Invest International, the Dutch joint-venture between the Dutch State and the Dutch Development Bank FMO that provides innovative finance solutions contributing to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, has provided an EUR 15.4 million loan to support the export of yet another Aircrete factory. The factory, located in Gulistan, Uzbekistan, will initially produce AAC blocks only and the loan will be used amongst others to finance the production of the equipment as well as the commissioning of the new plant project in Uzbekistan.
The plant being built with Eurasia Gas Beton LLC will be the first line for the production of Super Smooth AAC blocks in Uzbekistan. Our unique flat-cake cutting technology is the perfect solution with limited cake handling and double-wired cutting technology for Super Smooth products. The attractive Super Smooth surface from the Aircrete Flat-Cake Cutting Line results in an easy and cost-effective finish. After skimming the joints, the wall becomes directly ready for wallpapering and/or painting. With the introduction of large-sized AAC blocks with The introduction of Super Smooth surfaces to the Uzbek market, Eurasia Gas Beton will become a strong supplier with a competitive power in Uzbekistan and CIS region.
The Super Smooth surfaces of the AAC blocks from the Aircrete Flat-Cake Cutting Line eliminates the need for plastering
Upon the release of the export credit, the Chief Executive Officer at Invest International, Joost Oorthuizen commented: “We are delighted to finance this loan as it allows Aircrete Europe to further scale up its sustainable and cost-effective Dutch solution for a traditionally energy-intensive industry. Given the size of the Uzbekistan market and the dominance of traditional bricks, this investment contributes to Uzbekistan in their achievement of the SDG’s while at the same time support Aircrete Europe in its growth potential.”
The establishment of this new AAC plant has an additional benefit of avoiding soil erosion associated with clay extraction for the production of traditional bricks, minimizing the negative environmental impact in the long term. “The project in Uzbekistan is yet another country in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region where Aircrete is active now. We have designed the factory in such a way that the local team has the flexibility to easily and rapidly increase production capacity and product portfolio in the future. By manufacturing complete lightweight concrete blocks, we help Uzbekistan to build its future buildings in a more cost-effective and sustainable way.” added our Managing Director and Partner, Ralf Beier.
Why Autoclaved Aerated Concrete is in high demand in Uzbekistan?
Back in 2019, the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On additional measures to accelerate the development of the building materials industry” was signed. The decree provides for the specialization of 24 districts (cities) in the production of building materials, including aerated concrete blocks, reinforced concrete products and further instructs to increase the production of aerated concrete blocks by 7 times.
It is no coincidence that AAC plays an important role in being the perfect building material for such acceleration and development campaigns. Its unique characteristics as a strong and lightweight, easy-to-use, and fully recyclable building material, makes AAC the right product to help meet the demands for circularity and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
Additionally, AAC is made from naturally occurring materials that are found in abundance. The production of AAC demands relatively small amounts of raw materials per m3 of product, and up to a fifth as much as other construction products. No raw materials are wasted in the production process and all production offcuts are fed back into the production circuit.
The manufacture of AAC requires less energy than for all other masonry products, thereby reducing use of fossil fuels and associated emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). Energy is also saved in the curing process since steam curing is carried out at relatively low temperatures and the hot steam generated in the autoclaves is reused for subsequent batches. Industrial-quality water is used and neither water nor steam are released into the environment. No toxic gases are created in the production process. (eaaca.org)
All in all, the potential of the construction market in Uzbekistan is huge. The governmental decisions for AAC production further support this growth. With decades of experience in AAC production, we are ready to support you on all the aspects of your new, innovative, green AAC plant for the production of AAC blocks and AAC panels for any given market.
If you are looking for AAC project-related financing options, contact us now!