The prospects of using composite materials were discussed at the Interregional Conference

The Smolensk branch of Moscow State University of Railway hosted the Interregional Conference "Current State and Prospects of Production and Use of Composite Materials in the Region".

The representatives of federal agencies, industry departments, companies and business community of the region discussed the trends of the composite materials market, the prospects of creating the regional resource center profile and other issues.

In the university hall there was an exposition presenting the composite material and plastic manufacturers, operating in the Smolensk region, such as "Vanguard" OAO, "Intech-C" OOO, “JV “Kompital" ZAO.

In his opening speech Head of the Industry, Transport and Road Department of the Smolensk region Vladimir Shukalov pointed out that at the current stage of economic development regions need to develop specific programs of introducing composite materials and structures in the area of transport, housing, road infrastructure and construction.

The uniqueness of composites (fiberglass, carbon fiber reinforced plastics) is that they allow to design a material in advance to give the product its necessary properties. Modern composite materials possess properties which in some aspects exceed the properties of some conventionally used materials (steel, aluminum and titanium alloys and wood).

In our country composite materials traditionally find use first of all in the military-industry (the elements of fiberglass armor and radiation protection for armored vehicles) and space exploration. However, the use of composites in civil production is also very promising. This conference has proved it. At the conference there were panel discussions: "The introduction of products from composite materials in the house construction and communal services of the Smolensk region" and “The introduction of structures and products made of composite materials in the road construction of the Smolensk region".

"We are taking an active part in this work, - said Head of the Department Vladimir Shukalov talking to the press. - At the regional level a corresponding inter-agency working group has been set up. Our department coordinates its work. Today in the Smolensk region there are companies with significant experience in the field of practical application of composite materials. Composite pipes do not corrode, they have great potential in the field of housing as well as in the road sector. For example, the supporting structures of footbridges are made not of steel, but of composite. The first footbridge like this with a support beam made of a composite material is going to be built on the highway "Moscow - Minsk".