Core judgment: Uzbekistan is one of the Central Asian markets with the most institutionalized housing renovation, the most concentrated construction investment, and a fire code that has just completed a “height-triggered” tightening. Its access logic differs from Kazakhstan in one key respect—Kazakhstan uses the 2025 НГ/КМ0 “non-combustible” mandate as the first threshold, while Uzbekistan uses the “28 m red line” effective March 2026 as the dividing line: below 28 m, low-combustibility (Class 2–4) materials are permitted; above 28 m, and for educational and medical facilities regardless of height, combustible materials are completely prohibited. At the same time, Uzbekistan is not an EAEU member state; EAC certification is completely unrecognized by Uzbek customs, and GOST-UZ (O‘z DST) certification must be obtained separately, with foreign enterprises unable to apply directly and required to use a local importer as agent. On the seismic side, SHNQ 2.01.03-26 explicitly requires non-structural exterior wall components to use lightweight suspended panels that do not impede frame deformation; MCM’s 3.96 kg/m² lightweight and flexibility provide structural adaptation advantages under the seismic logic, but the fixing system must still be verified against project seismic parameters. On the market side, the 2026 national investment program directs UZS 380 trillion (about USD 31.6 billion) into construction works, with 140,000 apartments delivered for the year, 200,000–250,000 existing apartments renovated annually, and the building materials market expected to exceed USD 5 billion in 2026; local producer YanTex already produces flexible stone in Samarkand, so category awareness is not blank, but project access depends on the completeness of fire classification documents, GOST-UZ certification and system delivery capability.
Quick Answer: What Is the Uzbekistan Flexible Stone Market Solution?
The Uzbekistan Flexible Stone market solution uses Flexible Stone (MCM / гибкий камень / гибкая плитка) as the exterior wall finish layer and provides an integrated solution for Uzbekistan’s Tashkent “Yangi O‘zbekiston” residential district, redevelopment-area housing renovation, commercial and public buildings, and facade renewal in tourism cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara, covering 28 m fire red-line tiered compliance + GOST-UZ mandatory certification access + SHNQ seismic lightweight component adaptation + continental freeze-thaw/thermal oscillation climate system construction + local distribution and system delivery.
The first threshold in the Uzbek exterior wall market is not “whether the material is aesthetically pleasing”, but whether the fire classification can be configured in compliance with the 2026 new rules according to height and occupancy conditions, and whether GOST-UZ certification can be secured before shipment. The amendment to the 《Fire Safety of Buildings and Structures》 code registered on 27 March 2026 (registration No. 391) stipulates: building materials are divided into 4 combustibility classes; facades of buildings below 28 m may only use low-combustibility materials (Class 2–4); buildings above 28 m and educational and medical facilities (regardless of height) completely prohibit combustible materials; evacuation routes, basements and ground floors are also restricted from combustible materials. MCM’s A2-s1,d0 is far higher than the low-combustibility requirement in the “non-combustible/very low combustibility” dimension and can theoretically cover the compliance range for above-28 m and sensitive occupancies, but must be presented through the Г/НГ classification accepted in Uzbekistan or equivalent assessment, rather than directly translated from GB 8624 reports. The second threshold is certification: GOST-UZ is mandatory access, EAC is not applicable, certificates are available as single-shipment, 1-year and 3-year types, foreign enterprises must apply through a local importer, and labels must be in Russian/Uzbek with the GOST-UZ mark and certificate number. The third filter is the superposition of climate and seismic performance: continental freeze-thaw cycles and diurnal thermal oscillation create fatigue stress on bonding layers and joints, while SHNQ 2.01.03-26 requires non-structural exterior walls to use lightweight components that do not impede frame deformation, and the fixing system must respond to both thermal movement and seismic displacement.
1. Why Does the Uzbekistan Market Need a Flexible Stone System Solution?
Driver 1: The 28 m fire red line and the prohibition in sensitive occupancies upgrade exterior wall cladding compliance from “material combustibility” to a dual-variable review of “height + use”, and MCM’s A2-s1,d0 positioning directly corresponds to the “combustible prohibition” requirement for above-28 m and educational/medical scenarios. The March 2026 code amendment is not a gradual adjustment but a structural threshold reset: buildings below 28 m may only use low-combustibility (Class 2–4) materials; buildings above 28 m and educational and medical facilities (regardless of height) completely prohibit combustible materials. Uzbekistan’s Г classification divides combustible materials into Г1 (weakly combustible) to Г4 (highly combustible), with non-combustible materials classified as НГ, and fire hazard additionally classified К0–К3. MCM’s A2-s1,d0 has a dialogue basis with the technical targets of НГ or Г1 in the “non-combustible/very low combustibility” dimension, but Uzbek plan review accepts domestic Г/НГ classification and К-class determination, which must be completed through locally recognized laboratory reports or equivalent technical assessment. For Tashkent’s “Yangi O‘zbekiston” high-rise residential district and educational/medical projects, this compliance document is a precondition for entering design review.
