Digest #4: A selection of current news for welding market specialists
Russia to Expand Exports to Indonesia with Timber and Metallurgy Products
The volume of Russian exports to Indonesia could be expanded by including products from the forestry complex (FIC) and metallurgy, said First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov at an extended meeting of the Russian-Indonesian intergovernmental commission.
He noted the importance of diversifying export supplies from Russia to Indonesia. "We already have positive shifts here. Along with fuel and energy products, we are increasing the export of food and mineral fertilizers. In 2023, supplies of Russian wheat resumed. We expect to begin shipping meat products that meet halal standards in the near future. We see opportunities for developing exports of forestry products and metallurgy," said the First Deputy Prime Minister.
Manturov added that the expansion and simplification of mutual access of goods to markets is connected with the conclusion of a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Indonesia. On April 14, the official said that the signing of the agreement is expected before the end of 2025.
At the IGC meeting, Manturov also mentioned the plans of Russian logistics companies to develop port infrastructure in the region. "We are paying special attention to the development of cooperation in the transport sector. We are talking about creating cost-effective container routes and implementing integrated multimodal solutions. Leading Russian logistics operators are also working on investment projects aimed at developing port infrastructure," he said.
The day before, FESCO announced plans to make its first ship call at the port of Jakarta in April as part of the Vietnam-Malaysia route. Sergey Shishkarev, chairman of the board of directors of the Delo Group, told journalists about plans to create a special terminal in Novorossiysk for importing Indonesian palm oil.
Manturov also said that Russia and Indonesia are showing mutual interest in implementing joint projects in the field of shipbuilding; Russian companies are ready to offer expertise in creating hovercraft and hydrofoils.
"We note a mutual interest in implementing cooperation projects in the field of shipbuilding. We see basic potential in the segments of production of ship components, in the design and construction of ships, in particular hovercraft and hydrofoil ships, as well as innovative electric-powered ships," said the First Deputy Prime Minister.
* Source : Interfax.
More than 100 technological sovereignty projects launched in heavy industry in Moscow region
Investors are actively implementing projects aimed at ensuring technological independence in key industries of the Moscow Region. In the field of mechanical engineering and metallurgy, over 100 investment projects have been announced in the region, noted the Minister of Investments, Industry and Science of the Moscow Region, Ekaterina Zinovieva.
According to her, currently in the Moscow Region there are more than 400 projects of technical sovereignty at various stages of implementation in various industries. Of these, 109 are aimed at import substitution in the field of mechanical engineering and metallurgy. The total investment in these projects is estimated at ₽98.6 billion.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the implementation of these initiatives will create about 7.5 thousand new jobs in the region in such in-demand industries as the production of bearings, automotive components, lifting mechanism control systems, and a number of others.
* Source : "REGIONS.RU"
60 billion rubles of state support will be allocated for the development of the rare and rare earth metals industry
State support within the framework of the federal project "Development of the rare and rare earth metals industry" is envisaged at a level of approximately 60 billion rubles, said Deputy Director of the Department of Metallurgy and Materials of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Konstantin Fedorov at the conference "Rare and Rare Earth Metals" organized by Creon.
This concerns subsidies for R&D, preferential lending, the SPIC mechanism, customs and tariff regulation and other support measures, explained Fedorov. Also under development is such a tool as a subsidy for a discount on products.
Currently, Russia imports about 1.5 thousand tons of rare earth metals, Fedorov noted. By 2030, it is possible to reach a volume of domestic production of 3 thousand tons (versus 50 tons in 2024) and fully satisfy domestic demand.
In total, according to Fedorov's presentation, it is planned to reach the production of 50 thousand tons of large-tonnage rare metals (lithium, tungsten, titanium, zirconium, molybdenum, niobium, light group REE oxides) by 2030. For small-tonnage rare metals (tantalum, beryllium, hafnium, indium, gallium, rhenium, medium-heavy REE oxides) - 80 tons.
* Source : Interfax.
AVTOVAZ increases the level of robotization of production
AVTOVAZ, the largest Russian manufacturer of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, continues to systematically increase the level of robotization of production. In particular, new robotic welding complexes have been installed in the LADA Iskra welding shop, which is now ready to start industrial production. The main commissioning work has been successfully completed here.
The LADAIskra welding shop is a completely new production facility created within the framework of this project. Its area is over 40 thousand square meters, and its productivity reaches 30 bodies per hour. The shop has 17 automatic lines and 112 robots; in total, more than 4800 welding points are applied here. In total, more than 700 workers and engineers work in the shop. The latest equipment is used both in welding and in hemming and re-laying parts - for this, the design of the robots used provides for different potential for lifting capacity: from 125 to 350 kg.
In total, AVTOVAZ employs more than 1,300 robots, the largest number among all Russian automobile plants. Robots ensure high quality and productivity in the body welding and painting shops, in the press production, on engine assembly lines and on the main conveyor.
* Source : "Lada.Online".
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