Arnest Group launches cosmetics and household chemicals plant in Uzbekistan
ST. PETERSBURG. April 20 (Interfax) - Arnest Group launched the Unigroup Navoiy plant in Uzbekistan with an investment of 5 billion rubles, the company's press service said.
"The project was implemented under the management of Arnest UniRus and became the company's first foreign production asset targeting the markets of Central Asia and other countries," according to the statement.
The project was officially launched at the sixth International Industrial Innoprom. Central Asia exhibition.
The plant is located within the Navoi Industrial Development Complex special industrial park. Total investment in the project amounted to 5 billion rubles, of which 4.2 billion rubles were allocated for equipment and engineering infrastructure and 800 million rubles were allocated to acquire intellectual property rights to 23 trademarks in 40 countries.
The first phase of the plant's production capacity is 85 million units per year, and it will house a full cycle of cosmetics and home care product production, as well as in-house plastic packaging production.
"Around 75% of our output will be exported. For us, this not only represents an entry into new markets but also a strengthening of our supply chains: initially, the annual purchase of raw materials and components from Russia for the plant's needs will amount to 1.7 billion rubles, and will subsequently be gradually reduced through localization," Arnest Group president Alexei Sagal said.
The government of Uzbekistan provided infrastructure and financial support for the project.
As reported, all assets of the UK-Dutch concern Unilever in Russia and Belarus have belonged to JSC Arnest Group since the end of 2024, with the name Unilever Rus changed to Arnest UniRus last year.
The company is one of the largest manufacturers of consumer goods in Russia, producing cosmetics, household chemicals, ice cream, and food products. Production is carried out in four major clusters: ice cream in the Tula region and Omsk, cosmetics and household chemicals in St. Petersburg, and cosmetics in Yekaterinburg.
The company has a representative office in Belarus.