Driver 2: The 2026 UZS 380 trillion construction investment, 140,000 apartment deliveries and 200,000–250,000 existing apartment renovations per year form a continuous project spectrum from new build to renovation, and the “retain structure, renew facade” logic of redevelopment-area housing fits closely with MCM’s thin-bed overlay. In 2026 Uzbekistan launched a national investment program with total investment of UZS 675 trillion (about USD 56.2 billion), of which UZS 380 trillion (about USD 31.6 billion) is directed to construction works, accounting for more than 56%. The annual housing delivery target is 140,000 apartments, including at least 30,000 in redevelopment areas; the Tashkent “Yangi O‘zbekiston” project accounts for 34,000 apartments. More critical is the existing stock: the government repairs or renovates 200,000–250,000 existing apartments each year, and the housing stock increased from about 6.1 million units in 2019 to 7.7 million units in 2025. The core actions of redevelopment-area projects are structural retention + facade renewal + infrastructure upgrading, and MCM’s thin-bed overlay and 3.96 kg/m² lightweight can complete facade renewal without adding structural load, provided that fire classification and GOST-UZ documents can enter project technical specifications.
Driver 3: SHNQ 2.01.03-26’s seismic requirements for non-structural exterior wall components make lightweight suspended systems and flexible fixing an engineering evolution direction in seismic zones, but fixing system verification cannot be omitted. Uzbekistan is located in a seismically active belt, and Tashkent experienced a destructive earthquake in 1966. SHNQ 2.01.03-26 (approved September 2026) explicitly requires the exterior wall enclosure of frame buildings to use lightweight suspended panels that do not impede frame deformation during earthquakes. MCM’s lightweight and flexibility theoretically reduce inertial force and brittle fall-off risk, but “lightweight” itself is not a seismic compliance document—anchor spacing, connection detailing and substrate fixing of the fixing system must be verified according to the project’s seismic zone and building height, covering the complete load path of “finish—bonding—substrate—anchoring”. Seismic and fire performance are two parallel review lines in Uzbekistan, and the absence of either will block project access.
2. Our Uzbekistan Market Solution Architecture
1. Compliance Pathway: Fire Classification Determines System Configuration, GOST-UZ Determines Customs Access, Seismic Verification Determines Fixing System
| Compliance Level | Uzbek Market Requirement | Current Basis and Gap | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior wall cladding fire performance (28 m red line) | Below 28 m: only low-combustibility materials (Class 2–4) permitted; above 28 m and educational/medical facilities: combustible materials prohibited; evacuation routes and basements restricted from combustible materials | Existing GB 8624 A2-s1,d0 is far higher than the low-combustibility requirement in the “non-combustible/very low combustibility” dimension, but cannot automatically replace Uzbek Г/НГ classification determination | Prepare EN 13501-1 A2-s1,d0 reports and Г/НГ equivalent assessment; use НГ or Г1 as the baseline for above-28 m and educational/medical projects; system fire documents cover finish, substrate, cavity and fire stopping |
| Fire hazard classification (К class) | Material fire hazard is classified К0 (no fire hazard) to К3 (fire hazard); К0 corresponds to non-combustible materials | MCM’s A2-s1,d0 can generally correspond to К0 or К1 in the К-class system, but must be confirmed in a locally accepted form | Clearly state the product’s corresponding К class in technical documents; prioritize К0/К1 positioning for high-rise and sensitive occupancy projects |
| GOST-UZ mandatory certification | EAC is not applicable; GOST-UZ (O‘z DST) must be obtained separately; certificates are available as single-shipment, 1-year and 3-year types; foreign enterprises must apply through a local importer as agent; labels must be in Russian/Uzbek + GOST-UZ mark + certificate number; cycle 4–8 weeks | GOST-UZ certification not yet obtained | Confirm the O‘z DST standard and HS Code applicable to MCM; submit the application through the Uzbek importer; prepare Russian/Uzbek notarized translations; for long-term exports, prioritize the 3-year certificate to reduce per-shipment compliance costs |
| Seismic non-structural components (SHNQ 2.01.03-26) | Exterior wall enclosure of frame buildings must use lightweight suspended panels that do not impede frame deformation; non-structural component fixing must accommodate seismic displacement | Lightweight (3.96 kg/m²) reduces inertial force, but the fixing system must be verified according to project seismic parameters | Complete seismic calculation of the fixing system according to the project seismic zone and building height; use lightweight data as an argument for reducing seismic demand, but do not replace engineering verification; system documents cover anchor spacing, edge restraint and connection detailing |
