rus
Issue #1/2016
A.Kovalev: "I hope that in the future we will be able to use Russian materials"
The Zelenograd nanotechnology centre (ZNTC) was established in 2010 by the Rosnano corporation, the National Research University of Electronic Technology MIET and Zelenograd innovation and technology centre for the research and development in the field of nano- and microsystems technology, the creation of and support to innovative technology companies. ZNTC produces electronic components, provides technology services, offers an advanced network of centres for collective use, and also acts as a co-investor in new projects. The nanotechnology centre actively collaborates with industry associations, in particular, with SEMI. At SEMICON Europa fair, we talked with Anatoly Kovalev, the General Director of ZNTC.
What were the goals of ZNTC participation in SEMICON Europa?
In the first place, SEMICON is interesting to us as electronic component designers and manufacturers because of the possibility of establishing new contacts with the suppliers of equipment, materials and services, which make up the majority of exhibitors at the fair. We also participated in the meeting of SEMI, dedicated to cooperation with Russia. The meeting was useful as our European partners had confirmed their interest in the Russian market and promised to assist in mitigating the constraints associated with the equipment and material supplies from Europe. In addition, we are developing cooperation with colleagues from organisations of the similar profile, in particular, with the Fraunhofer institutes.
In general, the fair made a good impression. Importantly, it provides conditions for the full-time communication with colleagues, and this making it possible to negotiate and solve current problems in a much more effective manner. We visit the SEMICON Europa annually and we hope that the representation of European companies at the SEMICON Russia fair will increase.
In what areas do you cooperate with the Fraunhofer institutes?
One of our portfolio companies implements a joint project with Fraunhofer IZM (Fraunhofer-Institut für Zuverlässigkeit und Mikrointegration) in the area of 3D integration for multi-chip module. At the current stage of the project German colleagues make samples of structures, and we study them. 3D integration is an interesting and in-demand area, so we plan to implement it in our production. A technology is being developed with vertical integration (through-silicon via – TSV) without interposers. Fraunhofer IZM have achieved good results in this area, so in the future, with development of our production base, we plan to strengthen this partnership.
We also establish relationships with the Fraunhofer IPMS (Fraunhofer-Institut für Photonische Mikrosysteme) in which our staff have been trained recently.
How to solve the problem of limited supply of equipment and materials from Europe due to the economic sanctions?
We have to look for new suppliers for lithography photoresists, special gases and some other materials. Some companies from East Asia including Japan and even the US have expressed willingness to cooperate but there are complications associated with the need to change the logistics. Whereas previously the majority of supplies to Russia passed through European representations, direct relationships need to be established in the current situation. We gradually solve the problem while European companies are trying to break the deadlock as they are not interested in the loss of the Russian market. For example, there is an idea to make up a list of Russian organizations that are not engaged in military and special projects and can be withdrawn from the sanctions list, or to draw up list of allowed to supply materials and equipment. Let us see whether these ideas can be put into practice.
How realistic is import substitution in the field of materials for the electronic industry?
We already buy some types of products, such as substrates from Russian companies, but, for example, some ultra pure materials for standards below 350 nm are not yet available in our country. There are plans to develop and set up production but it would need quite a long time as some sophisticated technologies need to be mastered. Nevertheless, I hope that in the future we will be able to use Russian materials.
What were the goals of ZNTC participation in SEMICON Europa?
In the first place, SEMICON is interesting to us as electronic component designers and manufacturers because of the possibility of establishing new contacts with the suppliers of equipment, materials and services, which make up the majority of exhibitors at the fair. We also participated in the meeting of SEMI, dedicated to cooperation with Russia. The meeting was useful as our European partners had confirmed their interest in the Russian market and promised to assist in mitigating the constraints associated with the equipment and material supplies from Europe. In addition, we are developing cooperation with colleagues from organisations of the similar profile, in particular, with the Fraunhofer institutes.
In general, the fair made a good impression. Importantly, it provides conditions for the full-time communication with colleagues, and this making it possible to negotiate and solve current problems in a much more effective manner. We visit the SEMICON Europa annually and we hope that the representation of European companies at the SEMICON Russia fair will increase.
In what areas do you cooperate with the Fraunhofer institutes?
One of our portfolio companies implements a joint project with Fraunhofer IZM (Fraunhofer-Institut für Zuverlässigkeit und Mikrointegration) in the area of 3D integration for multi-chip module. At the current stage of the project German colleagues make samples of structures, and we study them. 3D integration is an interesting and in-demand area, so we plan to implement it in our production. A technology is being developed with vertical integration (through-silicon via – TSV) without interposers. Fraunhofer IZM have achieved good results in this area, so in the future, with development of our production base, we plan to strengthen this partnership.
We also establish relationships with the Fraunhofer IPMS (Fraunhofer-Institut für Photonische Mikrosysteme) in which our staff have been trained recently.
How to solve the problem of limited supply of equipment and materials from Europe due to the economic sanctions?
We have to look for new suppliers for lithography photoresists, special gases and some other materials. Some companies from East Asia including Japan and even the US have expressed willingness to cooperate but there are complications associated with the need to change the logistics. Whereas previously the majority of supplies to Russia passed through European representations, direct relationships need to be established in the current situation. We gradually solve the problem while European companies are trying to break the deadlock as they are not interested in the loss of the Russian market. For example, there is an idea to make up a list of Russian organizations that are not engaged in military and special projects and can be withdrawn from the sanctions list, or to draw up list of allowed to supply materials and equipment. Let us see whether these ideas can be put into practice.
How realistic is import substitution in the field of materials for the electronic industry?
We already buy some types of products, such as substrates from Russian companies, but, for example, some ultra pure materials for standards below 350 nm are not yet available in our country. There are plans to develop and set up production but it would need quite a long time as some sophisticated technologies need to be mastered. Nevertheless, I hope that in the future we will be able to use Russian materials.
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