Russian n-corporation to make carbon fibre fabrics in IndiaParis, March 21 (AZINS) Russian atomic power corporation Rosatom on Tuesday said its subsidiary UMATEX Group has signed agreements with Indian companies for localisation of the Russian carbon fibre-based fabric production in India.

"We are ready for localisation of carbon fibre products in India, as well as support in joint development and production of consumer goods, including helmets and high pressure cylinders," UMATEX Group General Director Alexander Tyunin told reporters here on the sidelines of Composite World Exhibition 2017.

"The current programmes in India with carbon fibre products depend on the supplies from various foreign sources," he said.

According to Tyunin, both sides will also explore the localization of prepreg production in India and supplying of multifunctional resins, as well as other epoxy systems, from India for the production of prepregs in Russia.

Prepreg is reinforced fabric that has been "pre-impregnated" with a resin system, making for composite fibers.

"Today, composites are increasingly replacing metals in aircraft, motor industry and shipbuilding, wind energy, medicine, construction and other industries," Tyunin said.

Rusatom International Network Regional Vice President Alexey Pimenov, who is based in Mumbai, said the localization of production will reduce costs and, thereby, create opportunities for Russo-Indian joint production for export to other countries in Asia and Africa.

"The decision to localize production confirms Russia's readiness to share modern technology with its strategic partner India and go beyond the construction of nuclear power plants," Pimenov said.

Rosatom, which is constructing the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu, is also looking at the assembly of fuel rods in India.

Two reactors at KNPP are already up and running, while four more are in the pipeline. The two countries also plan to build 12 more reactors in the next two decades.

A 'Programme of Action' for localisation of manufacturing in India for Russia-designed nuclear plants was signed between India's Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Rosatom in December 2015.

The programme includes joint machinery production, especially for nuclear power plants, as well as cooperation in the fields of joint development and technological support for heavy and power engineering industries.