Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Tekhnochem plant in Bukhara district to review the petrochemical cluster’s operations and development plans.
The cluster processes oil, gas condensate, naphtha, methanol and pyrolysis distillate. It is the only complex of its kind in the republic. The facility covers 69 hectares and employs about 500 people.
Its current capacity allows it to process 100,000 tonnes of pyrolysis distillate and 160,000 tonnes of naphtha and gas condensate a year. In addition to fuel, it makes products for the chemical industry, including octane booster to improve petrol quality and solvents used in paints, varnishes, glue and household chemicals.
The next stage of expansion is planned for completion by the end of 2028. The $292 million investment project will establish processing of gas condensate and naphtha, as well as production of aromatic hydrocarbons and solvents. Annual processing capacity is set to rise by a further 400,000 tonnes, with 700 new jobs to be created.
The new facilities will increase demand for process engineers, engineers, chemists and laboratory specialists. Mirziyoyev highlighted the need to strengthen links between vocational education and industry in the region.
The company plans to export about 180,000 tonnes of petrochemical products, motor petrol and diesel fuel each year to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and European Union countries. It is also in talks with foreign partners on a project to process 150,000 tonnes of liquefied gas in 2028–2030.
The president offered recommendations on increasing the cluster’s export potential and training qualified staff for the new production facilities.
