According to GMK Center, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Industry and Construction has announced plans to extend the ban on scrap metal exports for an additional six months. This decision, published as a draft order on January 24, 2025, aims to prohibit the export of both ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals, as well as used pipes, railway tracks, and rolling stock. The ban will take effect ten days after its official publication.

The primary goal of this extension is to ensure that local steelmakers have adequate access to raw materials, thereby enhancing the domestic metallurgical industry. The ministry emphasizes that maximizing the processing of secondary metals is crucial for producing higher value-added products, contributing to environmental sustainability and reducing energy consumption.

This export restriction has been in place for seven years, although some raw materials continue to be exported to Russia due to their shared membership in the Eurasian Customs Union. Additionally, Kazakhstan has recently imposed a separate ban on the export of steel billets and semi-finished products, effective from December 1, 2024, also lasting six months. This measure is part of a broader strategy to bolster the domestic steel industry and promote the production of finished products within the country. In 2024, Kazakhstan's steel production increased by 9.5%, reaching 4.17 million tons compared to the previous year.