About

Discovery of a new class of carbon materials with abnormally low density

Since the late 1970s, at Lomonosov Moscow State University a fundamental research in the field of chemistry and physics of intercalated graphite compounds (IGC) was conducted. Scientists from Chair of High Pressure Chemistry and Physics have discovered an interesting effect: a sharp increase in the sample volume (~ 1000 times) during the thermal decomposition of aluminum chloride IGC.
As a result of the “intermolecular explosion” a low-density carbon material was obtained - thermally expanded graphite (TEG) (graphite foam) with a bulk density comparable to that of air. It was found that the TEG has a number of unique physicochemical properties that make it extremely attractive for practical use as a new structural material.

Research laboratory

Especially for the development of studies of low-density carbon materials a research laboratory of New Carbon Materials Chemistry under the leadership of a young scientist Viktor Avdeev was established at Lomonosov Moscow State University at the initiative of a number of ministries and departments of the USSR. The main task of the laboratory was to create low-density high-temperature carbon materials as a protection of space and ground objects against laser and radiation effects.

The foundation of UNICHIMTEK

Because of a difficult political situation, the support of the research laboratory was suspended and scientists have to independently earn the right to do science through a practical implementation of their own developments.

Viktor Avdeev created a team of scientists and engineers and on August 22, 1990, a Research and Production Center UNICHIMTEK was founded - the first small state-owned enterprise established at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

A search for practical industrial applications of developed materials was started. Sealing materials based on flexible graphite foil were selected from a wide range of developed carbon materials. Thus, new Tensograph^® sealing materials appeared on the Russian market.

Production of sealing materials was established

From 1990-1994 unique technologies for the production of intercalated graphite compounds (IGC) and high-purity flexible graphite material Tensograph^® were developed and patented.

By 1995, a production and technical base in the field of technologies for the natural graphite processing, production of thermally expanded graphite and Tensograph^® flexible graphite foil had been created.

The production was set up and the manufacture of new on the Russian market Tensograph^® sealing materials for the sealing of general industrial equipment was organized.

The first one to appreciate the materials and technologies was the power industry.

Unichimtek is the leading Russian company in the energy and power engineering market

By 2000, UNICHIMTEK became the Russian leader in the development and implementation of domestic innovative technologies of graphite intercalation for the creation of efficient import-substituting sealing and fire protection materials.
Materials and products of the Tensograph^® and Ograx^® brands were recommended to increase reliability and safety of power equipment and facilities at RAO "UES of Russia" and to increase reliability and safety of equipment, structures and communications at power companies. Production of intercalated graphite compounds was established in Kirovo-Chepetsk, and production of graphite seals was established in Klimovsk and Moscow. A Service Center for design and manufacture of flame retardant works was established.

Seeking for new markets

In 2002, new markets were explored - Tensograph^® sealing materials and Ograx^® fire retardant materials have found their application in chemical, oil refining, nitrogen and paper industries and in chemical engineering.

Networks of sales centers were established in various regions of Russia - Siberia, Ural, Volga, North-West, South, the CIS countries (the Republic of Belarus, Ukraine).

The quality management system of the company is certified in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2001

Innovative project of a national importance

In 2002, UNICHIMTEK won in the All-Russian competition of the most important innovative projects of a national importance, organized by the Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation.
The project entitled "Development of technologies and establishment of serial production of a new generation of sealing and fire-retardant materials for general industrial use" takes 1st place and receives a state grant.

The foundation of the INCMaT

In 2003, with the participation of Lomonosov Moscow State University the first at MSU public-private Institute for New Carbon Materials and Technologies (INCMaT) was established to implement the most important innovative project and for technological development of the company.

INCMaT was founded on the basis of Chair of Chemical Technology and New Materials of the Department of Chemistry of Moscow State University with the participation of the UNICHIMTEK Group of Companies, the Russian Foundation for Technological Development, the Foundation for Assistance for Development of Small Enterprises in the Scientific and Technical Sector.

In addition to the unique team of developers created in the UNICHIMTEK Group of Companies , highly qualified specialists in various fields of physics and chemistry, in the fields of thermal, X-ray phase, sorption analysis, accelerated climatic tests, including young scientists and graduates of leading departments of Lomonosov Moscow State University and other universities were engaged.

Conversion from small to medium business

By 2006, due to the realization of the most important innovative project of a national importance, UNICHIMTEK increased its sales fourfold, which made it possible to move from small to medium business category.

As a result of the project realization in 4 years (2003 - 2006):
- 37 technologies have been developed for the production of initial components and production prototypes (lines) of sealing and fire-retardant materials for general industrial use;
- a closed, independent of import supplies industrial production of a wide range of high-performance sealing and fire protection materials of a new generation was created;
- 28 patents for inventions, utility models and industrial designs were obtained;
- the amount of tax payments to the budget exceeded the amount of the obtained state grant for the project;
- extra-budgetary investments in the organization of production, creation of production and distribution infrastructure amounted to 100% of the amount of the state grant.

UNICHIMTEK in the "TechUspech" rating of innovative companies in Russia.

Starting from 2012, the UNICHIMTEK Group of Companies is annually included in the TOP of the best innovative companies in Russia when forming the "TechUspech" rating.

TechUspech is a national rating of Russian fast-growing technology companies that have a high leadership potential in both Russian and global markets.

National Champions

The UNICHIMTEK Group of Companies was selected to participate in the priority project of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia for support of private high-tech companies-leaders entitled "National Champions", whose goal is to ensure a rapid growth of domestic private high-tech export-oriented companies and assist in the formation of Russian-based transnational companies.

Resident of the "Uzlovaya" special economic zone

In June 2017, during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Tula region governor Alexey Dyumin and chairman of the Board of Directors of the UNICHIMTEK Group of Companies Viktor Vasilyevich Avdeev signed a cooperation agreement.

The signed documents ensure the implementation of a number of investment projects in chemical industry on the territory of the «Uzlovaya» special economic zone. Several companies belonging to the UNICHIMTEK Group of Companies became residents of this special economic zone.

Launch of the new production plant in Tula Region

On 20 October 2020, the new Tensograph industrial complex, construction agreement of which was signed in 2017 at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, was inaugurated in the Uzlovaya special economic zone.

In the first phase, the production volume is expected to exceed 3000 t of graphite foil per year, more than 80% of the plant's output is planned for export. 88 jobs are to be created.