By Liz White, UT staffYaroslavl, Russia-DuPont and Russian coatings supplier Russkie Kraski Corp. have created a joint venture, based in Yaroslavl, which will supply automotive coatings to vehicle makers in Russia and the former Soviet republics of eastern Europe.The partners have formed a new company, DuPont Russian Coatings llc, which will use technologies licensed from both partners, said a 31 Jan announcement.The JV "will serve expanding automotive production in Russia and other eastern European countries and builds on a series of DuPont investments designed to grow our business in emerging markets," said Marty McQuade, vice president and general manager of DuPont Automotive Systems, in the statement. DuPont claims to be the leading global maker of coatings for both the automotive OEM and the refinish markets. Its new partner Russkie Kraski is "the Russian Federation's largest manufacturer of automotive coatings and resins," according to the statement. Russkie Kraski is described as having "sophisticated research and development, technical support and sales and marketing capabilities." DuPont Russian Coatings will supply coatings to both local and international vehicle makers in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, and provide full-scale technical support. The partners intend to set up a quality control and technical service laboratory in Yaroslavl, staffed with scientists from both sides of the JV. Products for cars, trucks and buses-and for off-line-painted plastic parts, and exterior and interior metal parts-will either be toll-manufactured by Russkie Kraski or imported from DuPont plants elsewhere.Russkie Kraski's 2004 turnover was about $90 million, from a production volume of 34 kilotonnes (excluding intermediates). As well automotive and coatings, the firm makes industrial and architectural finishes, building and decorative materials and semi-finished products such as resins for making coatings products. "
