Polymers

Polymers in medicine

Main article: Polymers in medicine

2025: Russia launched the country's first production of polyester ether ketone for microelectronics for ₽300 million

Russia has put into operation the first domestic plant for the production of polyether ether ketone - a high-tech polymer for microelectronics and other critical industries. The production complex was created on the basis of the Engineering Chemical and Technological Center (IHTZ) at Tomsk State University (TSU) with a total investment of about ₽300 million. Previously, this material was completely purchased abroad, which created dependence on imports in strategic sectors of the economy. The launch of production took place on September 3, 2025. Read more here.

2024

Russia reduced exports of the most popular polymers by 47% to 522 thousand tons.

In 2024, the volume of exports of vinyl chloride polymers amounted to 522 thousand tons. This figure is 46.6% lower than in 2023. The decrease is due to a set of factors: a reduction in production due to sanctions pressure, logistical difficulties, as well as high competition in Asian markets with cheaper Korean and Chinese products, analysts at Business Profile said.

Official statistics Federal Customs Service Russia confirm that the main export of PVC was countries, EEU including. Belarus Geographical proximity, unified economic rules and well-established logistics chains make EEU it a natural priority for sales. Deliveries to other states neighboring countries are also observed.

The market entered a phase of relative stabilization in 2024, analysts said. The average price of manufacturers for PVC in December 2024 amounted to 69,358 rubles per ton. During the year, there was a moderate increase of 4-6% due to general inflation, an increase in the cost of energy carriers and an increase in the cost of modernizing production facilities on the eve of the deadline under the Minamat Convention.

According to the "Business Profile," one of the key exporters is Rusvinil (part of SIBUR), which uses the competitive advantages of the enterprise - low cost and high quality products - to advance to the markets of the EAEU and Asia. Sayanskkhimplast is also an active exporter, focused on traditional ties within the union.^[1]

Russian scientists have created a material from the discharge of organic 2D polymers for flexible optoelectronics

Material from the discharge of organic 2D polymers based on special molecules was developed by scientists from MIPT and IBHF RAS. MIPT announced this on July 24, 2024. Read more here.

2023: Moscow Polytechnic has developed polymers with wear-resistant thin film coating

The Moscow Polytechnic has developed polymers with a wear-resistant thin film coating. The university announced this on March 8, 2023.

The author of the project, a young scientist of the Moscow Polytechnic Fyodor Doronin experimentally established the possibility of effective control of the wear resistance of composites based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

The introduction of shungite into its structure reduced the wear of composites by three times, followed by gas-phase treatment increased the effect by up to 12 times. The project was implemented at the expense of a grant named after V. Fortov under the Priority 2030 program.

The results of the study can be used in the creation of various surface-modified polymers with an increased working life, as well as products based on them. Most of all they are in demand in automotive, aviation equipment, as well as for the needs of housing and communal services (for example, sealing gas rings).

For initial thermoplastics and elastomers, the adhesion mechanism of biofouling by mixed microalgae colonies was mainly observed. Gas-phase fluorination treatment demonstrated a high efficiency of enhancing biological resistance, while the bio-fouling rate was reduced by a ~ of 2 times, "said Fedor Doronin, Candidate of Technical Sciences and Head of the Department of Technology and Quality Management in Printing and Packaging Production at the Moscow Polytechnic.

The study was carried out using high-precision analytical equipment, scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectronic, IR-Fourier spectrometers were used. In particular, the researcher introduced original plants for modifying polymers into the process, they were developed by scientific teams at the Moscow Polytechnic.