One of the heroes of the new video project "Tatarstan, get started!", designed to tell about the success stories of our Republic young technological entrepreneurs, is a student of the Institute of Polymers of KNRTU Artur Bagaveev. Artur not only knows and loves chemistry, but also knows how to turn knowledge into practically valuable developments.

Last year Artur Bagaveev won the Student Startup competition, held within the framework of the federal project "Platform for University Technological Entrepreneurship" with the project "Development of a composite material based on recycled polyethylene packaging and vegetable fillers with improved performance characteristics”. A grant of one million rubles has been allocated to the designer to support the development.

— The project presented in the Student Startup competition is simultaneously related to two significant industries at once. These are the agro-industrial complex and the forestry industry, on the one hand, and the polymer processing and synthesis industry," said the developer. The work of agro- and timber enterprises inevitably leads to the appearance of organic waste, which is difficult to dispose of, and, once in nature, seriously pollute it. Human life is now unthinkable without all kinds of polymer materials — they also end up in waste and worsen the enviroment of the planet. I propose a solution that helps to soothe both problems.

The composite material, for the production of which the KNRTU student proposed using polymer, lignin-cellulose and other waste, is characterized by wide applicability: children's toys, durable floor coverings, machine parts and much more can be made from it. At the same time, the macromechanical properties of the composite turn out to be very close to those of primary materials.

Similar materials cellulose-polymer composites, bioplastics, etc. are being developed in different countries and find their consumers, says Arthur. They are cheaper due to the availability of raw materials, their production solves the problem of waste disposal. There are also plants in Russia where the production of polymer biocomposites is deployed, and we intend to cooperate with them.

The business of developing new materials for a future engineer is not a random choice. Artur Bagaveev is a graduate of the chemical boarding lyceum of KNRTU, he has taken interest in chemistry and chemical technology since his school years, and after enrolling at the university, he simultaneously began working at a chemical enterprise. The young researcher used the knowledge and skills acquired at school, university and in production to create a promising project.

My teachers’ support helps me a lot in my studies and work. At first, my favorite chemical lyceum teachers now they are university teachers: Ilnur Fayzullin, scientific supervisor, and Svetoslav Wolfson, Head of the Department of Chemistry and Elastomer Processing Technology at KNRTU. Special thanks to my chief and mentor Renat Akhmadullin for his continued support and ability to motivate," says Artur Bagaveev.

Artur has already conducted laboratory tests, an analysis of the physico-chemical properties of the obtained materials, market analysis, an assessment of the partner enterprises capabilities and documentation development. The next step is the transition from laboratory to pilot scale, and the million received under the grant will be very useful here.

At the same time, he conducts research in other promising areas. This year, and this is what he tells the viewers of the Tatarstan, Get Started! project, Artur Bagaveev has already presented a preliminary design of an equally original and high—tech product, eyelash glue. Watch this and other releases of the new project on social media "Tatarstan, get started!"