China's Fufeng launches construction of $800 mln agro-industrial park in Kazakhstan
ASTANA. April 17 (Interfax) - China's Fufeng Group, which specializes in the deep processing of corn, has begun constructing an industrial park in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl region, according to the state-owned company Kazakh Invest (responsible for attracting foreign investment to Kazakhstan).
The total investment amounts to $800 million, with planned processing capacity of 1 million tonnes of corn annually. The project is being implemented in Shu District near the Jibek Joly Special Economic Zone (SEZ). It is expected to become one of the largest projects in Kazakhstan's agro-industrial sector.
The project's infrastructure includes a starch sugar production plant, three amino acid fermentation facilities and a wastewater treatment station. Future plans include establishing production of hydrochloric acid and liquid ammonia.
The project will also manufacture lysine, monosodium glutamate, xanthan gum and feed amino acids. According to Kazakh Invest, the value of these products is 10-15 times higher than the cost of raw materials. The products will be exported to the European Union, North Africa and the Middle East.
The first phase of the project will be completed in Q4 2025.
Fufeng Group also plans to cooperate with local farmers by providing fertilizers, agricultural technologies and guaranteed sales through off-take contracts. Kazakh Fufeng has already signed off-take contracts with Kazakh farmers for the supply of 300,000 tonnes of corn in 2025, Invest Board Chairman Yerzhan Yelekeyev was quoted as saying.
It was reported in autumn 2024 that Fufeng planned to build a similar industrial park in northern Kazakhstan's Kostanay region.
Fufeng Group Company Limited is a major producer of bio-fermentation products in China and one of the world's largest manufacturers of food additives, flavor enhancers, sweeteners and seasonings, as well as amino acids, compound feeds, fertilizers, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The company produces over 50 main product categories, including monosodium glutamate, xanthan gum, glucose and fructose.
