Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 20 July, a solemn event was held in the village of Shursuv, Uzbekistan district, Ferghana region, in connection with the commissioning of a new enterprise of the German company Knauf for the production of gypsum-based building materials.

It was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov, the co-founder of the Knauf company Nikolaus Knauf, the manager of the Knauf group Uwe Knotzer, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Uzbekistan Tilo Klinner, the khokim of the region Khairullo Bozorov. First, the participants got acquainted with modern production lines and equipment installed at the enterprise.

The enterprise, capable of producing 17 million m2 of gypsum building boards and 40 thousand tons of dry building mixes annually, was built in 2.5 years using a unique modular technology. This makes it easier to scale production in response to market needs. The plant has already employed 55 people. The investment amounted to 18.7 million euros.

Co-owner of Knauf company Nikolaus Knauf, managing partner of Knauf group Uwe Knotzer arrived in Ferghana to participate in the opening ceremony of a new production facility, and German Ambassador to Uzbekistan Tilo Klinner was invited. Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov and representatives of the local administration took part in the ceremony as guests of honor.

In his speech on the occasion of the launch of production, Uwe Knotzer, Managing Partner of the Knauf Group, said: “We are enthusiastically watching the dynamic development of Uzbekistan, we see how the most important reforms are being consistently implemented to improve the work of producers and investors. All this gives us confidence in the stable development of the country’s economy and the growth of the well-being of its inhabitants. To the two successfully operating Knauf enterprises in Uzbekistan in 2022, a third one is added - built according to modern world standards, capable of producing high-quality products with a high degree of efficiency and environmental safety. The launch of Knauf production in the Ferghana Valley will allow us to provide the region’s residents with demanded products for world-class quality construction on the best terms.”

Dmitry Deripalko, head of Knauf enterprises in Uzbekistan, said: “Before the plant appeared in the region, Knauf products were imported to the Ferghana Valley from Bukhara, which required additional logistics costs. The creation of the enterprise should also have a positive effect on the economy of the region: the production receives gypsum stone from local deposits, local residents work at it, contracts have already been signed with another 20 contractors that provide the necessary raw materials and components, provide transport, cleaning and other services.”

The Knauf facility in the Ferghana Valley is designed to the most modern standards adopted by the international Knauf Group. This applies to all stages of the production cycle, production culture, environmental safety. All enterprises of the international Knauf group comply with national regulations regarding the preservation of the environment, as well as follow the global standards of the company. The plant in Ferghana also operates the latest generation of dust collectors, which eliminates the possibility of the formation of so-called "dust plumes".

In addition to its own production activities, Knauf pays great attention to popularizing modern building technologies and raising the prestige of the profession of a builder, worker and engineer.

Uzbekistan has two own Training Centers in Bukhara and Tashkent, two Knauf Consulting Centers in Tashkent and Samarkand. The company cooperates with seven construction universities and 8 colleges.

KNAUF plans to establish partnerships with educational institutions in all regions of the country.