Kazakhstan Promotes Ecology: Reducing the Volume of Hazardous Waste

The Kazakh company First Recycling has started operating in Almaty. Since 2009, working under the Technic Destroy brand, the company has established itself as one of the leaders in waste recycling, reports inbusiness.kz. The launch of the new plant will significantly reduce the negative environmental impact of used batteries found in various electronic devices and modern gadgets.

The products obtained through careful battery recycling will be exported abroad and used by local enterprises to manufacture a variety of goods and materials.

First Recycling's CEO, Rustam Yunusbayev, noted that the introduction of new technologies, some of which are being developed in Kazakhstan, not only reduces environmental harm but also decreases the consumption of primary resources.

Reducing the extraction of primary resources helps preserve natural wealth and makes a significant contribution to improving the environment. Our plant opens new opportunities for environmental protection: recycled batteries become a source of new export products. This is a unique facility, unparalleled in Central Asia. We not only meet global standards but also bring them to our region.

Currently, negotiations are underway with four major Chinese companies showing interest in the products made at the new plant. The most in-demand export product is a powder with a high lithium content — a valuable metal in demand on the global market. Lithium-based chemical compounds are key components of most modern batteries used in electronic devices, electric vehicles, and other forms of transport.

Rustam Yunusbayev noted that the new plant is capable of recycling all types of lithium-ion batteries, including electric vehicle batteries. While the main focus is on lithium-ion battery recycling, the equipment also allows processing of other types of batteries, such as AA, AAA, and others. This project was made possible through cooperation with BAT Kazakhstan.

The opening of Kazakhstan's first lithium-ion battery recycling plant is a major step forward for the country in implementing environmental protection programs, noted BAT Kazakhstan CEO Vugar Manafli.

Over the past decades, we have become heavily reliant on batteries that power our smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other devices. As demand grows, so does the number of discarded batteries, creating significant environmental risks. We believe the opening of this plant is our contribution to protecting the planet, demonstrating Kazakhstan's and our company's readiness to take responsibility for the future.

Experts estimate that China is the global leader in battery recycling. The global market volume in this field currently stands at around $11 billion, with growth projected to reach $18 billion over the next three to four years.

High demand for components for lithium-ion battery production and the growth of electric vehicle manufacturing could lead to a shortage of chemical elements. Therefore, many leading battery-producing countries are focusing on recycling plants for used batteries.

Investment in Kazakhstan's first lithium battery recycling plant exceeded 180 million tenge. BAT Kazakhstan covered part of the costs to establish the new facility.

BAT Kazakhstan's investment in the construction of the recycling plant is aimed at one of the company's social projects in Kazakhstan, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact, emphasized Ainur Amanzholova, Director of Human Resources at the company.

Our global strategy includes caring for the environment. We support several of the 17 UN goals and choose the most relevant projects for each country. In Kazakhstan, reducing the lithium-ion footprint is particularly important for us. This project became a priority as it aims to efficiently use secondary resources. We have long partnered with companies that recycle materials used in our operations, and now we have included battery recycling in this effort.

With the rapid development of electric transport in Almaty, the creation of battery recycling capacities has become highly relevant. Ecologist and maslikhat deputy Timur Eleusizov noted that such facilities will reduce environmental risks for the region and the country.

Used lithium-ion batteries in landfills pose a serious threat to the environment. Toxic substances such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt can leach into the soil and groundwater, degrading soil quality and contaminating water resources. Recycling helps mitigate these risks by safely disposing of hazardous substances and returning valuable materials to the production cycle.

At the opening ceremony, Rustam Yunusbayev presented Vugar Manafli with a symbolic gift — a vial of the new plant’s recycled lithium-ion battery product. The facility has the capacity to recycle up to 30 tons of batteries per month, with plans to scale up production in the future.

It is estimated that recycling one ton of used batteries can save up to 250 kg of lithium, significantly reducing the need for extraction. Additionally, it decreases the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, causing long-term negative effects on the ecosystem.

Producing lithium from primary sources requires significant energy consumption. The carbon footprint from extracting one ton of lithium is about 15 tons of carbon dioxide, whereas recycling one ton of lithium-ion batteries can reduce these emissions by 70-80%.