"3M Russia" expands the localization of the research base in Russia

International company 3M , a leader in innovative industrial design announces plans to deepen the process of localization of the research base in Russia , located on the industrial complex of Volokolamsk . The total investment in the development of the Russian R & D trends and the plant in Volokolamsk during the 2012 - 2014 years will be about $ 18 million addition , about $ 300 million over the next three years, the company plans to invest in the development of innovative production in the SEZ " Alabuga" . The laying of the first stone of the new plant will be November 13 .The second half of 2014 the company together with its Russian partner plans to localize the production of a unique product ACCR - high temperature composite wire for overhead power lines. This product is the qualitatively new replacement of the standard steel wires and significantly ( up to 2 times) increases the capacity of the existing transmission line.

3M is a diversified international corporation of  40,500 active patents registered each year and more than 3,000 patents in the world. During 2010-2012, according to the annual survey of Booz & Company, 3M appears regularly among the top three most innovative companies in the world . The development of the company is used in telecommunications , electronics , healthcare, manufacturing, oil and gas, metallurgy, construction , engineering and aircraft construction and other fields. Today, the share of new products released to the market over the past 5 years is 35 % of the 3M product .

In Russia, 3M is developing innovative technologies for energy efficiency, safety on the roads, creating optimal conditions for health care workers, etc. By present time the "3M Russia" has registered 5 patents - by the end of 2013 it is planned to increase the number to 10 patents. Russian Patents obtained from 3M are also available on the international market and already widely used on an industrial scale.

Sergei Dzmitruk, R & D director and board member of the "3M Russia", said: "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 up to 50%. The share of domestic innovation  of new 3M products on the Russian market is third. However, in the short term, we expect a significant increase in the number of local development thanks to the efforts of specialists in Russian research laboratories. "

In 2012, Russia opened 3 certified research laboratories on the basis of industrial production in Volokolamsk, that are engaged in self-development of new products and solutions tailored to the specifics of the Russian market and specialize in the development of the personal protection products for auto repair and corrosion-resistant coatings.

"3M Russia" in 2013 adopted a policy of providing financial incentives for employees of the patent, which serves as an additional incentive for innovation and research. The policy provides financial incentives for employees and patent-authors of innovations, inventions, utility models and know-how. Authors are paid remuneration for the transfer of all intellectual property rights, patent and use of registered inventions.
The new CEO of "3M Russia" Tim Koenig said: "In the period from 2014 to 2018," 3M Russia is planning 11% annual increase in sales. Along with the development of local production of 3M products we are expanding the localization of the research base, as aware of the high scientific potential of the Russian Federation. Thus, in the second quarter of 2014 we plan to open a new plant in the SEZ "Alabuga", which will produce abrasives products for the oil and gas industry and industrial tapes. "

In accordance with the strategy of innovative development of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2020 the increase in the proportion of enterprises deploying technological development up to 40-50 % compared to 10.4% in 2009 is expected. It is also assumed that by 2020 the gross value added of the innovation sector in the GDP of the Russian Federation will be 17-20% against 11.8% in 2009. To a large extent the achievement of these indicators will be related to the effectiveness of the localization process of innovative production and research and development (R & D ) by foreign high-tech companies. Today the Russian Government created the basic conditions that encourage international companies , that are gradually transferred to Russia and the research base . Obviously,  the Russian process is still at an early stage. However, the experience of 3M shows that the localization of R & D , which is closely related to the real industrial sector, can be an effective model of business development, beneficial for both the company and for the economy as a whole.