Air Products, Gas Chemical Complex to build methanol production facility in Bukhara

Gas Chemical Complex MTO Central Asia LLC and Air Products have signed an agreement to build a methanol production facility as part of the Methanol-to-olefin (MTO) gas chemical complex in Uzbekistan. The methanol plant, dubbed Methanol Island, will be located in the Karakul Free Economic Zone in Uzbekistan's Bukhara region, covering 15 ha with a production capacity of 1.34 million tons per year. It is expected to begin operations in 2025 and will have a 25-year operational lifespan.

Unlike traditional MTO facilities that use less environmentally-friendly coal, Uzbekistan's GCC MTO complex uses world-leading innovative technologies and deep processes specific natural gas containing low value components to produce high value polymer products. Its production capacity is more than 1,110,000 tons per year, and the facility produces polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, and high-density polyethylene.

By producing these products locally, Uzbekistan can diversify its economy and substitute imports with potentially exporting their products to other regions. The methanol facility will also ensure a sustainable supply of methanol, hydrogen, and other essential industrial gases such as oxygen and nitrogen for the MTO gas chemical complex's production processes.