Technical selenium grade ST-1 with a purity of 99.5% was first obtained in Kazakhstan
The state supports practice-oriented developments of scientists
Translated with AI from the Russian original.
The company "Kazakhmys Progress" has for the first time obtained technical selenium grade ST-1 by vacuum distillation with a purity of 99.5%. The method was developed by scientists from the Institute of Metallurgy of Satbayev University. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan.
This allowed to increase the added value of products from 30% to 97%. In January 2025, more than 100 tons of refined selenium with a purity of more than 99.5% were exported to China.
The press service of the department also added that researchers from Nazarbayev University have developed a technology for producing precursors of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries from Kazakhstani raw materials. In the future, the production volume may reach $40 billion. This will allow Kazakhstan to integrate into the global supply chain of components for rechargeable batteries.
With the support of the state, cooperation between science and business is developing. For example, the R&D center "Kazakhmys" was opened at Kazgidromed LLP. They are engaged in the development of leaching technologies. Scientists from the University of Arizona (USA), as well as Kozybayev University and JSC "KazMunayGas" are creating new materials based on recycled sulfur.
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan emphasized that the country is increasing spending on research and development (R&D). In 2026, this figure increased by more than 2 times - up to 260 billion tenge, compared to 2023 (121.5 billion tenge). In total, more than 28 thousand people are employed in R&D, which is 30% higher than in 2021. The number of young people interested in science and development for the real sector of the economy is growing.
