Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev familiarized himself with the activities of the joint-stock company Indorama Qoqand Fertilizers and Chemicals.

The chemical industry in Uzbekistan is developing rapidly. Over the past five years, production volumes in this sector have nearly doubled, reaching 45 trillion soums. In particular, due to new capacities, production of mineral fertilizers has increased by 17 percent, exceeding 1.4 million tons per year. Effective investment projects play a significant role in this growth.

In 2019, for financial recovery and diversification purposes, the former Qoqand Superphosphate Plant was sold to the Singaporean company Indorama Holdings BV with investment commitments. On its basis, the enterprise Indorama Qoqand Fertilizers and Chemicals was established. Foreign investments totaling US$70 million were attracted, production facilities were modernized, and modern equipment from leading companies in Spain, the USA, China, India, Turkey, and Russia was installed. Additionally, 150 new jobs were created.

In 2021, as part of the first stage of modernization, production of ammoniated superphosphate, water-soluble complex mineral fertilizers, and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) mineral fertilizers was launched. The plant’s capacity was increased from 75,000 to 450,000 tons per year.

Raw materials are supplied by domestic enterprises, contributing to cost reduction. For example, phosphorite meal is imported from Kyzylkum, sulfuric acid from Almalyk, ammonium sulfate from Chirchiq, and ammonia from "Ferghanaazot" and "Navoiyazot."

Modernization efforts have also reduced electricity and natural gas consumption by 35-40 percent. A four-stage purification system has been implemented in the main production workshops to prevent environmental pollution, replacing the previous two-stage system.

The enterprise is capable of exporting products worth US$30 million annually. Currently, mineral fertilizers are exported to 16 countries in the CIS, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev toured the plant and familiarized himself with the production process. It was noted that the enterprise should become a major chemical cluster, not only an economic but also a social example. In this context, discussions were held on the prospects for constructing modern housing, schools, and hospitals for plant workers and their families.

The enterprise is steadily developing, with work ongoing on the next stages. In the second stage, investments totaling US$50 million have been allocated, and modern technological equipment from Switzerland, Germany, India, China, and Italy has been installed. This stage will produce potassium sulfate, sulfuric acid, and ammonium-chloride fertilizers worth US$24 million annually. One hundred twenty new jobs will be created.

The third stage is planned for 2025-2028. Production of mono- and dicalcium phosphates, potassium nitrate, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) complex mineral fertilizers, calcium chloride, monoammonium phosphate, and potassium monophosphate will be launched, with a project cost of US$100 million. Two hundred thirty-five new jobs will be created.