Uzvtortsvetmet JSC will launch a plant for the production of gel (industrial) batteries, the press service of the company reported.

The total cost of the project will be more than $5 million, its financing will be provided by the credit line of the National Bank of Uzbekistan and the company's own funds. To date, as part of construction and installation work, more than 5.8 billion soums have already been allotted and the main part of the process equipment has been supplied.

One of the main advantages of gel batteries is that it can last much longer than lead-acid analogues. Its average service life during normal operation is 10 years. In addition, it will ensure complete impermeability of the system. As a result, such a battery is more resistant to physical impact, shock and vibration.

“Initially, we planned to put the enterprise into operation in June 2019. But then they decided to modernize the project with a plan not only on the domestic, but also on the external markets. For this purpose, the expert organization “Tashgiprogor” is involved, on the basis of whose conclusions the project will be finalized and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval,” said Alexander Babayants, Director for Perspective Development of Uzvtortsvetmet JSC.

According to him, the new line of batteries being developed now will allow the enterprise to enter the market of small uninterruptible power supplies, operational direct current systems and even electric vehicles.

In addition, the company has also developed a special investment program, under which manufacturing of new types of products that are now being imported into the domestic market from abroad will be mastered.

Uzvtortsvetmet JSC is the only enterprise in Central Asia specializing in the collection and processing of scrap, as well as non-ferrous metal wastes. In September 2018, the state share in Uzvtortsvetmet JSC was transferred to a foreign enterprise - SFI Management Group LLC.