KFU executives met with colleagues from RCTEC and their main clients Tatcable on April 25th.

The controlling stake in RCTEC now belongs to Kazan University, so a meeting was in order to talk about new forms of cooperation.

Rector of KFU Ilshat Gafurov noted that this is a welcome change since the University is aimed at technology transfer. He said, “We have to approve a joint work program before June 1st. We can buy equipment and create new production lines if necessary. For this we can meet as often as needed – here or at the University”.

The Rector was accompanied by a number of leading researchers in chemistry, oil refining, polymers, and new materials. They had the opportunity to look at RCTEC's premises. The Center can produce the annual quantity of required HFFR (halogen free flame retardant) compounds for Tatcable in just two months. The remaining ten months can be allocated more or less freely to different tasks.

Director of the Institute of Chemistry Vladimir Galkin summarized, “The equipment is good, and we can complement each other. However, I see your main problem. It's the same as ours: no constant long term clients for whom you can widen your research”.

Dr. Gafurov added that the lab and the production line should not stay waiting for a consumer. Young scientists with new ideas should think of new materials and new products, the ones that potential clients have not even yet imagined. If a product is good, it will find demand, he said.

PVC plasticate and HFFR compound production is a major contribution to the engineering services of the Center. New materials are not the only direction of work, though. One of the labs here also conducts technical tests.

Vice-Rector Danis Nurgaliev said about the cable engineering projects, «Cable is a start. There is much good work to be done here. You are successful in chemistry, now it's time for our physicists to step in. You mustn't stop at working only with Tatcable. This company is a large partner with which you can develop new interesting projects».

RCTEC is now tasked with strengthening its potential with new researchers and production lines.

In conclusion, everyone was invited to visit Tatcable. The company is interested in a new polymer for high-voltage cables and wants it to be produced only in Russia. This is a worthy new challenge for KFU and RCTEC.