Uzbekistan to build MTO complex

Source: China National Chemical News May 23, 2019

Sinochem New Network News Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy and a consortium of Uzbekistan Gas, Uzkimyosanoat, Air Products and Enter Engineering said they will jointly build a petrochemical complex with methanol-to-olefin (MTO) technology.

The plant will use its domestic natural gas supply to produce chemicals and diversify Uzbekistan’s economy and reduce dependence on imported chemicals.

It is reported that the consortium plans to build a 500,000-ton/year MTO plant that will produce a variety of chemicals including polymers and synthetic rubber. In February 2019, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan signed an executive order to establish the Ministry of Energy after a comprehensive adjustment of the management structure of the fuel and energy sector in Uzbekistan. By 2030, Uzbekistan plans to implement 30 hydrocarbon investment projects worth $36.5 billion. To achieve these goals, the Ministry of Energy plans to reorganize Uzbekistan Gas to simplify its operations. The country also intends to attract some potential partners to develop Uzbekistan’s oil and gas resources in a public-private partnership.