Italy“s Techint Spa has completed the modernization of a structural glass plant at AO Kvartz in Uzbekistan“s Fergana region under a project that cost EUR 15.8 million, a source at Uzstroimaterialy, …
Italy“s Techint Spa has completed the modernization of a structural glass plant at AO Kvartz in Uzbekistan“s Fergana region under a project that cost EUR 15.8 million, a source at Uzstroimaterialy, which includes Kvartz, reported. The reconstructed the glass furnace, melting bath, firing kiln and other facilities. The plant can produce 10 million sq.m. of glass ranging in thickness form 2-16 mm. The modernization of Kvartz glass production was part of a product to produce automobile glass in Uzbekistan. About 15% of the structural glass produced at Kvartz is to be used to produce 4-mm triples glass and 3-4 mm side and rear glass for automobiles. The rest will be sold on the domestic market or exported. Techint will also open a plant in Fergana by the end of 2002 to produce 200,000 sets of glass a year under the project. The company is completing the installation of equipment for the EUR 21.2 million project. The Uzbek enterprises will finance the project with their own resources and loans from Italian banks. Kvartz glass production is being reconstructed for Uzstroimaterialy and the auto glass factor will be built for Uzavtoprom. The programme to develop the automobile industry in Uzbekistan includes investment in 2000 – 2005 of about US$ 850 million, with nearly US$ 650 million to set up domestic parts production. Uzbekistan plans to set up production of about 50 types of parts in five years.