Huating Biotechnology Co. Ltd. will open a cattle bone-processing plant in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region, producing peptone for pharmaceuticals, oil for aviation fuel and bone char for porcelain manufacturing.
A correspondent for Kursiv.media visited the future production site and spoke with the head of the Chinese company, Zhao Xuedong, about the project, which is expected to attract about $30 million in investment.
The facility is located in the Ordabasy district near the village of Temir and occupies approximately 10 hectares.
Investor sees untapped agricultural waste market
According to Zhao, Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector produces significant amounts of animal waste that are not being processed efficiently.
«Most enterprises in Kazakhstan simply bury animal bones in the ground. This not only wastes raw materials but also harms the environment,» Zhao said.
He added that the company also plans to eventually process animal blood, which is currently discarded through sewage systems during slaughter.
«When cows, horses and sheep are slaughtered in Kazakhstan, their blood is simply washed away. We believe it can also be turned into useful products. Perhaps by 2027 we will begin processing blood into livestock feed additives,» he said.
Zhao also noted that animal byproducts such as horns and hooves can generate substantial profits.
«On the international market, horns and hooves can sell for around 400,000 yuan [$60,000] per ton,» he said.
Plant to process 50 tons of bones daily
The plant is scheduled to begin operations at the end of May 2026 and will process up to 50 tons of animal bones per day.
According to Zhao, if a 500-kilogram bull yields roughly 100 kilograms of bones, the plant will require material from about 500 head of cattle daily.
The facility will focus on producing three primary products: peptone, bone oil and bone char.
Peptone aimed at pharmaceutical industry
Peptone, a protein-derived substance made up of peptides and amino acids, is widely used in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
«We use peptone products in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. There are many buyers in China,» Zhao said. «In Kazakhstan, we extract protein from animal bones and process it into peptone using our technology.»
He added that nearly all antibiotic manufacturers require peptone and said Kazakh pharmaceutical companies could also become customers.
According to Zhao, approximately one ton of peptone can be produced from 10 tons of bones.
«The cheapest peptone sells for about 6,000 to 7,000 yuan [$800 to $1,000] per ton, while premium products can cost as much as 100,000 yuan [$14,000],» he said.
Bone oil could be used for aviation fuel
Another major product from the processing facility will be bone oil, which Zhao said can be refined into aviation fuel.
«Traditional aviation fuel creates significant pollution,» he said. «But fuel made from animal fats can reduce environmental harm.»
Bone char to supply porcelain industry
The plant will also produce bone char, an important ingredient used in the manufacture of bone china porcelain.
«About 40% to 50% of the raw materials used in bone china production consist of bone char,» Zhao explained. «After removing all fats and proteins from the bones, the remaining calcium-rich material is heated at temperatures above 1,000 degrees Celsius. The result becomes a key raw material for ceramics.»
Company expects long-term expansion
Huating Biotechnology plans to recover its investment within five to eight years.
«The total investment is $30 million,» Zhao said. «We are negotiating with regional authorities and hope to expand the business over the next five years.»
According to the entrepreneur, the company reached an agreement with local officials in 2025 under which slaughterhouses in the Turkestan region would supply bone waste to the facility instead of disposing of it independently.
However, Zhao acknowledged that the company is still building relationships with local suppliers and slaughterhouses as it establishes operations in Kazakhstan.
