Moscow institute links with DSM
15 Jan 2000
Dutch polymers specialist DSM has established a joint research centre with the Moscow Institute of Chemical Physics. Sited in Moscow, the institute - to be known as DIRC - will act as a technical consultancy for DSM Research in Geleen, the Netherlands.
The Institute of Chemical Physics is part of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and was established in 1924. It employs about 1000 scientists, and has links with the Moscow State University, the Moscow Physico-Technical Institute and the Moscow Chemical-Technological Institute.
Initially, DIRC will employ ten full-time researchers. According to DSM's chairman of corporate research, Jacques Joosten, the centre will focus on polymers and resins. `The ICP is a world leader [in polymer and resin research], especially in the field of fluorine chemistry and fluoro modified compounds,' he said `We have high expectations for this cooperation,' he added.
The director of the ICP, Alexander Berlin, expects the centre's expertise in developing composites for aircraft, shipbuilding and other applications to be particularly valuable. Combined with DSM's expertise, the link is `a guarantee for excellent results,' he claims.
