The event dedicated to the anniversary took place at Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation and brought together more than 300 people
An expanded meeting of the Joint Scientific and Technical Council of JSC Giredmet (part of the Chemical and Technological Cluster of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation) was held on September 24. The event was attended by employees of the cluster, representatives of federal executive authorities, the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), universities, research institutes and partner enterprises.
Words of welcome to the institute’s employees were delivered by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation:
“I sincerely congratulate you on Giredmet’s 95th anniversary. Your institute is the founder of the domestic rare-metal industry and a flagship of materials science. In 1944, Giredmet scientists produced the first ingot of pure metallic uranium — this became a major milestone in the creation of the first Soviet nuclear reactor. Several generations of scientists worked at the institute — academicians Nikolai Sazhin, Zinaida Ershova, Boris Sakharov and many others. Modern aviation, space exploration, microelectronics and the defense industry are inconceivable without your products. I wish you new outstanding developments and professional achievements for the benefit of Russia!”
The central event of the meeting was the presentation to the institute’s staff of a Letter of Appreciation from the President of the Russian Federation for services to the nuclear industry and outstanding achievements in their work. The Letter was presented to the staff of JSC Giredmet by Evgeny Abakumov, Deputy Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation for Science and Strategy.
“The awarding of the Letter of Appreciation from the President of the Russian Federation to the Giredmet team underlines the institute’s special role as one of the pillars of the domestic nuclear industry. Giredmet’s contribution to strengthening technological sovereignty and developing the country’s scientific and technological base has been built up over many years — from the early stages of the nuclear project to today’s advanced developments. The work of generations of nuclear industry professionals forms a solid foundation for new achievements, and this award is a worthy recognition of their contribution”, Evgeny Abakumov said in his address.
Andrey Goliney, Director of the Chemical and Technological Division of JSC Rosatom Science, the managing organization of JSC Giredmet, addressed the staff with words of welcome:
“I congratulate you on the 95th anniversary of the Giredmet Institute! Established in 1931 under the leadership of Vera Glebova, the institute laid the foundation for the country’s rare-metal industry. Today, Giredmet is a leading scientific and technological center, a key participant in Rosatom projects and import substitution programs. We produce more than 300 types of high-purity materials and merged with VNIIHT in 2024, and in our anniversary year held the RAREMET-2026 Congress. Your work provides new technologies for the country. Thank you for your professionalism, and I wish you new successes!”
Veterans of the institute were awarded the Academician Nikolai Sazhin Medal for their contribution to the development of science and technology in the field of rare and rare-earth metals. Young employees were presented with Certificates of Merit on behalf of Pavel Zaitsev, Director General of JSC Rosatom Science, for significant achievements in their professional activities and their substantial personal contribution to the development of the scientific and technological potential of Russia’s nuclear industry.
The ceremonial meeting concluded with a performance by the Academic Men’s Choir of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI under the direction of Nadezhda Malyavina, Honored Artist of Russia
For reference:
The State Research and Design Institute of the Rare-Metal Industry named after N. P. Sazhin “Giredmet” is one of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation’s leading research organizations specializing in materials science. The institute was founded on September 6, 1931. It covers the entire cycle, from developing methods for the enrichment of ores containing rare and rare-earth metals to producing high-purity substances, single crystals and finished products for the electronics, nuclear, aviation and space industries. The institute has designed and commissioned dozens of industrial facilities in the former USSR, Russia and abroad. JSC Giredmet is part of the Chemical and Technological Cluster (CTC) of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation. The CTC is a system-forming structure aimed at stimulating innovation and supporting scientific and technological progress in the nuclear and related sectors of Russian industry. The CTC’s activities cover a wide range of tasks related to the development, production and implementation of new materials, composites, pure substances, as well as rare and rare-earth metals. Within this mission, the CTC serves as an integrator of scientific research, applied developments and industrial production, enabling it to ensure a high degree of synergy between the various stages of the scientific and technological cycle.
Russian companies are successfully implementing development projects and creating innovative solutions. The development of breakthrough technologies increases the competitiveness of both the nuclear industry and the national economy as a whole. Rosatom and its enterprises are actively involved in this work.