Exceptional Expertise in Aviation Research and Production

Romania’s National Research and Development Institute for Gas Turbines (COMOTI) specialises in cutting-edge aviation research as well as in the production of innovative gas turbines that meet the highest international standards. Through its globally recognised aviation research, the Institute is carrying on the tradition of Romania’s aviation legend Henri Coanda and of George Constantinescu, who developed the theory of sonics. In fact, the world’s first jet aircraft was developed in Romania.

Valentin Silivestru, President of COMOTI, explains the Institute’s prestigious history. He says, “COMOTI grew out of the former National Aviation Institute, which is known in specialty circles around the world for its exceptional traditions in aviation science. This organisation has always been a pioneer. For example, when the factory in Brasov opened between the two World Wars, it was the third aviation factory in the world at that time and it produced aircraft that were famous all over the planet.”

During the communist years, the institute’s production was shut down, but it was revived in the 1970s. After 1989, however, many of the institute’s skilled engineers and other specialists emigrated to Western Countries. Now, COMOTI is revitalising Romania’s tradition of global prominence in the aviation sector.

Strong ties to EU aviation research and production

Valentin Silivestru says, “Romanian aviation is growing and adapting to the European aviation sector. COMOTI benefits from long-established partnerships with aviation leaders throughout Europe. Beginning in 2000, we began to cooperate with European organisations concerning research on aircraft engines, which are our speciality. We are now working on many research projects with EU partners, particularly in France as well as in Germany and Italy. We also work with organisations in Russia.”

COMOTI is a non-profit organisation overseen by the Ministry of Education and the Minister-Delegate for Higher Education, Research and Development, Mihnea Costoiu. COMOTI receives very little state support and funds its own research activities with revenues from the projects it undertakes and the innovative products it manufactures for leaders in Romania and abroad, including OMV Petrom, France’s SNECMA and Germany’s GHH Rand.

Valentin Silivestru explains, “Since the recession caused cuts in state funding for research projects, we developed our project-based business line and created a department that handles both technological research and the production of technically complex components, which we afterwards sell to customers. This is an important source of funding for us. We are very competitive in our projects.” COMOTI has won tenders in Romania and abroad, including in the EU.

Cutting-edge products tailored to each customer’s needs

For its customers, COMOTI is an ideal partner. Thanks to its proven expertise in research and production, COMOTI can do research on the best possible products to fulfil each client’s specific needs and then produce these products tailored precisely to each individual customer.Valentin Silivestru says, “We are a supplier of top aviation services and technologies, working in partnership with the leading companies in the industry. We are also involved in research regarding new components for aircraft engines which will be used in the new generation of engines of the future.”

Romanian technology in new aircrafts engines

COMOTI is partner in aeronautical research projects with EU funding coordinated by SNECMA (Safran Group), like SILENCE(R) in FP5, VITAL in FP6 and OPENAIR in FP7. “The results of these research projects will therefore be implemented in the newest Airbus and Boeing engines,” Valentin Silivestru says proudly.

The institute is also participating in the EU Clean Sky 1 programme and plans to play an even bigger role in Clean Sky 2. COMOTI is partnering with Romanian enterprises in this effort, including Aerostar Bacau, IAR Brasov and Romaero Bucharest. COMOTI is currently looking for additional funding support for the Clean Sky effort. Valentin Silivestru says, “We need to make sure we find financial resources, because the Clean Sky project is a public-private partnership and the EU Commission provides only about half of the necessary funding.”

Competitive compression packages for the global market

In the oil and gas sector, COMOTI produces a high-capacity gas compressor in cooperation or under GHH Rand license, which is a division of US-based Ingersoll Rand; the compressor is distributed worldwide through the Ingersoll Rand network. “Starting from this compressor, COMOTI has developed compression packages which make us very competitive in the global energy market,” Valentin Silivestru explains.

On its web site, GHH Rand recommends that its customers contact COMOTI for new gas-compression products and solutions. GHH Rand notes that COMOTI’s portfolio covers gas solutions with many possible applications, including commercial refrigerants, oil-compatible gases and high-suction air systems.

Valentin Silivestru urges international investors, customers and potential partners to recognise that the creativity and innovation in aviation for which Henri Coanda is known are still alive and well in Romania at COMOTI.