Kazakhstan has launched industrial production of mixed vanadium oxides in line with an eye on supplying battery producers involved in the “green energy” transition.

The Central Asian country hopes to partner with global vanadium battery producers VRB and Invinity to explore potential in producing vanadium batteries, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The critical raw material (CRM) product sourced from south-central Kyzylorda Region can be used in both batteries and in micro-grids that minimise losses and ensure a stable power supply.

The Kyzylorda facility is currently producing over 30 tonnes of mixed vanadium oxides monthly, according to the ministry.

The production initiative has been spearheaded by researchers from Kazakhstan’s Physicotechnical Institute and Satpayev Kazakh National Research Technical University, working in collaboration with Balausa Company.

Output relies on local vanadium raw materials and advanced technologies to create vanadium electrolyte.

CRM mined in Kazakhstan are becoming increasingly important to the transition to green energy.

In March, ASX-listed Sarytogan Graphite announced it had purified graphite sourced from Kazakhstan beyond the coveted “five nines” level, meaning the product was expected to be suitable for the nuclear industry at super-premium prices.

This year has also brought reports of how Kazakhstan is positioning itself for a lithium windfall, with the mineral indispensable for the booming power-storage industry.