Large-scale aluminum can manufacturing and beverage bottling plant begins operation in Uzbekistan

Project Background and Investment Agreement

According to Tashkent Invest, a new aluminum can manufacturing and beverage bottling plant in Uzbekistan will be commissioned in June 2025. on October 15, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan signed a corresponding investment agreement with the Russian company Anest Packaging Solutions (AUR), which owns four aluminum can plants and the only aluminum cap plant in Russia, and has accumulated experience and technology in the industry.

AUR has four aluminum can factories and the only aluminum lid factory in Russia, and has a wealth of experience and know-how in the industry. The new plant will be located in the Special Industrial Park “Navoi Industrial Development Complex”, an important special economic zone created by the Uzbek government to attract foreign investment and promote industrial development.

The plant will operate within the “Yangi Avlod” free economic zone in Tashkent. As the first plant of this size in Uzbekistan, it will significantly reduce dependence on imported aluminum packaging and facilitate access to export markets.

The project is backed by the foreign-invested enterprise East Can Solutions, with a total investment of $90 million, including an $18 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This investment not only demonstrates the IFC's confidence in Uzbekistan's economic development, but also creates significant local employment opportunities and the potential for technology transfer.

Scale of Production and Employment Opportunities

The production complex covers an area of 21 hectares, of which the production area is 100,000 square meters. It is expected that up to 500 jobs will be created when the facility comes on stream. In the initial phase, the plant will produce 1.1 billion aluminum cans per year, with future capacity expanding to 2.2 billion cans per year.

In addition, the plant will include a beverage bottling line that will produce up to 650.9 million aluminum and PET packaged beverages per year, with an estimated annual production capacity of 650.9 million aluminum and PET packages. This scale of production will not only meet domestic market demand, but will also provide strong support for export markets.

The establishment of a local manufacturing center will eliminate the need for imported aluminum cans and significantly boost exports. 30% of the plant's production will be supplied to Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, with potential annual export revenues of $50 million. The project utilizes state-of-the-art equipment from the United States and Europe with a high degree of automation.

The production process will comply with environmental standards and the use of 100% recyclable aluminum cans will help reduce the ecological footprint. This environmental measure is not only in line with the global trend of sustainable development, but also sets an example for the development of a green economy in Uzbekistan.

Technology introduction and environmental standards

The ministry says the production of aluminum packaging for beverages is a new technology in Uzbekistan, with plans to export more than 30 percent of its products. 

Alexander Isayev, General Director of AUR, emphasized that localizing production in Uzbekistan will strengthen the company's position in the export markets of the European Economic Union, Central Asia and Transcaucasia, and Vedomosti, citing the manufacturer's representatives, reported that this is the company's first venture outside Russia.

In August 2023, Arnest Group (owner of AUR), Russia's largest manufacturer of cosmetics, housewares and metal packaging, acquired a 100% stake in beer maker Heineken's business in Russia for 1 euro.

A week earlier, Arnest had also acquired Unilever's assets in Russia and Belarus. These acquisitions not only expand AUR's business scope, but also provide additional resources and technical support for its investments in Uzbekistan.

Future Outlook and Economic Benefits

With the commissioning of the new plant, Uzbekistan will gradually reduce its dependence on imported aluminum cans and increase its domestic production capacity. This will not only help reduce production costs, but also improve product quality and market competitiveness. In addition, the plant's export program will further boost Uzbekistan's foreign trade, increase foreign exchange earnings and contribute to economic growth.

The successful implementation of the project will also lead to the development of related industrial chains, such as raw material supply, logistics and transportation, and packaging design, forming a complete industrial ecosystem. This not only provides more business opportunities for local enterprises, but also lays the foundation for industrial diversification in Uzbekistan.

All in all, the commissioning of a large-scale aluminum can manufacturing and beverage bottling plant in Uzbekistan marks an important step in the country's industrialization and modernization process. By introducing advanced technology, creating jobs, boosting exports and promoting environmental protection, this project will breathe new life into Uzbekistan's economic development and set an example for future international cooperation.