Stocks of this highly toxic substance, which was used during the Soviet era as rocket fuel oxidizer, is being kept in deteriorating storage conditions, posing a potential risk to the environment and local population. The clean-up process is expected to take one year, using a NATO mobile plant that has already been used successfully in Azerbaijan.

The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme will cover the operational costs. The NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) will operate the plant in Uzbekistan together with local experts specially trained for this purpose.

The government of Uzbekistan will support the project by supplying the necessary chemicals, infrastructure and logistic support.

The mobile plant was built three years ago, with the financial support of the NATO SPS Programme and under the operational oversight of NAMSA. It has already successfully converted over 1300 tonnes of melange into a non-hazardous, low-grade fertilizer. NATO has invested 2,200,000 euros in the construction, transport, assembly and operation of the plant, as well as in technical personnel.