Kazakhstan is considering a plant in Alatau City to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from industrial oilseeds in cooperation with Hong Kong investment firm Full Vision Capital. Deputy Agriculture Minister Azat Sultanov said at a government meeting on August 4 that the proposal was under consideration. Alatau City is a new city near Almaty operating under a special legal regime.
An industry analysis published on June 18 said Kazakhstan’s three refineries produced about 750,000-760,000 metric tons of aviation kerosene in 2025, while total demand was estimated at 1.2 million tons. The analysis, citing Ministry of Energy data, said domestic production covered the needs of domestic airlines, but international carriers and transit or cargo operations left an overall shortfall of roughly 450,000 tons. Russia has traditionally supplied much of the balance.
Ukrainian drone attacks have disrupted Russian refineries in 2026, affecting fuel exports to Central Asia. Jet fuel exports by rail to Central Asia and Afghanistan fell by more than 92% in June from May, while Russia restricted exports of jet fuel and other refined products, Reuters reported.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Sultanov said the government was expanding support for agricultural processing projects that produce higher-value goods.
“To expand exports, including to more distant markets, we are developing deeper processing industries,” Sultanov said. “Alongside major projects producing starches, amino acids, gluten, feed additives and other value-added products, the administration of Alatau City, together with Full Vision Capital, is also considering a project to produce aviation fuel from oilseed crops.”
The August 4 remarks followed discussions held in July. Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov met company representatives on July 9 to discuss SAF production from industrial oilseeds, with agricultural and food waste considered as additional feedstock. A day earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev met a delegation from Towngas and Full Vision Capital to discuss a possible SAF plant using EcoCeres technology in Alatau City.
Full Vision Capital is the family office of Hong Kong businessman Peter Lee. Its portfolio includes EcoCeres, which produces SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil. Officials in Kazakhstan have identified Alatau City as a priority location for the proposed plant, which remains under discussion.
The proposal would add a domestic source of aviation fuel if it proceeds. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is also considering processing Russian crude at its refineries, with part of the output sold domestically and part returned to Russia.
