China CAMC Engineering (CAMCE), a subsidiary of state-owned Sinomach, has signed a $337mn engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the second phase of Kazakhstan’s first soda ash plant, Yicai Global reported on June 18, citing a company announcement made during the Central Asia-China summit held in Astana this week.
The agreement will double the Qazaq Soda plant’s annual production capacity to 1mn tonnes. The facility, located in Zhambyl Region of southern Kazakhstan, will produce sodium carbonate for use in glass manufacturing, detergents and water treatment.
Under the contract, CAMCE will be responsible for designing and constructing production workshops, a raw material mining zone and employee accommodations. The scope includes equipment procurement, installation, operation and commissioning. CAMCE stated that construction is expected to be completed within three and a half years, pending financing and prepayment.
This is the company’s second major contract on the Qazaq Soda project. CAMCE previously signed a $337mn contract for the plant’s first phase in early 2023. Construction of that phase began shortly thereafter and is also scheduled for completion within three and a half years.
The second phase is owned by Turkey’s Corex holding, an Istanbul-based industrial group involved in mining, logistics and renewable energy. The first phase is backed by Yildirim Holding, Corex’s former parent company.
CAMCE reported revenue of CNY546mn ($76mn) from the first phase in 2023. The second phase, which is to account for nearly 20% of the company’s annual revenue, is expected to significantly boost its financial performance over the next four years.
According to earlier statements from Sinomach, the Qazaq Soda plant will position Kazakhstan as a global producer of soda ash, reducing its reliance on imports and expanding its exports to international markets.
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