Kazan Showcases Import Substitution Technologies for Industrial and Energy Sectors
New domestic technological solutions presented in Kazan target additive manufacturing, space applications and electromagnetic reactor systems.
Part of a Systemic Industrial Program
Among the Russian innovations presented at a meeting of the scientific and technical council of Tatneftekhiminvest-holding JSC were systems for 3D printing metal components using electric arc additive manufacturing, including mobile containerized units, as well as polymer 3D printers that have no domestic analogues.
These are not isolated prototypes but elements of a broader high-technology program aimed at diversifying Russia’s industrial base. Although the event was regional, it reflected nationwide import substitution priorities. The projects span both hardware technologies and digital components, including software for control, diagnostics and monitoring.
Development of this direction strengthens collaboration between research institutions and industrial enterprises. In Tatarstan, one of Russia’s key centers for petrochemicals and chemical processing, deeper cooperation between universities, research centers and industrial leaders presents particularly strong prospects. At the same time, experts note that state support remains essential to achieve a critical mass of commercially viable projects.
Technical Focus
Applications submitted to the scientific and technical council of Tatneftekhiminvest-holding JSC came from both universities and private companies.
A researcher from Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University presented Russian solutions for electric arc additive manufacturing of metal components. Both open-type and enclosed containerized welding systems have already been developed. The latter can be transported to remote sites, including oil fields. The technology has already been used to print a manifold tee for a hydraulic fracturing unit.
Autokomponenty-Trade introduced its own additive manufacturing solutions, including proprietary printers capable of producing rubber and metal components with broad applications in heavy industry and resource extraction. Sespel plant is also developing equipment for the oil and gas sector, offering modular aluminum oil storage tanks designed for upstream operators.
Globotek LLC from Tolyatti presented waste gas treatment systems for industrial plants, CO2 utilization units and high-temperature plastic waste incineration technologies, targeting oil and chemical industry applications.
VS Engineering LLC demonstrated solutions for the petrochemical complex, including the VS Ekspert system for real-time automated monitoring and diagnostics of industrial equipment. The company’s portfolio includes specialized sensors, intelligent instruments and newly developed domestic flow meters.
Some proposals approached the level of scientific breakthrough. During the presentations, participating organizations formed collaborative partnerships that could evolve into full-scale production alliances.
A Market Looking Inward
Over the past four years, import substitution has become one of the central development strategies of Russian industry. Federal programs focus on stimulating R&D and creating incentives for universities to participate in applied engineering projects.
At the TNF 2025 Industrial Energy Forum in Tyumen, a dedicated exhibition showcased domestic engineering achievements for the fuel and energy sector. The display included 30 samples of Russian equipment and technologies developed within two years with support from the state and oil and gas companies.
Last year in Tatarstan, under the auspices of Tatneftekhiminvest-holding and regional enterprises, a series of import substitution solutions for oil, gas and chemical industries was introduced, including both hardware systems and digital monitoring technologies.
The market itself has also shown initiative. In 2024, several regional enterprises, including research institutes and small-scale manufacturers, announced domestic measuring devices, monitoring systems and diagnostic equipment for the fuel and energy complex.
The developments presented in Kazan demonstrate that import substitution is expanding beyond narrowly targeted projects and now encompasses entire technological domains. The focus extends beyond traditional mechanical engineering to include digital and environmental technologies. Research centers, companies and industrial holdings are positioning themselves to cooperate in scaling these technologies to serial production and market deployment.
