Belgian Ravago Invests $3.5 Million in R&D Center in Turkey

Belgium-based petrochemical company Ravago continues its investments in Turkey, which it has selected as its production hub in the region. The R&D centre that will export know-how worldwide will hold strategic importance within the Group's 30 facilities. The centre will develop qualified and innovative raw materials for many industries from automotive to textiles. Ravago Group, the world's number one service provider in plastics, rubber and chemicals, opened its R&D centre built with a 3.5 million dollar investment over 4,000 square metres in the Kocaeli Organized Industrial Zone. Belgium-based Ravago Group, with more than 200 offices in 50 different countries, has a sales volume of 4.5 million tonnes. Ravago Turkey, Turkey's second largest petrochemical producer, accounts for more than 10 percent of this volume.

"It Will Operate as an Innovation Hub for Technology Giant Countries Like America, China and Russia"

Leonardo Bellomo, General Manager of Ravago Petrochemical R&D, speaking at the opening of the centre and providing information about the work: "Our R&D centre, which will operate as an innovation hub for technology giant countries like America, China and Russia and brings together many sub-sectors in the petrochemical industry, is achieving a first with this characteristic. More than 30 specialists will work at the centre. Our brain team consists of 20 Turkish engineers. Through the work of our 20 Turkish engineers, we will export our knowledge and experience to the entire world. Our centre, which became operational in June, produced 5 different projects over a 5-month period. Two of these projects were accepted by TÜBİTAK, while our discussions continue for the other 3 projects," he said.

"We Are Targeting 1.2 Billion Dollars in Turnover with 18 Percent Growth"

Mehmet Turhan Onur, Chairman of the Board of Ravago Turkey and Middle East, explaining the Group's and Ravago Turkey's new investment initiatives and targets, spoke as follows: "As Ravago Turkey, we are closing this year with a turnover of 1 billion dollars. For the coming year, we are targeting 1.2 billion dollars in turnover with 18 percent growth across production and exports. The biggest reason underlying the success and growth of Ravago Turkey is that, since its establishment, it has used all its earnings for new investments. Ravago Turkey currently has 3 production facilities located on 169,000 square metres of factory area with a production capacity of 280,000 tonnes. In 2018, we will increase capacity in EPS, stone wool and engineering plastics. In the coming period, for RPU capacity increase and modernization, we are completing a fully automated production facility serving in 75,000 m² of closed area with an investment of 38 million euros in the Izmir Aliağa region. In the near term, we plan to open a stone wool production facility in the Eastern Anatolia Region. We completed Europe's second ceramic wool investment. In 2018, with our high-performance glass wool investment, we will implement another first for Turkish industry and leading industries." Onur, noting that Ravago exists as an important raw material supplier for Turkish industry for the development of production and the growth of Turkey's economy, also said that they have started the Industry 4.0 process with their new investments.