Uzbekistan’s Steel Industry Sets Course for a Technological Breakthrough
Uzbekistan
Rapid industrial growth and large-scale infrastructure projects are driving the need for a major transformation of Uzbekistan’s steel industry. At a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, priority measures were outlined to modernize ferrous metallurgy, strengthen the raw material base and accelerate digital transformation.
The President noted that the steel industry supplies key sectors—including construction, automotive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, energy and electrical industries—with a combined value exceeding $50 billion. Achieving the national goal of increasing GDP to $240 billion by 2030 will require annual economic growth of 8–9%, leading to significantly higher demand for steel products.
Over the past decade, domestic demand for sheet steel, rolled products, pipes and steel structures has tripled to 5.5 million tonnes. By 2030, annual demand is expected to exceed 8 million tonnes, driven by $180 billion in new industrial projects, $27 billion in infrastructure investments and housing construction for 800,000 families.
Particular attention was given to strengthening the raw material base. Today, the Bekabad Metallurgical Plant produces about 40% of its rolled steel from domestic scrap metal, while 60% relies on imported raw materials. To eliminate the shadow scrap market and improve transparency, the government will establish a dedicated project office within a month and launch the E-lom digital platform on 1 August, enabling real-time monitoring of the entire scrap metal supply chain.
The President also instructed officials to accelerate the development of iron ore deposits. Deliveries of concentrate from the Surun-ota deposit are scheduled to begin in 2027, while the development of the Tebinbulak deposit is expected to enable annual steel production of up to 1 million tonnes. In addition, agreements have been reached to import iron ore from Tajikistan, while private investors are being encouraged to participate in developing domestic deposits and establishing a full production chain—from mining raw materials to manufacturing finished steel products.
Over the past decade, domestic demand for sheet steel, rolled products, pipes and steel structures has tripled to 5.5 million tonnes. By 2030, annual demand is expected to exceed 8 million tonnes, driven by $180 billion in new industrial projects, $27 billion in infrastructure investments and housing construction for 800,000 families.
Particular attention was given to strengthening the raw material base. Today, the Bekabad Metallurgical Plant produces about 40% of its rolled steel from domestic scrap metal, while 60% relies on imported raw materials. To eliminate the shadow scrap market and improve transparency, the government will establish a dedicated project office within a month and launch the E-lom digital platform on 1 August, enabling real-time monitoring of the entire scrap metal supply chain.
The President also instructed officials to accelerate the development of iron ore deposits. Deliveries of concentrate from the Surun-ota deposit are scheduled to begin in 2027, while the development of the Tebinbulak deposit is expected to enable annual steel production of up to 1 million tonnes. In addition, agreements have been reached to import iron ore from Tajikistan, while private investors are being encouraged to participate in developing domestic deposits and establishing a full production chain—from mining raw materials to manufacturing finished steel products.
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