This enterprise, which many mistakenly perceive as polluting the air, is today leading the republic in the implementation of digital monitoring, environmental control, and green energy.
The "Effect.uz" team visited the city of Navoi within the framework of the "Effect Plus" project and closely familiarized themselves with the activities, employee conditions, and new promising projects of "Navoiyazot" Joint Stock Company, one of the largest chemical enterprises in our republic.
Navoi region is considered one of the major industrial areas of Uzbekistan. Located in the regional center, "Navoiyazot" Joint Stock Company has been operating for many years as one of the largest manufacturing enterprises in the region.
The Effect.uz team visited JSC "Navoiyazot" as part of the "Effect Plus" project and got acquainted with the production areas of the enterprise, measures aimed at environmental safety, new energy projects, conditions created for workers, and the activities of modern production complexes.
During the conversation, the management and employees of the enterprise provided information about the stages of development of "Navoiyazot" in recent years, implemented investment projects, and plans for the production of new products.
“Yashil Makon” — a green belt in the industrial zone
Despite the fact that the climate of Navoi region is close to a desert area, numerous green zones have been established around the "Navoiyazot" enterprise. According to company representatives, special attention is being paid to expanding green belts around industrial enterprises within the framework of the nationwide "Yashil Makon" project implemented on the initiative of the head of state in recent years. The maintenance of trees and seedlings in the enterprise area is handled by specialized department staff — agronomists, workers, and other specialists.
«In recent years, our esteemed President has put forward an initiative to implement the 'Yashil Makon' and 'Green Belt' projects, specifically to establish green belts around industrial enterprises. As a result of this initiative, today the surroundings of 'Navoiyazot' are fully covered with a green belt. To maintain this, our special department operates — our women, men, gardeners, and agronomists are providing us with this greenery», — says Farrukh Samadov, the head of the enterprise.
Ecology: Over 30 gas analysis posts are operating
During the visit, special attention was also paid to environmental issues related to the enterprise's activities. In recent years, various opinions have been expressed on social networks regarding air pollution and harmful substance emissions in the city of Navoi. In some cases, this situation has been linked to the activities of "Navoiyazot".
The enterprise management stated that special monitoring systems have been introduced to study this issue and accurately control changes in air composition. Various analyzers have been installed in the enterprise area. In addition, more than 30 gas-analyzing posts are operating in the areas of Navoi city and Karmana district.
The movement of smoke and other substances in the atmosphere is also monitored through cameras placed at a height of 200–250 meters at the enterprise. This makes it possible to determine the direction of air currents, where potential emissions are coming from, and which areas they are spreading to.
«To prove that this is not coming from our enterprise, we have placed numerous analyzers on the territory of the plant. To show not only that it is not coming from us, but also where it originates from, we have installed more than 30 gas analysis posts in the territory of Navoi city and Karmana district.
We have cameras at a height of 200–250 meters. Through those cameras, we monitor the spread of toxic substances and smoke into the city and the factory area. For example, on this side, there are Kyzylkum Cement, Elektrokhimzavod, and private enterprises. Smoke and dust pass directly over our enterprise and enter the city. Despite this, scrubbers (dust-trapping devices) have been installed on our main dust-emitting large equipment», — says an official of the enterprise.
Also, 28 sanitary-ecological posts have been established in the area up to 12 kilometers around the enterprise. The indicators at these posts are constantly monitored. Normal conditions in the system are indicated by a "green" indicator. The enterprise has also installed special dust-trapping devices on major dust-emitting equipment.
$300 million mega-project: Solar power station in Karmana
Another important direction of the visit was a large energy project being implemented in Karmana district. A solar panel-based electricity generation station is being built on an area of 520 hectares. The project value is estimated at $300 million.
Within the framework of the project, a power plant with a capacity of 300 MW is being erected. More than 50 percent of the electricity generated here will be directed to the needs of "Navoiyazot". The remaining part is planned to be distributed for the needs of the population of Navoi city. The project is being implemented by the Chinese company "Sinoma". Construction work is scheduled to be completed in September 2026, and the facility will be fully commissioned.
According to company representatives, once the new solar power plant is launched, the electricity expenses for manufacturing products at "Navoiyazot" will be significantly reduced.
«The project value is $300 million. The station will generate 300 MW of electricity. More than 50 percent of the generated energy will be supplied to 'Navoiyazot'. This will make it possible to reduce the electricity costs spent on product manufacturing at the enterprise by approximately 50 percent», — says a project specialist.
Over $2 billion in investments over the past 10 years
It was noted that special attention has been paid to the development of the enterprise since 2016. During this period, more than $2 billion of investments were injected into the enterprise, and production capacities were modernized. In particular, a major project worth $1 billion for the production of ammonia and carbamide was implemented in cooperation with the Japanese company "Mitsubishi". Enterprise officials noted that this complex is one of the most modern manufacturing facilities not only in Uzbekistan, but in the entire Central Asia.
In addition, a new generation nitric acid production project has been launched in cooperation with the Swiss company "Casale". A complex for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), methanol, and caustic soda has also been put into operation to produce essential raw materials for organic products and the construction industry. The cost of this project is nearly $500 million.
Joint ventures have also been established at the enterprise for the production of formalin, urea-formaldehyde resins, polymers, and other products.
«Since 2016, great attention has been paid to the development of 'Navoiyazot'. During this period, an investment program exceeding $2 billion was implemented, and production capacities were fully modernized», — says the head of the enterprise.