| Thermal performance and energy efficiency | Uzbekistan continues to promote building energy efficiency; exterior wall insulation and envelope performance are policy priorities | MCM does not provide thermal insulation, but as a finish layer must coordinate with the insulation system | Provide system construction of “MCM + insulation + drainage/waterproofing”, ensuring the finish layer does not impair envelope thermal performance |
| Green/sustainable building | Analysis by the German economic team notes quality trust and certification validity issues in Uzbekistan’s building materials market; internationally recognized test reports have differentiating value | The low-temperature manufacturing carbon advantage is clear, but a locally acceptable EPD is lacking | Initiate EN 15804 EPD preparation; use international test reports and EPDs to support material data requirements of high-end commercial and public projects |
2. Climate Adaptation: Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Thermal Oscillation Are the First Filter; Dryness/Dust Is a Superimposed Variable
| Climate Stress | Core Challenge | Solution Focus | Citable Data and Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continental freeze-thaw cycles (nationwide, winter) | Freeze-thaw cycles in Central Asia’s continental climate create fatigue stress on bonding layers and finish layer interfaces; diurnal and seasonal temperature differences in Tashkent and other cities are significant | Freeze-thaw resistant formulation, elastic bonding system, system interface freeze-thaw stability | -30°C flexibility and 100 freeze-thaw cycles data from high-flexibility emulsion technology can serve as a technical dialogue basis; recommend supplementing system-level freeze-thaw verification using O‘z DST or EN equivalent methods |
| Thermal oscillation and strong UV (nationwide, summer) | Summer high temperatures and intense solar radiation create aging pressure on coatings and polymers; thermal oscillation creates fatigue in sealants and joints | UV-resistant formulation, colour stability, elastic sealing materials | Existing 1,500 h artificial weathering (colour change grade 0) can serve as a basis; supplement ASTM G155 or EN ISO 16474 equivalent UV data, targeting ΔE ≤ 5 |
| Dryness/dust (central-west and south) | Low humidity, wind-sand abrasion, dust accumulation in joints | Dust-resistant joint design, surface abrasion resistance | Stain resistance reflectance drop of 12% can serve as a cleanability reference; joint design should consider maintainability in wind-sand environments |
MCM does not provide thermal insulation. Uzbekistan’s freeze-thaw and thermal oscillation climate means system construction must respond through the overall stability of finish-bonding-insulation-substrate interfaces, not through the weather resistance claim of a single facing layer; seismic fixing systems must also maintain anchoring reliability under freeze-thaw and thermal cycling.
3. Building Scenarios: Three Languages, Three Sets of Selection Logic
| Scenario | Core Client Concern | Flexible Stone Solution Language | Selection Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tashkent “Yangi O‘zbekiston” high-rise residential district and redevelopment-area renovation | 28 m fire classification, GOST-UZ certification, seismic lightweight fixing, renovation schedule, controllable cost | Г/НГ classification documents + GOST-UZ certificate + seismic fixing verification + thin-bed overlay | Neutral-tone stone/brick-look textures; document package centred on fire classification + GOST-UZ + seismic verification. The annual 140,000 deliveries and 30,000 redevelopment units are the volume base |
| Educational, medical and above-28 m high-rise public buildings | Complete prohibition of combustible materials, К0/К1 fire hazard, seismic safety, durable low maintenance | НГ/Г1 classification + К0/К1 determination + seismic fixing verification + system fire documents | Light/neutral-tone stone-look textures; sensitive occupancies and above-28 m projects use НГ/К1 as the baseline, and the depth of fire documents determines bidding qualification |
| Commercial and hotel projects in tourism cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara | Design expression, freeze-thaw/UV durability, fast delivery, coordination with historic context | Custom textures + freeze-thaw/UV data + GOST-UZ + fast installation | Stone/brick-look textures; tourism city projects have higher requirements for design quality and weather resistance; local flexible stone producers such as YanTex already exist, and differentiation lies in system documents and certification depth |
4. Delivery Process: From GOST-UZ Certification to Fire Classification and Seismic Verification Closure
- Determine the local importer and GOST-UZ pathway: Foreign enterprises cannot apply directly and must use an Uzbek importer as agent; confirm the O‘z DST standard and HS Code; prepare Russian/Uzbek notarized documents; for long-term exports, prioritize the 3-year certificate (requiring factory audit), while the first shipment can use a single-shipment certificate for rapid entry.
