The Origin of the Name PLINFA

The name PLINFA originates from Old Slavic and means “thin brick.” The word for brick itself has Turkic origins and appeared much later, whereas plinfa was used in ancient times.
A vivid historical example can be seen in fragments of ancient masonry made from plinfa, preserved in structures such as the walls at the entrance to the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv.
This continuity of tradition, respect for the material, and engineering culture form the foundation of PLINFA’s philosophy.

PLINFA Today

Today, the central office of PLINFA is located in Kharkiv — one of Ukraine’s leading scientific and industrial centers, with deep historical traditions in ceramics and building materials production.
It was here that the ceramic engineering school was formed:

• In 1902, the Krasny Oktyabr plant produced the first brick press.
• In 1926, at the Kharkiv Technological Institute (now NTU “KhPI”), world-renowned scientist Petro Budnikov founded the Department of Silicate Technology — a foundation for training specialists for the ceramic industry.
• In 1927, the Research Institute of Refractories was established.
• In 1951, the Central Design Bureau “Strommashina” was created, beginning the design of specialized equipment for brick plants.

These scientific and industrial traditions became the foundation for the development of the modern PLINFA engineering school.

Our Approach and Core Competence

PLINFA builds upon long-standing traditions in ceramic science and technology and is the only engineering-industrial group in the post-Soviet region that delivers the full cycle of turnkey brick business creation.
We manage every stage of the project:

• raw material analysis and testing
• pre-design studies and feasibility calculations
• design of plants and technological lines
• equipment supply
• installation and commissioning
• personnel training
• technical support and operational assistance

Our goal is not merely to supply equipment, but to create a stable, economically efficient brick plant tailored to the customer’s raw materials and operating conditions.