SIBUR begins construction of R&D center in Kazan
KAZAN. Feb 22 (Interfax) - SIBUR on Thursday began construction of a research and technology scaling center in Kazan, which will provide for a full cycle of creating new synthetic materials for key sectors of the Russian economy, the company's press service said in a statement.
The key areas of operation for SIBUR's R&D center will be the development and scaling of new polyolefin and heterogeneous catalysts, synthesis and piloting of new products for the development of the company's existing chains and creation of fundamentally new materials, process modeling and engineering, development of new technologies, implementation of projects aimed at decarbonization, a closed cycle economy and digital initiatives.
"The center will combine two key areas - development of new products and technologies in the field of oil and gas chemistry with scaling to industrial applications. One of the main focuses of the new center will be the development of new materials, including superstructural plastics to meet the prospective and import substitution demand in medicine, construction, automotive and other industries," the statement said.
SIBUR expects that combining laboratory research and the ability to immediately pilot the results obtained at one site will accelerate the pace of development by 25%.
The capabilities of the center will create a platform for R&D development, further localization of all catalysts in demand in oil and gas chemistry and independent creation of new generations of these catalysts. Another important area of the new center's work will be the development of technologies for chemical recycling of polymers, which will make it possible to recycle polymer waste into primary raw materials without limiting its use.
The company will invest 8-10 billion rubles in the R&D center, head of the holding Mikhail Karisalov told reporters in Kazan.
The buildings of the R&D center will be integrated into SIBUR's business district in Kazan, which is being created in close proximity to Kazanorgsintez . The center will become a part of the Northern Gate industrial park, creation of which was specified in an agreement Kazanorgsintez signed earlier in February with the Alabuga special economic zone.
The R&D center project envisages construction of two buildings with a total area of more than 18,000 square meters, of which laboratory space and pilot units will comprise 10,000 square meters. SIBUR plans to complete construction and open the center in 2026.