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In the reporting period, the volume of bulk soda ash put to sales significantly increased. The volume of bulk soda ash traded through the UZEX made up 16,000 tonnes. The volume of packed soda ash exceeded 25,000 tonnes. Currently, share of packed sodaash at exchange market made up 61% and bulk soda ash – 39%.
According to UZEC, the prices for packed soda ash at UZEX fell from 577,000 soums to 558,000 soums per tonne in May-July 2011. Average monthly volume of soda ash, put for sales, made up 4,600 tonnes in summer period. UZEX experts believe that the fall of prices is connected with the volume of soda ash, put for sale. Earlier, the offered volume was twice lesser – 2,200 tonnes.
From August 2011, the price for packed soda ash of Kungrad Soda Plant grew up to 642,000 soums per tonne. The main reason for price growth is connected with high demand by companies, operating in glass industry. Their share made up in average 72%. Aggregate share of textile, edible oil and fat and other industries grew from 10% to 28%.
According to Uzkimyosanoat state joint stock company, Kungrad Soda Plant produced 90,300 tonnes of soda ash and the growth rate made up 117.6%.
Kungrad Soda Plant is only enterprise on production of soda ash in Central Asia. The enterprise was commissioned in August 2006 by China’s Citic Pacific Ltd. and Uzkimyosanoat. Total project cost was US$100 million.
In line with contract, Citic Pacific Ltd. designed and constructed technical part of the plant on “on turnkey” basis with the cost of US$32.3 million. China Industrial-Commercial Bank financed technological part of the project under insurance coverage of China Export-Credit Insurance Corporation (90% of the contract) and loan of Uzpromstroytbank (10% of contract) under the guarantee of the Uzbekistan Government.
The project capacity of the enterprise is 100,000 tonnes of ash soda a year. The main raw material for construction of soda ash is sodium chloride (salt) and limestone.
All main raw materials for production are produced in Uzbekistan. The sodium chloride is mined at Barsakelmes deposit, located 53km away from Kungrad Soda Plant and limestone at Jamansay limestone deposit, developed at 250 km away from the plant. According to geologists, the approved reserves of these raw materials can satisfy demand of the plant for over 100 years.