SYNTHESIA, NATIONAL ENTERPRISE, SEMTIN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004100710002-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 3, 2010
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: May 21, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004100710002-6
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18. Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, a,
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
SECRET/CON RPI, l,e Q '.~ CIALS ONLY
NO. OF PAGES 4
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
21 May 195L-
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. Syntheaia., National Enterprise, is situated northwest of Pardubice on the
north side of the Pardubice-Bohdanec road, in the Doubravice area.
2. Description of the Concern: The general layout of the enterprise is shown in the
attached sketch, and explained in the legend thereto. The following points
are in amplification of the legend:
a. Rea No. 2 on legend: This new power station, for the exclusive use of
Semtin, was built in 1952. It is steam-powered and part of the steam comes
from pipes laid from the old boiler house in Semtin to the new power station4E
in December 1952. The pipe is made of metal and has a diameter of 40 to 50,
cm., covered with glass wool, which, in turn, is covered with a layer of
zinc sheeting.
b. Re No. 5: The building which, with the gatekeeppr.IS, lodge, is shown at
fig. 5 on the sketch, measures about 50 meters. The ground floor consists of
garages for passenger cars. On the second floor there is a dining room and
a cloakroom.
c. Re} No. 10: Military advisers and experts, who use this building, wear
military uniforms. The ground-floor windows have bars and ordinary factory
employees are forbidden entry.
d. Re. No. 13: The school in this building is an elementary school for
children of employees. In addition to the school, the C.P. secretariat, and
the cadre department, there is also a food store.
>SECRRT/CONTROL U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE 1 x I ARMY
I NAVY X FAIR
FBI AEC ORR Ey x `ai~`u~ i
Synthesia, National Znterprise, Semtin DATE DISTR.
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e, Re. No. 14: The railway track which intersects the factory leads to this
first-aid post.
f.. Re. No. 16: Close to this building stands a reservoir which has a diameter of
15 meters and is 15 meters high.
g. Re. No. 18: The water in the factory is not fit for drinking. Soft drinks
are produced in this building for employees.
h. Re, No. 24: These buildings contain centrifugal processors. Various beaters
(vats with power beaters) called "Hollanders" were assembled here in 1952. These
contain mixing devices which mix raw materials, such as paper, with different
acids. The buildings have two/three stories, with an .average .size,!aif 40, x,.20: .meter?.
They all have paper roofs (sic)l because of the danger of explosions.
i. Re No. 32: In one of these underground buildings which contain "rollers", an
explosion occurred on 2 July 1952.
3. The concern produces saltpeter, nitroglycerin , oxygen, liquid air, Ecrasite,
Donelite,2 detonators,and other explosives.
4. During the whole year of 1952 there were some 8 to 10 explosions in the plant. In
those which occurred in June and July, eight people were killed.
5. Synthesia in Semtin and in Rybitvi has about 8,000 employees. The majority work in
three shifts.
6. Stavobet, National Enterprise, concerned with concrete structures, has its main
offices in Doubravice and is predominantly engaged in construction work for
Synthesia.
7. Access to the factory is through the tgatekeeper-Bs, lodge upon presentation of a
plant pass. Passes used to be controlled by the works militia,who have now been
replaced by the Interior Guard. (Vnitrni straz).
8. Only people with good cadre reports are selected for employment in Synthesia;
absenteeism and turn-over of personnel are therefore at a minimum.
9. Among the employees of Stavobet, who built the new Semtin plant, working morale
was poor.
Comment: Probably tar-base roofing paper. 25X1
Comment: Probably Donarite is meant.
Enclosure; 1 map section (Air)
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004100710002-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004100710002-6
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. Legend to sketch of site;
1. Tenement houses of employees.
2. New power station.
3. Camp of Interior Guard carrying out guard duties at Synthesia.
4.. Wire fence on concrete posts which surrounds the whole factory.
5. Gatekeeper's lodge and garage; this is the main entrance.
6. Gatekeeper:.
7. Gatekeeper,-
8, Factory management offices. Two buildings, each of 3 stories; oone is 30 x;'20
meters, the other is 15 x 20 meters.
9. Houses of the technical staff. Two buildings, each of 3 stc'.es.,uand..measuring
20 x 30 meters.
10. Military experts' offices. 3 sto?iea,.20 x:20 'meters.
11. Dining room, canteen,and factory post office.
12. Paved connecting road.
13. C.P. secretariat, cadre department, and school; 3 stories, 20-x 30 meters.
14. First-aid post. 40 meters long; 2 stories. 15. Ferro-concrete building, 30 x 30 meters and 20 meters high. Roasting of pyrites.
16. Ferro-concrete building, 3 stories,' 20 ? x 30 meters.: Inbtrumehtat for;' iigiLid
air are believed to be assembled here.
17. Storehouse. Completed in 1952, 30 x 30 meters.
18. Garage and soft-drinks p]a nt; one floor, 40 meters long.
19. Three-story building. Gatekeeper, is at western end of this building.
20.' Garages;'! olbakrooms$16nd~ forge. ' Clbakrooms dnd garages are oh' the' Bide of the
building running from north to sou-Ai. The forge is in the wing which runs at a
right angle.tb the rest.
21. Oxygen chambers, 10 x 30 meters.
22. Gas works. 5-story,,20 x 20 meters; chimney about 50 meters high; gasometer and
reservoir are adjacent to the gas works.
23. Building where saltpeter is produced. 3-story, 100 meters long. Adjacent
building, used for same purpose)is 40 x 20 meters.
24. Group of buildings.
25. Production room for nitroglycerin; iron with brick facing, 30 x 30 meters.
26. Laboratories.
27. Boiler house, 100 meters along main road. Coal is moved by conveyor belt from
trucks. Two chimneys, 90 and;`8o :r titers =high.
28. Fire station and garage.
29. Laboratory. Masonry, 30 x 15 meters.
30. Paper store. Masonry, 50 x 15 meters.
31. Gatekeepers for the buildings in the woods.
32. Underground construction in the woods. Near the gate is an oil and gasoline
dump.
33. Machine repair shop.
34. Stavobet offices.
35. Shipping department.
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004100710002-6
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Synthesia, National Enterprise,
iSemtin,
-,-- h x . . Ac -- x - x
-4- '-il-J]
SECRET/CONTROL U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/02/03: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004100710002-6