Innovations in AIRR Regions: Digest, September 7

Key weekly trends in innovation, industry, and the development of AIRR regions.

Technological Sovereignty

In Novosibirsk Region, a large-scale project has been launched to construct the ELTEX high-tech production complex for manufacturing high-precision multilayer printed circuit boards. Production capacity will reach 8,000–10,000 square meters of boards per month. The project will reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and create a foundation for further development of the region’s radioelectronics industry.

Irkutsk Heavy Machinery Plant has increased its output of specialized equipment for mineral resource extraction and metallurgy by a factor of 1.6. A total of 112 million rubles has been invested in modernizing the machine-tool fleet, including support from federal and regional Industrial Development Funds. Expanding production will enable the substitution of some imported products. The plant was visited by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov.

Science and New Technologies

In Irkutsk Region, the VII Russian Conference “MedChem-Russia 2026” is underway, bringing together more than 300 researchers, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, and medical professionals. The region annually produces up to 100 million packages of medicinal products and more than 750 tons of pharmaceutical substances. In Usolye-Sibirskoye, a parallel project is underway to establish a Federal Chemistry Center, which is expected to strengthen the domestic chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
Additionally, Governor Igor Kobzev discussed with Sergey Aldoshin, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the creation of an inter-university campus in Irkutsk.

Future Workforce Starts at School

In Novgorod Region, the fourth season of the “Space Olympiad” for schoolchildren and college students aged 11–17 is launching. Winners will have the opportunity to visit Baikonur and the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. The project, implemented by the region in partnership with Roscosmos, helps promote engineering and space-related careers among young people.

Science Cities: Infrastructure for Growth

In Dimitrovgrad, Ulyanovsk Region, urban environment development is being directly linked to the territory’s scientific potential. The master plan, developed in collaboration with Rosatom, is intended to integrate existing scientific infrastructure, the construction of the MBIR research reactor, housing, and social facilities into a unified city development strategy.

A New Logic for Territorial Development

Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Aisen Nikolaev, commented on the outcomes of Eastern Economic Forum-2026: the very logic of Far East development is changing. It is no longer just about overcoming vast distances and high costs, but about turning the unique features of our territories into advantages. Yakutia could become one of the regions where new solutions move more quickly from idea to practical application.