Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry plans to include requirements for polymer components in assessment for localization of cars

MOSCOW. June 23 (Interfax) - Russia's Industry and Trade Ministry plans to include requirements for polymer components in the system to assess localization of cars going forward, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said.

"With SIBUR, of course, the polymer industry, thanks to their investments, their projects, is developing very actively. They work, shall we say, with their consumer potentially very carefully. Therefore, we, of course, will help, not to tighten, but to introduce additional requirements, so that we could gain more localization points owing to the use of polymer products in our vehicles, among other matters," Alikhanov said during an interview with Rossiya 24 TV.

"This is a very serious challenge for us, because when we were developing the localization system, this is the 719th resolution, [...] We have done some stamping, done some welding, painted the engine, well, that is good, great. In fact, the chemical industry supplies a wide range of products, namely various plastics, interiors, bumpers, some rubber products, tires," Alikhanov said.

The situation is currently that the paint used for cars is imported, he said.

"I have asked my guys 'Tell me what we paint with? Well, whose paint is it?' Most of the paint is not ours yet. We are currently working with our chemical manufacturers in this area," Alikhanov said.

"The main matter, of course, is to ensure quality. If we can achieve quality, and I am sure we can, then work is already in its final stages. Then we will systematically revise the 719th resolution and include requirements that if one wants us to count the painting of the body as a localized operation in our country, then be so kind as to use Russian paint," he said.