BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Uzbekistan is working to localize production of NaA zeolite used in gas treatment and purification, with the project expected to reduce imports and generate economic savings for the country’s oil and gas sector.
This was reflected in the statement by the Uzbekneftgaz.
The localization efforts are being carried out at the Shurtan Oil and Gas Production Department, where NaA zeolite is currently purchased from foreign suppliers.
According to preliminary estimates, Uzbekistan’s demand for NaA zeolite is expected to reach nearly 1,000 tons in 2027, requiring more than 34 billion soums ($2.8 million) in planned spending. Local production is expected to generate an economic benefit of about 12%.
The project is being implemented jointly by the Agency for Industrial Cooperation and Public Procurement, the National Metrology Agency, the Agency for Technical Regulation, Uzbektransgaz and Uzbekneftegaz, together with local producer Shturval LLC.
As the next step, the locally produced zeolite will undergo technical and quality testing at an accredited laboratory. If the product meets the required standards, it will proceed to industrial pilot testing.
A test facility at the Shurtan Oil and Gas Production Department will then be prepared to evaluate the performance of locally produced NaA zeolite under existing technological conditions.
“Localizing NaA zeolite production will help reduce dependence on imports while strengthening supply stability and improving the efficiency of spending on essential technological products,” the project participants said.
If the laboratory and industrial tests produce positive results, measures will be developed to introduce locally produced NaA zeolite more widely across enterprises in the sector.
The project is expected to support import substitution, develop domestic production of a strategically important industrial material and improve the resilience of Uzbekistan’s oil and gas supply chain.
