Negotiations with Yazaki Corporation

A delegation of the Japanese company met with KFU executives on August 28th.

KFU Institute of Chemistry started its cooperation with YTC America Inc. on a project titled “Development of types of nanotubes with metallic and semiconductor qualities from single-wall carbon nanotubes” this summer. The project is scheduled for one year, with a decision to be made on its prolongation based on the results. This work is headed by Senior Research Associate of the Prospective Carbon Nanomaterials Lab Ayrat Dimiev, who also was the originator of the collaboration.

President and CEO of YTCA S. Ray Chaudhuri emphasized the company's focus on commercialization of new technologies, “Our cooperation with Kazan University started recently thanks to Ayrat Dimiev. We work together on creating carbon nanomaterials. Mr. Dimiev is now faced with a complex task – to learn to separate metallic and semiconductor nanotubes”.

Yazaki representatives voiced their interest in local automotive enterprises. Rector Ilshat Gafurov noted that KFU works with KAMAZ, the largest truck producer in Russia, as well as with SEZ Alabuga. “We can become a starting point for your entry to the Russian market. Large automotive companies are concentrated near the University. In particular, our Naberezhnye Chelny Institute, which was a polytechnic institute before the university merger, is engaged in research and staff training for KAMAZ and Ford Sollers. Besides, executives of major regional companies are members of our Board of Trustees, headed by President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov”, said he.

Global automotive brands seek import substitution opportunities in Russia, with the stated goal of about 70% of locally produced components. Newly trained staff is needed for such an undertaking. With that in mind, a training center and an R&D center may be opened by YTC in Russia further down the road. KFU's vision in general is complementary to that of YTC.

This was confirmed by YTCA Chairman Junichi Kitami, who said, “Our main clients are automakers. This market lives in the atmosphere of very stiff competition. We are always working on improving our products and cutting costs. And our possible joint research with you can help strengthen our image in Tatarstan as a supplier of reliable products”.

In conclusion, the two heads of teams exchanged gifts – a decorated box from YTC and a carving plate of the University Main Building from KFU.

Guests from Yazaki plan to spend three more days in Kazan, with scheduled visits to several KFU labs and departments.