Haberler / News

Ak-Kim Invests USD 35 Million in Water Filtration

Following five years of development work, Ak-Kim has created a high-performance hollow-fiber membrane module specifically designed for ultrafiltration systems. The project, realized with a USD 35 million investment, marks Ak-Kim's entry into high-value-added equipment production by leveraging its expertise in water chemicals. The Ak-Kim Ultrafiltration Module incorporates numerous innovative features for flawless filtration. Ak-Kim Kimya began production at its Ultrafiltration Membrane Facility established in Yalova. Through this project, which resulted from five years of R&D efforts backed by a USD 35 million investment, Ak-Kim aims to become a solution partner for institutions and municipalities in water treatment, an area only recently gaining attention in Turkey. Speaking at a press conference held to introduce the Ultrafiltration Module, Ak-Kim Kimya General Manager Onur Kipri noted that the company has invested in the water sector since 2013 in line with its growth strategies. He stated: "We have been collaborating with municipalities since the 1990s. In 2013, we established Akferal together with Feralco, Europe's second-largest water chemicals and coagulant producer. Last year, we expanded our product portfolio by acquiring the water treatment division of the Dostel group within Akferal. We believe that the Ultrafiltration Module will further strengthen our position in this field." Noting that R&D efforts focus on high-value, advanced-technology products that only few organizations worldwide can produce, Kipri said: "As Ak-Kim, we have allocated 4-5 percent of our annual budget to R&D and technology investments. This figure stands at around 2.5 percent globally. Our future goal is to follow global trends in sustainable chemicals and develop biotechnological and nanotechnological new products at our R&D Center." Ak-Kim Water Solutions Director Alp Sarıoğlu, highlighting Ak-Kim's position as the first and only ultrafiltration module producer in Turkey and neighboring countries, noted: "Globally, approximately 12-13 companies produce ultrafiltration modules. Among these are world leaders such as DOW, GE, BASF, and Toray." Today, the global UF market grows at an annual rate of 18-19 percent. We expect Turkey's market to reach USD 70 million by 2022. When our production facility reaches full capacity, we aim for annual revenue of USD 42-45 million," he added. Sarıoğlu also noted that they target exporting 60 percent of production, with numerous countries ranging from Turkic republics to Gulf nations, and from America to India and China in their sights. Ak-Kim Ultrafiltration Module Offers Advantages The hollow-fiber membrane module produced by Ak-Kim performs advanced physical treatment without altering water's chemical properties. The product designed for flawless filtration features numerous innovative characteristics including high efficiency, high chemical resistance, and high dirt-holding capacity. The UF module, with its strong and flexible fiber structure, is suitable for use with different water sources. The UF Module, the most advanced treatment method produced with current technologies, can be used in municipal and industrial water treatment plants for treating wastewater and bringing it into compliance with receiving environment discharge standards. The UF Module stands out in process and drinking water preparation in wastewater recovery systems and is also preferred for desalinating and treating seawater. The Ak-Kim Ultrafiltration Module offers customers long service life, stable water quality, low investment, operation and maintenance costs, and easy installation. It also takes up minimal space, providing additional convenience to institutions.

Merck's "Curiosity for Science, Environmental Care" Initiative!

Merck encourages young people toward science through the SPARK social responsibility project. In the Turkish phase of the globally implemented SPARK project, volunteer Merck Turkey employees provided training to 240 students at Beykoz Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the project's first phase and to 260 students at Private İkitelli OSB Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the second phase. Following training aimed at fostering interest in science among the young adults of the future, trees were planted together to instill environmental awareness. Merck, aiming to reach 60,000 young people globally and 500 in Turkey through the SPARK Social Responsibility Project, seeks to foster "curiosity for science and environmental care" awareness among young people as part of the project. SPARK project volunteers from Merck Turkey provided training to students at designated pilot schools based on their knowledge and experience. In the first phase of the project conducted in Istanbul, full-day training held at Beykoz Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School included general chemistry information under the heading "Chemistry and Water" to spark student interest in science, with experiments conducted. Laboratory safety and the importance of water for life were also covered during training.

Bosch Selects Festo as Preferred Supplier

The Bosch group, the world's largest automotive industry supplier, has selected Festo as its preferred supplier for pneumatic products. Festo earned the preferred supplier status due to its strong performance in collaboration with the Bosch group. Supplier evaluation criteria include, among other factors, strong delivery reliability, smart technical solutions, compliance with international standards, and global collaboration. This decision was made by the Bosch group's global procurement team. Lars Nordström, Chief Procurement Officer for Machine Components and Services at Stuttgart Bosch, presented the relevant certificate and stated: "Suppliers are an important success factor for us. The supplier's global collaboration is of great importance to the Bosch group." Nordström added that he was very pleased with the selection of Festo, a European market leader in pneumatics. Bosch honors its best suppliers each year with preferred supplier status. Consequently, the Bosch group works annually with thousands of suppliers worldwide, only a few of whom receive this distinction. The preferred supplier status applies to all Bosch plants worldwide and to all operating divisions of this high-tech company, which is the automotive industry's largest supplier.

