Kazakhstan produces its first world-class technical-grade selenium

ST-1 technical-grade selenium has been produced in Kazakhstan for the first time using vacuum distillation. The chemical element is being manufactured by Kazakhmys Progress, LLC in the town of Balkhash, according to Minister of Science Sayasat Nurbek.

During a government session, Nurbek reported on the achievements of domestic scientists, including the production of ST-1 technical-grade selenium by the method of vacuum distillation at Kazakhmys Progress.

«Thanks to a technology developed by the Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation at Satbayev University, we can produce high purity selenium (99.5%) and increase its value-added from 30% to 97%. The first batch of the product totaled 100 tons and fully meets international standards in non-ferrous metallurgy,» the minister said.

He also emphasized that this achievement highlights the high quality of Kazakhstani scientific research in the industrial sector.

«Our scientists create technologies that can be used in the real economy. This makes science an important driver of the country’s development,» he added.

Furthermore, Nurbek revealed that Satbayev University has partnered with several South Korean entities to establish a joint research center. The Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) has already pledged to equip the center with advanced research devices and facilitate the training of specialists who will work at the new facility.