- Lock fire classification and system configuration: Use EN 13501-1 A2-s1,d0 reports to complete Г/НГ and К-class equivalent assessment; use НГ/Г1 as the baseline for above-28 m and educational/medical projects; system fire documents cover finish, substrate, cavity and fire stopping.
- Complete seismic fixing verification: Complete non-structural exterior wall fixing system calculation according to SHNQ 2.01.03-26 and the project seismic zone; lightweight data serves as an argument for reducing seismic demand but does not replace anchoring verification.
- Supplement system data by climate condition: Freeze-thaw verification supplemented using O‘z DST or EN equivalent methods; UV data targeting ΔE ≤ 5; dust-resistant joint design included in system documents.
- Local channels and installation support: Uzbekistan already has local supply such as YanTex (Samarkand, flexible stone production, about USD 4.38/m²), and category awareness exists. Use local importers and distribution channels for mock-up confirmation; establish installer training, with mock-up walls covering seismic fixing and joint nodes.
3. Citable Evidence List
The following data come from existing SGS test reports and product technical documents; the original reports and Uzbek supplementary test results shall prevail:
- Surface density: 3.96 kg/m² (GB/T 29059-2012); lightweight characteristics suit SHNQ seismic non-structural component requirements and renovation load constraints
- Fire performance: A2-s1,d0 (GB 8624-2012; in Uzbekistan’s Г/НГ system it can generally correspond to НГ or Г1, and in the К-class system to К0 or К1, but must be confirmed by locally recognized reports or equivalent assessment)
- Flexibility: no cracks when bent around a 200 mm diameter cylinder (JG/T 311-2011)
- 1,500 h artificial weathering: gray scale 4-5, colour change grade 0, chalking grade 2, no cracking, blistering or peeling
- Stain resistance: reflectance drop 12% (GB/T 9780-2013)
- Thermal conductivity: 0.171 W/(m·K); thermal resistance: 0.013 (m²·K)/W (MCM does not provide thermal insulation)
- Radionuclides: GB 6566-2010 Class A decorative and finishing material
- SDS: based on GB/T 17519/16483, classified as non-hazardous chemical
Additional note for the Uzbek market: Surface density and flexibility data can be used for seismic and system design communication; the core of fire compliance is the Г/НГ and К-class equivalent determination corresponding to the 28 m red line and sensitive occupancy prohibition; GOST-UZ is a mandatory customs threshold, EAC is not applicable, and foreign enterprises must use a local importer as agent; seismic fixing verification must be completed according to SHNQ 2.01.03-26; freeze-thaw and thermal oscillation are addressed through system interface stability; local supply such as YanTex already exists, and differentiation lies in certification depth and system documents.
4. FAQ: Common Questions About the Uzbekistan Flexible Stone Market
Q1: What is “soft ceramic” called in the Uzbek market?
A: The Uzbek market commonly uses гибкий камень (flexible stone) or гибкая плитка (flexible tile/panel), and technical literature also uses MCM (Modified Clay Material). Local producer YanTex already produces flexible stone in Samarkand. We recommend using Flexible Stone / MCM / гибкий камень as the category entry point.
Q2: What are the specific requirements of the 2026 fire code for buildings above 28 m?
A: According to the amendment to the 《Fire Safety of Buildings and Structures》 code registered on 27 March 2026 (registration No. 391): building materials are divided into 4 combustibility classes; facades of buildings below 28 m may only use low-combustibility materials (Class 2–4); buildings above 28 m and educational and medical facilities (regardless of height) completely prohibit combustible materials; evacuation routes, basements and ground floors are also restricted from combustible materials.
Q3: Can a GB 8624 A2-s1,d0 report be used directly for Uzbek projects?
A: Not directly. Uzbekistan accepts its own Г/НГ combustibility classification and К0–К3 fire hazard classification. A2-s1,d0 can technically correspond to НГ or Г1, К0 or К1, but determination must be completed through locally recognized laboratory reports or equivalent technical assessment; GB reports cannot directly replace them.
