What happened
According to Industrialnaya Karaganda on 1 October 2026, an industrial zone of republican significance, "Temirtau", will be created in Temirtau, focused on deep processing of coal and metallurgical raw materials and the development of coal chemicals. Based on Qarmet JSC, the plan is to form a cluster running from coke and coke gas to high value-added coal-chemical products and to reduce the city's dependence on a single sector. The information is attributed to the Karaganda regional department of entrepreneurship and industry. Under Article 30 of the Law "On Special Economic and Industrial Zones" No. 【待核实：文号】 of 3 April 2019, industrial zones may be of republican, regional or private significance.
Zone parameters
Total area is 615 hectares, of which 61 ha is state-owned and 554 ha is under Qarmet's land use. Potential participants are being studied. Eight projects with a total value of over KZT 900 billion and more than 3,000 jobs are envisaged. Directions include the chemical industry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, import substitution and exports of high value-added products.
Key projects
Two coke-chemical projects are named: Qarmet's coke batteries Nos. 8–9, gas cleaning and coal chemicals (1.5 million tonnes of coke a year), worth KZT 432.5 billion; and the "Coke gas utilisation, coke" project of China National Chemical Engineering International Corp. (up to 3.5 million tonnes a year), worth KZT 180 billion. The names and values of the other projects are not given in the report.
Link to Qarmet's current projects
Forbes.kz reported on 24 April 2026 that construction of coke batteries Nos. 8 and 9 began in October 2025, oven masonry is planned for August 2026, commissioning for 2028, with total investment of USD 639 million including the coal-chemical component; the Chinese engineering company ACRE takes part, working on a full-cycle basis. According to Tengrinews, Qarmet's projects are among 17 breakthrough initiatives approved by the government and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan is involved in financing; the new batteries, with 1.5 million tonnes of coke a year, will replace five worn-out ones (decommissioning planned for 2032–2033); from 2029 the company expects to produce 2.5 million tonnes of its own coke a year. These figures are relayed from the company and the bank and were not independently verified.
Rules related to this news
Status and uncertainty
The concept for the Temirtau industrial zone has been drawn up and submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Construction for review by an expert council; there is no approval document yet. The scale of the eight projects, participants and timelines may therefore change.
What it means for Chinese investors
First, the zone's core projects are concentrated in coke chemistry and coal chemicals, so Chinese companies in equipment, engineering and technology may wish to follow participant selection. Second, the zone is still at concept stage: entry conditions, support measures and land arrangements will become clear only after approval. Third, the amounts and capacities are planning figures from regional bodies and companies. This is not legal or investment advice.
Sources: Industrialnaya Karaganda, https://inkaraganda.kz/novosti/regiony/perehodit-v-gaz-v-temirtau-budet-sozdana-industrialnaja-zona/; Forbes.kz, https://forbes.kz/articles/v-temirtau-obnovlyayut-koksohimicheskoe-proizvodstvo-cdd462; Tengrinews.kz, https://tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/qarmet-perehodit-prirodnyiy-gaz-rasshiryaet-proizvodstvo-606470/
https://inkaraganda.kz/novosti/regiony/perehodit-v-gaz-v-temirtau-budet-sozdana-industrialnaja-zona/
Key facts
- The Karaganda Region plans to establish an industrial park of republican significance called 'Temirtau' in Temirtau, positioned for deep processing of coal and metallurgical raw materials and coal chemicals.
- The Temirtau industrial park has a total area of 615 hectares, of which 61 hectares are state-owned land and 554 hectares are land use rights held by Qarmet.
- The Temirtau industrial park is planned to host 8 projects with total investment exceeding 900 billion tenge and more than 3,000 new jobs.
- China National Chemical Engineering International Corp.'s coke oven gas utilization and coke project involves investment of 180 billion tenge and a capacity of up to 3.5 million tonnes per year.
- Qarmet's No. 8 and No. 9 coke oven batteries, gas purification, and coal chemical project has a capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of coke per year and investment of 432.5 billion tenge.
- The concept for the Temirtau industrial park has been submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Construction, pending submission to an expert council for review; there is currently no approval document.
FAQ
Where is the Temirtau industrial park located and who is promoting it?
The park is planned to be located in Temirtau, Karaganda Region, as an industrial park of republican significance, relying on Qarmet JSC to form a cluster from coke and coke oven gas to coal chemical products, in accordance with the Law on Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks.
How many projects and how much investment are planned for the park?
The park is planned to host 8 projects with total investment exceeding 900 billion tenge and more than 3,000 new jobs; the main development areas are chemicals, machinery manufacturing, and electrical equipment, with the goals of import substitution and export of high value-added products.
What can Chinese investors focus on?
The park's core projects are concentrated in coking and coal chemicals; Chinese companies involved in equipment, engineering, and technical support may pay attention to the subsequent selection of potential participants.
Has the park been approved yet?
The park concept has been prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan, pending submission to an expert council for review; there is currently no approval document, and the project scale, participants, and timeline may still be adjusted.
Which project in the park is the coke oven gas utilization project?
It is China National Chemical Engineering International Corp.'s 'Coke Oven Gas Utilization and Coke' project, with a capacity of up to 3.5 million tonnes per year and investment of 180 billion tenge.