Bryansk application RUSNANO

Nanocomposite coatings domestic production can increase the life of the pipeline up to 60-80 years

Most of the gas pipeline "Power of Siberia" will be built on the basis of the pipes are protected from corrosion nanocomposite domestic production. Plant polymer coatings of the Bryansk region with the help of RUSNANO was able to oust the Russian market with the world's giants of the chemical industry.

- The Russian market of polymer coatings for corrosion protection of pipes has always been closed to the domestic producer, and it is not surprising that many of my business colleagues were skeptical: perhaps you will be able to deal with Europe, and even in the service sector for the rich oil industry? - With this story began, General Director of JSC "Metaclay" Sergei Shtepa.

Indeed, in the early 2000s, when the idea caught fire Shtepa, Russian pipe industry was so dependent on foreign suppliers, that one day to reduce the cost of large-diameter pipes Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation was even forced to reset the first 9 months of import duties on high-density polyethylene - at the request of manufacturers of pipes. Foreign monopoly enjoyed free access to our market, at its discretion, changing pricing policies, where appropriate dumping and thus pushing local producers.

Reigned opinion - Russian high-tech is not promising, because contrary to the interests of the owners of the largest commodity business

- We have already had severe laboratory tests, which gave unique results: polymer nanocomposites for high-density anti-corrosion protection of pipes of large diameter can increase the lifetime of the pipeline up to 60-80 years, - says Sergey Shtepa. - These results have not yet been able to achieve any one of the world competition. But ... the view prevailed that no Russian high-tech is not promising, because it contradicts the interests of the largest owners of the commodity business: pipe pumps oil and gas, growing exports, with imports is not a problem - so it is beneficial to keep the country on the "raw needle". But just then I heard another point of view, at first sight paradoxical. And not just anywhere, but in the leadership of Rusnano. Later it was publicly announced by Anatoly Chubais: "The Russian energy industry, which provides 50% of budget revenues, 30% of GDP, provides a unique market for innovative products."

Shtepa applied to RUSNANO, has successfully passed a series of challenging selection procedures. The project came to a real investment. The company was founded "Metaclay" in the Bryansk region. The total project budget amounted to 2.2 billion rubles, of which 1.75 billion accounted for RUSNANO, and the rest - private investors. Radically situation Gazprom has launched a program of import substitution, which is supervised personally, Alexei Miller, and the support provided by its portfolio company RUSNANO.

- Products "Metaclay" has been certified by the Institute of VNIIGAZ, then we started to tense but constructive negotiations with the domestic producers of pipes. In the beginning, of course, there were some doubts about whether we can make coating, competing on quality with the West. But our specialists consulted - proudly says Shtepa.

Companies' Metaclay "managed to occupy 20% of the Russian market of polymers for corrosion protection of large-diameter pipes

Domestic development of polymeric nanocomposites to protect the pipe from corrosion have taken a worthy place in the market. "After one and a half or two years of testing" Metaclay "has signed agreements with all Russian tube manufacturers" - provides information RUSNANO managing director, curator Andrew bitter. At the end of 2014 revenues increased more than five times and reached 2.15 billion rubles. The company managed to occupy 20% of the Russian market of polymers for corrosion protection of large diameter pipes. Himself Shtepa sure "Metaclay" will not stop there: before the end of the year the company will launch a new production line and increase the capacity of the plant up to 85 th. Tons per year of polymer coatings. And recently it became known that most of the gas pipeline "Power of Siberia" will be built with the use of nanostructured polymer coating of Russian production - put the pipe OMC, CTRP, TMK, OMZ and "Titus." So now the plant does not only work in three shifts, but also to buy new equipment.

According to Sergei Shtepa, the company is preparing to move from import substitution to importooperezheniyu - by its own scientific and technological laboratory in Moscow. Indeed, "Metaclay" is ready to offer the market new solutions. For monolayer nanocomposite coating can improve the performance of large-diameter pipe production at steel mills and reduce costs for laying new pipelines. Another development of the company - a polymer replacing natural bitumen - improve the quality and extend the life of the pavement.