Q4: What is the relationship between GOST-UZ certification and EAC certification?
A: Uzbekistan is not an EAEU member state; EAC certification is completely unrecognized by Uzbek customs, and GOST-UZ (O‘z DST) certification must be obtained separately. GOST-UZ certificates are available as single-shipment, 1-year and 3-year types, and foreign enterprises must apply through a local importer as agent; existing EAC test reports can simplify some duplicate testing items but cannot replace the GOST-UZ certificate itself.
Q5: What are the requirements of Uzbekistan’s seismic code for exterior walls?
A: SHNQ 2.01.03-26 requires the exterior wall enclosure of frame buildings to use lightweight suspended panels that do not impede frame deformation during earthquakes, and non-structural component fixing must accommodate seismic displacement. MCM’s lightweight (3.96 kg/m²) and flexibility help reduce inertial force and brittle fall-off risk, but anchor spacing and connection detailing of the fixing system must be engineering-verified according to project seismic parameters.
Q6: How large is Uzbekistan’s housing renovation market?
A: In the 2026 national investment program, UZS 380 trillion (about USD 31.6 billion) is directed to construction works, with 140,000 apartments delivered for the year, including at least 30,000 in redevelopment areas; the government repairs or renovates 200,000–250,000 existing apartments each year, and the housing stock increased from about 6.1 million units in 2019 to 7.7 million units in 2025. The building materials market is expected to exceed USD 5 billion in 2026.
Q7: Is the delivery model selling materials or selling systems?
A: For the Uzbek market, we recommend system delivery of “fire classification equivalent documents + GOST-UZ certification + seismic fixing verification + climate system construction + local importer/distribution”. Selling panels alone cannot respond to the fire review under the 28 m red line and sensitive occupancy prohibition, the mandatory GOST-UZ customs requirement, and the SHNQ seismic code’s fixing verification requirements for non-structural exterior walls.
5. Conclusion: Priorities for the Uzbekistan Market
- Complete fire classification equivalent determination and GOST-UZ certification first: The 28 m red line and the “combustible prohibition” requirement for educational/medical occupancies are the core of the 2026 new rules, and GOST-UZ is the legal threshold for customs clearance. Without Г/НГ equivalent documents and GOST-UZ certificates, products cannot legally enter formal Uzbek projects, and technical advantages cannot be converted into delivery capability.
- Use seismic lightweight component compliance as the technical language for entering high-rise and public projects: SHNQ 2.01.03-26 requires non-structural exterior walls not to impede frame deformation; MCM’s lightweight and flexibility provide engineering suitability, but fixing system verification cannot be omitted. Lightweight is an advantage, not a compliance document.
- Use redevelopment-area renovation and the “Yangi O‘zbekiston” residential district as twin volume engines: Annual delivery of 140,000 apartments, 30,000 redevelopment units and 200,000–250,000 existing apartment renovations per year form continuous demand from new build to renovation. MCM’s thin-bed no-removal and lightweight characteristics fit closely with the redevelopment logic of “retain structure, renew facade”, but entry must be based on fire and certification documents as the language.
- Respond to freeze-thaw and thermal oscillation through system interface stability, not single-facing weather resistance claims: Continental freeze-thaw cycles and diurnal thermal oscillation create fatigue stress on bonding and joints; system documents must cover the overall stability of finish-bonding-insulation-substrate interfaces.
- Build differentiation through local importers and certification depth: Uzbekistan already has local flexible stone supply such as YanTex, and category awareness exists. The competitiveness of foreign suppliers lies not in “category education” but in Г/НГ and К-class equivalent documents, the depth of GOST-UZ certification, seismic verification support and system delivery capability. Complete certification and system documents first, then engage local distribution and renovation projects, using compliance depth rather than price as the first language.
CTA
If you are evaluating exterior wall finish solutions for Tashkent’s “Yangi O‘zbekiston” residential district, redevelopment-area housing renovation, or educational/medical and above-28 m public buildings in Uzbekistan, please contact us to obtain:
- Uzbekistan market compliance pathway checklist (28 m fire red line / Г-НГ and К class / GOST-UZ certification / SHNQ seismic)
- Flexible Stone system construction and freeze-thaw/thermal oscillation/seismic fixing adaptation recommendations
- Test report summary and fire classification equivalent/GOST-UZ certification preparation roadmap
Guangdong Fortune Stone New Material Co., Ltd.
Flexible Stone / MCM System Solutions