1977 AD., Germany, German Democratic Republic, BUNA chemical company medal for merits.

Germany, German Democratic Republic ("DDR"), BUNA chemical company medal for merits, 1977 AD.,
Medal (ø 35,5 mm / 24,88 g), copper-nickel, axes medal alignment ↑↑ (0°), plain edge,
Obv.: · KV · JG · CHEMIE · GLAS · UND · KERAMIK · / BUNA // Für / hervorragende / Wettbewerbs- / initiativen / * , circular and four lines central legend, star below.
Rev.: 1917 / 1977 , head of Lenin facing left within five-pointed Soviet star and rays.
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Year /Mintage
1983 / ?

Buna Werke Schkopau were a chemical company specialising in the production of polymer materials such as plastics and artificial rubber. The name BUNA is derived from the technology of polymerising butadiene with sodium (chemical symbol: Na) as a catalyst.
In order to make Germany independent from the importation of natural rubber, the first industrial plant for the production of artificial rubber was built in Schkopau near Halle (Saale) and named Buna-Werke GmbH Schkopau. It was a subsidiary of Ammoniakwerk Merseburg GmbH, later known as Leunawerke, which belonged to IG Farben. The foundation stone was laid in April 1936.
duction of artificial rubber started in 1937. Other products were PVC and basic chemicals such as trichlorethylene, formaldehyde, tetrahydrofuran, acetic acid, and acetone. Another factory, Hüls-Werke in Marl started production of Buna rubber in 1939.
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Under Soviet administration after World War II, Buna Werke Schkopau were expropriated and - under the name Chemische Werke Buna - became part of Sowjetische Aktiengesellschaft (SAG) Kautschuk in order to cover reparation demands of the Soviet Union. They were transferred into a publicly owned corporation (VEB Chemische Werke Buna) within Kombinat Chemische Werke Buna. Its slogan Plaste und Elaste aus Schkopau referred to its main products, namely the rigid plastics (Plaste) and the elastic materials (synthetic rubbers, Elaste). With about 18000 employees, Buna Werke were one of the five largest industrial combines of the GDR. In order to provide sufficient accommodation for the workforce, new town quarters were built in Halle (Saale) and Merseburg. The new town of Halle-Neustadt was built specifically for the workers of the chemical plants in Schkopau and Leuna, and suburban railway lines provided transportation for commuters.
Buna Werke Schkopau became the world's largest producer of calcium carbide in 1958. Its outdated production plants caused severe environmental pollution.

More on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buna_Werke_Schkopau