A new production facility for the manufacturing of respirators - essential personal protective equipment for industrial workers has begun operations in Zhezkazgan. The project was implemented under a three-year offtake contract between Ulytau Industrial Company and Kazakhmys Corporation LLP, the project’s key customer.

The opening of this facility marks a significant step in the region’s industrial development. Forty new jobs have already been created, expanding Zhezkazgan’s manufacturing capacity and ensuring a stable supply chain of personal protective equipment (PPE) both within and beyond Ulytau Region.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Governor of Ulytau Region Dastan Ryspekov emphasized that this investment project by Ulytau Industrial Company represents a tangible outcome of efforts to strengthen the region’s economic potential.

«The plant’s production capacity is five million respirators per year. We expect that its products will not only be in demand among major industrial enterprises but will also evolve into a recognizable domestic brand over time,» noted the regional governor.

The initiative aligns with the national strategy to foster domestic manufacturing and increase the share of Kazakhstani content in procurement. Each year, Kazakhmys alone purchases approximately KZT 71 bln worth of key supplies. The launch of this new enterprise in Zhezkazgan contributes to import substitution and the formation of a new industrial base in the region.

Under the contract signed in August 2024, over 14.5 million respirators are expected to be produced, with a localization rate of at least 69%.

«This project is a vivid example of how the President’s directives are being put into practice at the regional level. We have taken on the role not only of a customer but also of a partner committed to generating stable demand and thereby reducing risks for investors. It is essential for us that our employees’ safety is ensured through high-quality equipment produced here, in Ulytau. We are also interested in seeing the facility expand its product range in the future,» emphasized Nurakhmet Nuriyev, Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakhmys Corporation LLP.

The new production facility is equipped with modern machinery, meets all industrial and sanitary requirements, and adheres to sectoral standards. Quality control is maintained at every stage of production.

An important feature of the project is its delivery model, which ties supply volumes to actual production and delivery timelines - ensuring uninterrupted provision of PPE for workers and minimizing operational risks.

The project was implemented through close cooperation between local executive authorities, the business community and industrial partners. It clearly demonstrates how targeted regional initiatives can yield tangible benefits for economic growth, employment and workplace safety.