Arnest Packaging Solutions has signed an investment agreement with the Uzbekistan Investment, Industry and Trade Ministry to establish a new aluminium beverage can manufacturing facility in the country.  

The company, a division of Russia's Arnest Group, will invest approximately $100m for the facility at the Navoi Industrial Development Complex, reported citing the company’s press release. 

The upcoming plant, set to commence operations in late 2025, will have a production capacity exceeding 1.5 billion cans annually.

This expansion is expected to generate more than 200 new employment opportunities.  

Arnest Packaging Solutions CEO Alexander Isayev was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying: "Localising production in Uzbekistan will significantly strengthen the company's presence on export markets in EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] countries, Central Asia and the Caucasus, as well as make it possible to free up export volumes made in Russia and redirect them to meet the demand of the Russian market.”  

Approximately 30% of the plant's output is projected for export, reinforcing Arnest Packaging Solutions' strategic position in international markets.  

Uzbekistan Investment, Industry and Trade Deputy Minister Khurram Teshabaev was quoted as saying: "It [the plant] is planned to export more than 30% of the manufactured products. The implementation of the project will also be another example of cooperation, demonstrating the government's commitment to creating favourable investment conditions through a preferential tax regime and subsidies." 

Currently, Arnest Group operates four can plants and one lid facility across various regions in Russia, including Moscow, Leningrad, Chelyabinsk, and Ulyanovsk. 

Since late 2022, Arnest Packaging Solutions has been integrated into Arnest Group following the acquisition of Ball Corporation's Russian aluminium can business.  

Arnest Group also acquired Heineken's Russian operations, which included seven breweries, in August 2023, further expanding its portfolio.