Specialists — the main pillar of the enterprise
Along with mastering new technologies, attention is also paid to training qualified personnel at the enterprise. Some specialists are sent abroad — to European and neighboring countries for advanced training. It was emphasized that a personnel training program is being developed within the framework of each major investment project.
A vivid example of this is the experience of Gullola Inoyatova, a female engineer who has been working at the enterprise for 17 years. Although she did not study at any higher education institution, working at the enterprise for years as an ordinary woman from Navoi, she rose to the level of a highly qualified specialist based on her work experience.
Today, Gullola Inoyatova's labor and dedication are highly appreciated, and she was sent by the enterprise to Paris, France, for advanced training to thoroughly master higher technologies. Having studied there and returned with modern knowledge, the female engineer now successfully manages new and complex technological processes.
«I have been working at 'Navoiyazot' since 2009. My initial salary was 130 thousand sums. Comparing it with my current income, my salary has increased by nearly 100 times. Working conditions are good, processes are fully automated. I went to France, exchanged experiences, and improved my qualifications», — says Gullola Inoyatova.
From the very beginning of the construction of a new project, young specialists are involved, and conditions are created for them to gain experience in similar enterprises abroad. Enterprise officials noted that the main goal in the future is not just to use foreign technologies, but to localize them.
For this purpose, attention is focused on producing local equipment, creating new products, and strengthening scientific research work.
«When each project is implemented, not only production is established, but a personnel training program is also envisaged. We hire young specialists from the very beginning of the construction process, improve their qualifications abroad, and train personnel for ourselves», — says the head of the enterprise.
International grant programs are also utilized to improve employee qualifications. In particular, enterprise specialists participate in educational programs and grants in China and Germany.
Ammonia and carbamide: millions of tons of products per year
One of the major production complexes at the enterprise is specialized in the production of ammonia and carbamide. Commissioned in 2020, the complex consists of several production workshops. The design capacity of the ammonia production workshop is 660 thousand tons per year, while the capacity of the carbamide production workshop is 577.5 thousand tons.
It is possible to produce nearly 2 thousand tons of ammonia and 1,750 tons of carbamide per day. While part of the produced ammonia is directed to carbamide production, the rest is used to prepare other products. Carbamide is loaded in 50 kg bags, packed by the ton, and also in bulk form. While the main part of the products is supplied to farmers of Uzbekistan, the export geography is also expanding. The enterprise's products are exported to countries such as Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Iran, Italy, Greece, and Georgia.
Nitric acid production: 500 thousand tons capacity per year
A nitric acid production complex, designed in cooperation with the Swiss company "Casale", also operates at the enterprise. Commissioned in 2020, the annual design capacity of the complex is 500 thousand tons. According to enterprise representatives, this year the production plan was fulfilled by 102.5 percent. The product is mainly used in agriculture for fertilizer production, as well as in the mining industry. In addition to main production, the complex includes liquid storage, cooling, and other auxiliary departments.
Production of PVC, caustic soda, and methanol
Another major complex, commissioned on December 28, 2019, produces polyvinyl chloride (PVC), caustic soda, and methanol.
The design capacity per year is intended to produce:
* 100 thousand tons of PVC;
* 75 thousand tons of caustic soda;
* 180 thousand tons of methanol.
Caustic soda is used in the chlorine-alkali production process and in the mining industry. PVC is widely used in construction, mechanical engineering, and other industries. Methanol is used as a raw material in the production of polymers and organic products. 1,200 workers and employees work in this complex.
Working conditions and benefits for workers
Work processes at the enterprise are organized based on various shifts depending on working conditions. An 8-hour, 12-hour, or continuous 24-hour work schedule is applied in some workplaces. All production processes are automated, and during shift changes, employees hand over the work process to each other in a prescribed manner.
For employees working in harmful or hazardous production processes, working conditions undergo a special certification. Based on its results, the hazard level of the workplace is determined, and employees are provided with additional payments and benefits stipulated by legislation.
According to enterprise officials, certain categories of employees also have privileges upon retirement. In particular, depending on working conditions and the degree of hazard, the opportunity to retire ahead of the established schedule can be granted.
«Each workplace is certified according to working conditions. The hazard level is determined based on the certification results. Based on this, along with additional payments, employees are granted the benefits established by legislation upon retirement”, — says Farrukh Samadov, the head of the enterprise.
New projects — new jobs
The major investment projects implemented at "Navoiyazot" serve to increase the production capacities of the enterprise, as well as create new jobs and elevate the potential of local specialists.
The enterprise management views mastering new types of products, further automating production processes, localization, and increasing energy efficiency as a priority task for the future.
In this sense, the 300 MW solar power plant being built in Karmana district is also becoming one of the important projects aimed at ensuring the energy stability of the enterprise.
During the visit, it was demonstrated that "Navoiyazot" is developing not only as a large industrial enterprise, but as a production complex combining modern technologies, environmental monitoring, personnel training, and new energy projects.
The enterprise team aims to continue implementing new projects, increasing production volume, and creating new jobs in the future.
In conclusion, JSC "Navoiyazot" is the flagship of Uzbekistan's industry, marching in step with the time and achieving great results through the solidarity of ecologists, engineers, and ordinary workers. The renovations at the enterprise prove that heavy industry can also develop by putting the ecosystem and human interests first.
Muhammad Ali Qozoqov, Effect.uz
