Sarytogan Graphite is on track to revolutionize the premium ductile cast-iron market with its high-performance Micro80C graphite, a cutting-edge product sourced from the company’s Kazakhstan graphite project. The breakthrough development opens exciting new opportunities for Sarytogan to target high-margin, high-volume market segments, positioning the company as a key player in the global carbon and material supply chain.

The company has successfully demonstrated the suitability of its Micro80C graphite for a wide range of industrial uses. Through a series of trials, Sarytogan confirmed the product’s versatility in both advanced industrial applications and lithium-ion battery anodes, but it’s in the ductile cast-iron market where the real potential lies. Ductile cast-iron, prized for its strength, toughness, and resistance to cracking, is used in critical applications like automotive parts, pipes, and machinery. This makes it one of the most sought-after materials in sectors demanding high durability and corrosion resistance. The growing market for premium recarburisers—a key ingredient in the production of ductile cast-iron—is poised to be a major driver for Sarytogan’s future growth.

According to Sarytogan’s Managing Director, Sean Gregory, “The Micro80C product family is a game-changer for our project. Its proven high performance in ductile cast-iron applications positions us to command premium prices and access a rapidly expanding market.” Gregory also pointed to the recent investment in the nearby Temirtau steel mill, one of the largest steel producers globally, which has invested US$161 million to ramp up its ductile cast-iron pipe production. This investment has placed Sarytogan’s product front and centre as a critical supply for this burgeoning market.

Sarytogan’s 229 million tonne graphite deposit in Kazakhstan, located strategically between two major markets—China and Europe—gives the company a significant logistical advantage. The deposit’s high-grade composition (28.9% total graphitic carbon) means that Sarytogan is well-positioned to serve the premium recarburiser market, where graphite is in high demand as a carbon replacement in both grey and ductile cast-iron manufacturing.

Micro80C graphite has already been proven to be an excellent carbon replacement for grey cast-iron, typically trading at US$650-700 per tonne in Kazakhstan. With ductile cast-iron manufacturing standards demanding even higher purity and performance, Sarytogan’s product promises to meet these needs while allowing for increased efficiency in production processes. The company’s next steps include ongoing tests and trials, as well as production of product samples for further customer validation.

As Sarytogan expands into the premium recarburiser market, it aims to place its high-quality carbon units into a variety of industrial applications, including automotive, machinery, and infrastructure. With its unique position in the graphite sector, Sarytogan Graphite is a company that chemical industry professionals should watch closely in the years ahead.