Steve Evans, COO of EPSE Technology Inc., and Dr. Mikko Rautiainen, Laboratory Manager at EPSE Oy, spent a very productive trip with our Kazakhstani partners from SK Ondeu LLP (SKO); including Marat Balpayev (Director of the Business and Science Development Department), Altynay Sharipova, (Head of Science, Business and Science Development Department) and Malika Kaiyrbek (Chemical Engineer, Business and Science Development Department). Our goals was to familiarize ourselves with local industrial facilities and their potential, and strengthen our relationship with SKO representatives.
Photo 1. Group photo with EPSE and SKO team in yellow safety vests.
Site touring all over Kazakhstan
The agendas for the site visits included technologies for treating industrial wastewater, production waste, and tailings using EPSE solutions and operating principles. The Green Zone concept, as an integrated solution for waste treatment and water recycling within the production process, was also reviewed at various sites. At some of the sites visited, the potential application of EPSE technology in the uranium mining industry was discussed, as well as its application to tailings stockpiles containing heavy metals such as niobium and tantalum and the possibility of further extraction of rare metals from technological process solutions. During the visit, EPSE representatives enjoyed the exceptional hospitality of our partners and had the opportunity to explore some very interesting and promising sites, where opportunities from both the past and the future await those who are ready to seize them.
Photo 2: EPSE’s Dr. Mikko Rautiainen and Steve Evans received fine local Chapan robes from our partners.
Regional Ecological Summit 2026
EPSE’s CEO Jouni Jääskeläinen and EHSQ Manager Anni Honkonen also joined our multinational team in Astana for the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 (RES2026 Expo) and we were delighted to meet some of our old local friends and make new contacts in Kazakhstan’s beautiful capital city.
Photo 3: EPSE Team at the Regional Ecological Summit (RES 2026) European Pavilion booth ready to roll.
Photo 4: EPSE Laboratory Demo gathered strong crowds.
EPSE and SKO also met with Finland’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Janne Heiskanen and his Deputy Head of Mission, First Secretary Linda Kärkkäinen at Finland’s embassy.
Photo 5: EPSE and SKO with the Ambassador Janne Heiskanen and First Secretary Linda Kärkkäinen.
What are we looking for in Kazakhstan?
We are looking for mining and industrial sites where mineral processing has perhaps been carried out for a long time, resulting in legacy deposits and waste areas, or sites with critical water needs, but first and foremost people eager to work with us to build solutions for the future. With the help of our local partners, we can not only solve water problems but also promote the recycling of important raw materials in a way that brings real benefits to the people of Central Asia.
Photo 6 & 7: EPSE Team visiting SKO Headquarters in Astana.
We look forward to the future and to our collaboration with our Kazakhstani partners.
Samruk-Kazyna Ondeu LLP (SKO)
Samruk-Kazyna Ondeu LLP was established in 2009 by the decision of the Board of Directors of JSC “National Welfare Fund “Samruk-Kazyna” dated November 28, 2008 in pursuance of the order of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. SKO’s Mission is development of the chemical industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan through rational and effective investments in chemical projects, as well as the formation of advanced competencies, and their tasks include development and implementation of investment projects in the chemical industry.
This article was written by
Anni Honkonen
EHSQ Manager
anni.honkonen(a)epse.fi
Follow EPSE in social media!
