"The government has been urged to re-examine a British company's contract to export hi-tech machinery to Armenia, after the Guardian uncovered links to the supply chain for Russia's war machine. Sanctions experts and the chair of the House of Commons business committee questioned the government's decision to award an export licence to Cygnet Texkimp. The engineering company makes machines that produce carbon fibre prepreg, a lightweight and durable material that can be used in a wide range of civil and military applications."
"Experts said the contract raises concerns about the robustness of UK export controls designed to prevent British companies unwittingly taking part in the destruction of Ukraine. Indispensable' for weaponry In February 2023, a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, the US Treasury imposed one of its most significant sanctions actions to date, targeting 83 entities and 22 individuals. Among them was Umatex, a low-profile but vital division of Russia's vast state-owned nuclear energy company, Rosatom."
The government-approved export licence allows a British engineering firm, Cygnet Texkimp, to export machines that produce carbon fibre prepreg. The machines are in final assembly in Northwich and may be exported to Rydena LLC, a new Armenian company formed by former executives of a supplier to the Kremlin. Sanctions experts and parliamentary figures questioned the licence given the material's dual-use military applications. Cygnet reports it completed required end-user checks and received government approval; Rydena denies dealing with Russian clients. Experts warn the contract highlights potential weaknesses in UK export controls intended to prevent contributions to Russia's war effort. Umatex, part of Rosatom, has been sanctioned as Russia's major carbon-fibre producer.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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