NextChem, KMG to partner on SAF production
Technology and engineering company NextChem announced it has signed an agreement with air fuel supply company KazMunayGas-Aero – division of Kazakhstan’s state-owned oil and gas company KazMunayGas – to explore production of sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon hydrogen through CO2 capture.
“As one of the world’s leaders in the energy space, Kazakhstan is a strategic and valuable partner for us. In fact, the combination of the Country’s resources with our Group’s technologies and engineering know-how represents a unique opportunity to drive the global shift towards a sustainable and low-carbon economy. We are eager to make this journey together,” said Alessandro Bernini, CEO, Maire.
The agreement was signed by Ildar Shamsutdinov, general director of KMG AERO and Alessandro Bernini, CEO of MAIRE, at the presence of Arman Shakkaliev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Attilio Fontana, President of Lombardy Region, among several officials of both countries on the sidelines of the Kazakhstan-Italy forum being held in Milan.
As part of the agreement, NextChem and KMG Aero will evaluate the feasibility of development initiatives in Kazakhstan, involving TECNIMONT – Maire’s company dedicated to E&C solutions – for the assessment of engineering, procurement, and construction activities when projects advance to the execution phase.
Earlier in September, KazMunayGas (KMG) and Vietnam’s Sovico Group announced a collaboration to explore the production of SAF in the country. The partnership comes on the heels of Sovico Group’s acquisition of Qazaq Air.
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in August 2023 between KazMunayGas and Sovico during the Kazakh president’s visit to Vietnam.