Rosatom Achieves Major Success in Composites

Rosatom Achieves Major Success in Composites The Umatex Group of Companies, a unit of Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom and a producer of carbon fiber-related products, has achieved significant milestones. Among the company's most important accomplishments was its contribution to the development of the new Russian mid-range MC-21-300 aircraft, which has a capacity of 163 to 211 passengers. Umatex composites are used in wing panels measuring 17.5 meters in length, in the fuselage sections, lifting devices, and tail assembly. The aircraft successfully completed its first test flight. At the event where the flight took place, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov announced that two sets of composite wings have been manufactured and a third has entered production. The first customers will take delivery of their aircraft this year as the certification process is completed. Rossiya Airlines will be the first operator of the new aircraft. Umatex also opened a plant in November 2021 in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan to produce polyacrylonitrile (PAN), the most common carbon fiber precursor previously imported from China. Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, spoke at the Borderless Composites Forum held in November 2021, saying: "Composites are not only a profitable business, but also a good solution to the climate problems the entire world currently faces. In terms of product quality and environmental criteria, our composites fully meet sustainable development requirements. Whether used in aircraft or automobiles, they make a product 20 percent lighter. This means reducing emissions by 20 percent during operation while increasing mileage, which is a very important capability. The same applies to the construction sector, where we can achieve savings of 30-40 percent throughout the supply chain by using composite materials instead of steel and concrete. The savings achieved in energy and production processes make a significant difference for the climate." Umatex CEO Alexander Tyunin stated during his address at the forum: "As recently as 2015-2016, more than 80 percent of carbon-based materials consumed in Russia were imported. Today the country produces more than 90 percent of carbon fiber fabrics and manufactures prepregs domestically. Over the past five years, we have built a comprehensive supply chain." The new facility will produce 5,000 tonnes of PAN precursor annually. This volume will be sufficient to supply raw materials to two carbon fiber producers at Alabuga (Tatarstan) and Balakovo (Saratov Region) Argon. Speaking at the facility's opening ceremony, Vittorio Torrembini, President of the Italian Entrepreneurs Union in Russia (GIM UNİMPRESA), said: "This is another milestone in close relations between Italy and Russia. Umatex has long worked with Italian companies. It supplies composite parts for Italian motorcycles and provides high-quality carbon-based fabrics for yachts and motorboats to leading shipyards in the country. Meanwhile, a company from Piacenza in northern Italy supplies equipment for the Russian plant. Both sides benefit from this cooperation. We hope these close Italian-Russian relations will continue." Among the cooperation areas mentioned by Torrembini is the design and production of composite coatings that reduce wind resistance and improve motorcycle speed performance. In 2021, the first motorcycle equipped with an Umatex carbon shell competed in the British Superbike Championship. Additionally, a member of the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team participated in the Superbike World Championship held in Spain, Italy, and England in May-July 2021. Ice hockey stick production is another notable activity in the sports sector. Zaryad, a subsidiary of Umatex, manufactures ice hockey sticks under its own brand name for all age groups—children, youth, and adults—and all skill categories including professional, semi-professional, and amateur players. Zaryad ice hockey sticks are exported to Latvia and Canada. Composite materials are also used in construction to reinforce structures. For example, Russian hydroelectric company RusHydro used FibArm carbon straps to reinforce pipelines at the Ezmi Hydroelectric Power Station. Russian power grid operator Rosseti employed the same technique when repairing power transmission towers. In a campaign to eliminate old waste in Usolye-Sibirskoye in Irkutsk Region, composite piles were used to protect soil from hydrocarbon leakage. Composites are also used in nuclear engineering as structural materials for 9+ Generation gas centrifuges. Umatex has begun developing composite tanks for hydrogen transportation, which are expected to be lighter and stronger than steel.