internal services: the ISA ERP system, ITSM tech support, video conferencing, HR document management, and an AI assistant.
Also in June, Acron rolled out Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technologies into industrial production, automating the handling of both digital and paper-based data.
Efficiency, Resilience, and Global-Grade Innovation
"These technologies have accelerated document processing fivefold, reduced internal information retrieval to mere minutes, and freed up about 20% of valuable human resources," said Mikhail Yaskevich, First Deputy Executive Director and Chief Engineer of Acron.
While initially intended for corporate use, Acron’s IT solutions represent a successful example of import substitution amid global sanctions. They showcase the ability of Russian enterprises to build world-class digital tools. The development of independent digital ecosystems within heavy industry strengthens the country’s technological resilience and opens the door to broader adoption across sectors.
