Future Technologies Forum plenary session participants discuss creation of new materials and technologies for Arctic

The Arctic is a region that requires special innovative solutions. The creation and use of advanced materials, such as cold-resistant steels and frost-resistant seals, are becoming a prerequisite for successfully developing this strategically important region, bolstering Russia’s energy potential, and developing the Northern Sea Route.

At the plenary session of the Future Technologies Forum, which took place in Moscow on 20–21 February, the panellists paid special attention to issues concerning the strategic development of the Arctic and the role of advanced materials in ensuring Russia’s technological leadership in the region. The event was attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and representatives of the scientific community.

Opening the discussion ‘New Materials and Chemistry’, the main theme of the Future Technologies Forum, Assistant to the President of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Centre Vladislav Antipov spoke about the latest achievements Russian science has made in this area: “Moving on to the strategic task of developing the Arctic, it must be said that we could not get by without materials with special properties either, since such materials must work in Arctic conditions and we understand that these include low temperatures, high humidity, and much more. The Kurchatov Institute has created cold-resistant steels that today can be used to make icebreaker hulls, and these icebreakers can pass through ice that is more than four metres thick; sealing materials, paints and varnishes, and functional materials have been developed that do not lose their elasticity and work at temperatures as low as -60C. In general, the scientific and technical groundwork that has been created today allows Russia to be the only power that has its own nuclear icebreaker fleet. This groundwork opens up opportunities for the future in terms of creating Arctic underwater gas carriers.”

Antipov’s speech received support from Putin, who pointed out the importance of using advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to create innovative materials that are capable of functioning in the extreme conditions of the Arctic. Putin spoke about the project’s prospects to create underwater gas carriers to transport liquefied gas, while emphasizing the technical feasibility of this project, as well as its cost-effectiveness and safety in terms of transportation technologies.

Putin also noted that Russia is a leader in the Arctic and is ready to cooperate with other countries in the production of a nuclear icebreaker fleet, while stressing that this would be impossible without the use of modern materials.

Russia is working on a nuclear-powered underwater gas carrier project to ensure the year-round transportation of liquefied natural gas from Arctic deposits. Underwater transportation will reduce travel time due to a shorter route and high speed, and will also minimize the cost of icebreaker support. Russian scientists say the underwater gas carrier will become the basis of a unique underwater transport system that is not dependent of weather and ice conditions.

Discussion about projects and initiatives that aim to implement the strategic programme for the development of the Arctic, including the use of advanced achievements in new materials and the chemical industry, will continue at the 6th ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum, which will take place in Murmansk on 26–27 March 2025. The event is being organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Russian government.

The ‘Arctic: Territory of Dialogue’ International Arctic Forum will provide a key platform to discuss topical issues concerning the socioeconomic development of the Arctic territories and the creation of multi-faceted, multilateral mechanisms that can both unleash and effectively develop the Arctic region’s powerful resource potential.

For more information about the event, please visit the website forumarctica.ru.