Kazakhstan, Turkiye open lab to develop biodegradable packaging

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — An international research laboratory has opened at Utebayev University in western Kazakhstan in partnership with Turkish scientists, with a focus on developing environmentally friendly packaging materials, the country’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education said.

The laboratory, based in Atyrau, will work on producing biodegradable composites made from polypropylene combined with water-based and agricultural raw materials. The initiative is funded under the ministry’s 2025–2027 research grant program.

According to the ministry, the project seeks to reduce the environmental impact of plastic by incorporating biological materials such as bulrush and agricultural waste into conventional  polypropylene.

Scientists are using specialized equipment to integrate these natural components into the polymer structure, a process designed to shorten decomposition time and lower production costs.

Research is being conducted in collaboration with Professor Yasin Kanbur of Karabuk University. At Utebayev University, the work is led by the N. Nadirov Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Ecology.

Assylbek Kanbetov, dean of the institute, said the initiative strengthens ties between science and industry while highlighting the research team’s technical capacity.

The laboratory is being equipped with advanced technology, and the new materials are undergoing testing through scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis and ultraviolet resistance assessments. Researchers say that if trials are successful, the biodegradable packaging could be applied in the food industry, logistics, construction and medical sectors.

Kazakhstan has been seeking to expand innovation in sustainable materials as part of broader environmental and industrial modernization efforts.