Alcoa, OJSC RUSNANO and JSC Holding Inter regional Distribution Grid Companies signed Memorandum of Intent to establish JV for the development and production of nano coatings. The memorandum was signed at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum by Anatoly Chubais CEO of OJSC RUSNANO, Mr Klaus Kleinfeld chairman of Alcoa and Mr Boris Mekhanoshin deputy DG and technical director of JSC Holding IDGC.

The JV will produce a broad range of applications including anti icing nano structured coatings for ground cables wires and other components of power transmission lines. The project also includes production of next generation wires and cables with improved conductivity and anti icing properties for JSC Holding IDGC companies. Alcoa and RUSNANO JV will look to install a pilot production line for the application of nano coatings. JSC Holding IDGC, in turn will support implementation of corresponding research and development, tests and certification of new high tech products.

Mr Chubais said that “It’s well known that icing and rupture of power transmission lines due to inclement weather conditions is one of the most acute problems for Russian power engineers. We expect our joint development of nano coatings for existing power lines and future production of next generation cables will fix that problem.”

Mr Kleinfeld said that “Alcoa and its partners RUSNANO and JSC Holding IDGC offer unique technological and production capacity. Together we hope to open new opportunities for the aluminum industry in Russia.”

Mr Nickolay Shvets DG of JSC Holding MRSK said that last winter’s icy rain were proof of the need for wires with anti icing properties. The technology will reduce power outages and increase service life. Producing next generation wires and cables in Russia to meet the demands of the country’s power distribution grid will be an important step in improving system reliability of power supply to consumers.