A research and technology center is planned to be established at the “Technopark H₂O” in the “Kulibin” SEZ in Dzerzhinsk

The Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and RusSilika have signed a letter of intent to establish a research and technology center at the “Technopark H₂O” within the special economic zone (SEZ) “Kulibin” as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The document was signed by Gleb Nikitin, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and Secretary of the Nizhny Novgorod regional branch of the “United Russia” party, and Mikhail Sutyaginsky, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Titan Group, on June 4, 2026.

The project aims to build a modern research and engineering base for developing new materials and specialized chemical products with high added value.

“We have a fruitful cooperation with RusSilika – a large plant for the production of silica gels and silica sols has already been launched and is operating on the territory of the “Kulibin” SEZ. Establishing a research and technology center will take our collaboration to a new level, ensuring the direct transfer of cutting‑edge chemical developments into the real economy. One of the center’s key tasks will be to develop domestic technologies and products capable of replacing imported solutions and providing Russian enterprises with the necessary materials for further production development,” noted Gleb Nikitin.

As part of the center’s operations, research and development (R&D) activities are planned across several areas, including: technologies for silica fillers in the tyre industry, carriers for catalyst systems, functional additives for paints and coatings, specialized silica materials for hygiene products and products for analytical and research applications.

“Establishing our own research center will help build a full‑fledged research and production platform for developing and implementing domestic chemical technologies. For us, this is not only an investment in production, but also an investment in competencies, people and the technological future of the industry,” emphasized Mikhail Sutyaginsky.

The “Kulibin” SEZ is managed by the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation.

“The center will serve as a platform for developing and implementing new technologies in the field of silica materials, which are in demand in the chemical industry, tyre sector, catalyst production, paints and coatings, hygiene products and other high‑tech sectors of the economy. Its establishment will allow us to combine the scientific potential of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the capabilities of regional educational institutions and the production expertise of RusSilika to accelerate the launch of new developments to the market and their subsequent industrial adoption,” said Igor Ishchenko, Director General of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation.

The project envisages the implementation of R&D across several strategic areas, including the development of stable structured silica sol, synthetic silica for toothpastes, silica fillers for the tyre industry, special carriers for catalysts, solutions for the paints and coatings sector and specialized materials for chromatography.

For reference, the 29^th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is being held on June 3-6, 2026. SPIEF has been held annually since 1997, and since 2006 – under the patronage and with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Over the years, the forum has become a leading global platform for dialogue among business representatives and for discussing key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets and the world at large.