A groundbreaking ceremony of a new 3M’s plant in Tatarstan

The ceremony was attended by The President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Oleg Saveliev, "3M Russia" CEO Tim Koenig, Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive Linar Yakupov, SEZ "Alabuga" representatives and resident-companies of a special economic zone.

“In the period from 2014 to 2018 “3M Russia" plans to increase its sales to more than 11% annually”, - commented Tim Koenig. Products, demanded in the Russian market will be manufactured at the company's plants in Volokolamsk and Alabuga. If in 2011 the share of Russian products in the sales of "3M Russia" was only 11%, today the figure is over 15%, and by 2017 it is expected to grow till 50%.

Intention to build in Tatarstan producing plant was announced several years ago. In the active phase the negotiations came after a meeting of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and corporation’s CEO Reza Vaziri in the X International Investment Forum "Sochi- 2011", where the sides discussed prospects of locating 3M’s production in the SEZ "Alabuga". The plans were realized by the active assistance of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency and the Directorate of SEZ "Alabuga".

Resident status of a special economic zone 3M received in November 2012. In the development of innovative production in the SEZ "Alabuga" the company plans to invest about $ 300 million during the next three years.
The complex 3M will be located on an area of ​​ 20 hectares and called "3M Volga". It will begin to work in the second or third quarter of 2014. The plant will manufacture industrial products, which has more than 20 years production experience – they have been used by Russian oil and gas operators and has proven its effectiveness in BTS, "Sakhalin -1" and "Sakhalin -2”, Nord Stream and ESPO projects. The products will be sold in Russia and exported to the CIS countries.

The plant will produce hollow glass microspheres, liquid epoxy and polyurethane coatings for the repair and restoration of existing gas transmission systems, as well as factory-applied coatings, industrial adhesive tapes, different sizes of flexible abrasives and sanding belts.

3M Tatarstan also plans to develop at the site of SEZ “Alabuga” the R&D (Research and Development) direction. As Tim Koenig underscored, the R&D (Research and Development) direction is important for the company and they would like to have a good demand of 3M innovative development in Russia.

At the ceremony was also noted that the opening of a new plant is an important part of 3M’s innovative products production’s localization program in Russia, as well as the localization of research and patent activity.

"3M Russia" R&D CEO Sergey Dmitruk said that in the near future, "3M Russia" is planning to focus on the development of such areas as automotive repair (expanding of coatings, adhesives and sealants product line), anti-corrosion coatings for oil, gas and water pipes, as well as medical direction. In the perspective, thanks to the efforts of Russian research laboratories specialists are expected a significant increase of the local development.

"It is encouraging that such a large corporation like 3M is going to build its second plant in Russia in Tatarstan and intends in the next three years to invest there about 300 million dollars, - said Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive Linar Yakupov. - In addition, the company wants to develop its production in Tatarstan. We look forward to an active cooperation with 3M in this direction".

About 3M

3M - international industrial corporation that combines more than thirty lines of business in the field of electronics, energy, healthcare, security, industry and others. The company's sales are more than $ 30 billion a year and there work 88 thousand people in more than 70 countries.

3M has been working in Russia for more than 20 years. Its first production facility opened in Volokolamsk in 2008. Factory produces safety equipment, epoxy anti-corrosion coatings, products for the auto repair solutions and care products for houses.

 In 2012, in Russia was opened 3 certified research laboratories on the basis of Volokolamsk production. $ 18 million is a total investment in the development of the Russian R&D (Research and Development) direction and the plant in Volokolamsk during 2012 - 2014. 

Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Press Service