Special stamp and envelope to celebrate 80th anniversary of shale oil industry

On 15 December, stamps are cancelled in the Kohtla-Järve post office with a special stamp designed to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the production of industrial shale oil. Besides the stamp a special envelope has been designed, depicting the production process of the shale oil producer Viru Keemia Grupp AS (VKG) operating at the same place nowadays.

The special stamp and envelope will communicate a message of the continuity of shale oil production also outside of Estonia. However, they are not only meant for stamp collectors. As it is the time of sending Christmas wishes and cards, the people in Ida-Virumaa have an opportunity to post them in an envelope depicting the well-established shale oil industry.

The beginning of industrial production of shale oil in Estonia dates back to 24 December 1924, when fuel oil production started in Kohtla-Järve. Today, the product range is wider; oils of various fractions are produced along with other chemicals derived from shale oil. Besides traditional technologies, new ones have been developed, which allow for extracting more useful components from oil shale, while reducing the production impact on the environment.
The local oil shale continues to be used as raw material.

The shale oil industry has been recognised on a national level earlier already. In 1930, a 100-kroon note was issued, designed by the artist Günther Reindorff and depicting the first Estonian shale oil production unit, located in Kohtla-Järve.

The special stamp and envelope “80 years of shale oil industry in Kohtla-Järve” were designed by Lembit Lõhmus from Eesti Postmark.

Kohtla-Järve post office No. 3 located at Keskallee 22, Kohtla-Järve, is open from 9.00 to 18.00.

Additional information:
Elina Kink
Public Relations Manager, VKG
GSM +372 523 2700
E-mail: elina.kink(at)vkg.ee