The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation has announced a tender for R&D to create technology and organize the production of tantalum powders. The raw materials will be used for the needs of the domestic electronic industry, the Kommersant newspaper writes.
The declared value of the tender is 300 million rubles. The ministry expects that the production of tantalum powders will be launched in a couple of years. Russia's own processing of the rare metal is designed to replace products that are purchased in Kazakhstan, China and Germany.
Currently Russian companies send tantalum to third countries, after which they purchase already processed raw materials for manufacturers of electronic components. Last year, amid sanctions, exports of tantalum and other high-tech metals from the Russian Federation fell by half.
Experts believe that the tender amount will be enough for R&D, but additional investment will be required for the full implementation of the project. According to analysts, most likely, Rosatom will take over the development of technology and the production of powders. Among other applicants, there are specialized universities and institutes under the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