EUR 100,000 Prize for Future Energy Storage Device

BASF and Volkswagen are organizing the fifth edition of the "Electrochemistry Science Award" this year. Scientists can apply from anywhere in the world by visiting www.science-award.com until 12 August 2016. A jury comprising BASF and Volkswagen experts along with prominent figures from the scientific community will conduct the evaluation. The award ceremony will take place on 21 November 2016 in Berlin. The international "Electrochemistry Science Award," supporting outstanding achievement in science and engineering, aims to accelerate the development of high-capacity energy storage devices. The competition, held since 2012 and addressing academic researchers from around the world, awards EUR 50,000 to the first-place winner and a total of EUR 100,000 in prizes.

Clariant Expands Bleaching Earth Capacity in Mexico

Clariant is increasing production capacity for Tonsil® bleaching earth and Tonsil Coarse Optimized (CO) products at its Puebla production site in Mexico by 30 percent. Clariant's latest Tonsil production line at the Puebla site completed a two-year investment project valued at several million Swiss francs for capacity expansion, with additional capacity brought on line as of April 2016. Puebla is the Functional Minerals Operating Unit's second-largest site for bleaching earth production. The site's proximity to the company's own mining area and the fully integrated supply chain for end customers in North and South America represents the most important logistics factor. Sven Schultheis, Head of the Functional Minerals Operating Unit: "Following continuous success in the bleaching earth and mineral absorbents sector in North and South America, this investment strengthens our capability as the most important supplier in the vegetable oil industry and solidifies our commitment to supporting market development and growth together with our customers in this vital sector. This is particularly important for those operating in canola oil purification in North America," he explained. Today, a significant portion of vegetable oil produced worldwide is purified with Tonsil bleaching earths. Tonsil sets the gold standard in efficient and sustainable purification of vegetable oils in the use of natural resources, effectively removing impurities from all types of vegetable oils, and minimizing waste throughout the entire process. Highly active Tonsil CO-type products offer maximum flexibility and efficiency to customers in processing aromatic and jet fuel petrochemical streams.

Dow Turkey Becomes "Low Carbon Hero" at 3rd Istanbul Carbon Summit

Among participants in the 3rd Istanbul Carbon Summit, organized for the third time by the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D), Dow Turkey also received the "Low Carbon Hero" award. The Istanbul Carbon Summit, bringing together prominent government officials, academics, and private sector representatives from Turkey and abroad in the fields of energy and climate change, took place between 14-15 April at the ITU Suleyman Demirel Cultural Center. Dow Turkey participated among the attendees at the summit organized for the third time by the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D). Through the "Low Carbon Heroes Awards," SÜT-D aims to recognize those who excel in carbon management in production and consumption, to support those working toward a low-carbon economy, and to increase public awareness of the subject. At the ceremony it organized, SÜT-D deemed Dow worthy of the award. Dow's "Thermoplastic Polyolefin Membranes," an alternative to bitumen and PVC-based roof covering materials commonly used in roof insulation developed in collaboration with Multiplan Yalıtım Sistemleri A.Ş., earned Dow the award. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Mustafa Öztürk, presented the award to Multiplan Yalıtım Sistemleri A.Ş. Board Member Mehmet Nazım Yavuz and Dow Elastomers Turkey Technical Sales and Project Development Manager Varun Thakur.

Archroma's Advanced Brightening Approach Provides Paper Producers with More Even Whites and Customizable Formulations

Archroma has developed a new approach that reduces optical brightening agent (OBA) consumption by more than 20 percent while improving print differences and appearance, giving paper producers the expertise to produce more even, brighter whites. This new approach, which has undergone five years of development and carries a patent application under the title advanced brightening, provides users the opportunity to optimize both optical brightening agents (OBA) and shade-imparting components in the production of print, writing, and office papers. This new approach highlights a two-component package by combining Archroma's Cartawhite XL liquid—a surface shading solution—with Leucophor® optical brightening agents (OBA). Advanced brightening allows individual dosing of these two components, reducing brightening costs across all stages of the process.

Solvay Appoints IMCD as EMEA Distributor for Fomblin® PFPE Lubricant Products

IMCD N.V. announced that as of 1 April 2016, it will be the distribution partner of Solvay Specialty Polymers for EMEA-based Fomblin® PFPE lubricant products. Fomblin® PFPE are fluorinated lubricants best used in aggressive chemical and high-temperature environments. They can be used in their original forms or generally formulated in greases for special applications in the chemical, electronics, military, nuclear, data processing sectors, and other sectors requiring high-performance lubricants. Solvay Specialty Polymers is a world-class supplier in fluorinated fluids, and the Fomblin® PFPE product range complements IMCD's existing lubricant portfolio. The decision to appoint IMCD as EMEA distributor for the Fomblin® PFPE product range ensures that all customers continue to benefit from the highest levels of technical support, market knowledge, and service. Vincent Meunier, EMEA Specialty Polymers Solvay Channel Partners Manager, made the following remarks: "IMCD has provided professional and expert support in the lubricants field for more than a decade and has demonstrated extensive expertise. Their dedicated technical sales personnel understand their customers and their operations and technologies. We believe this approach will help increase overall customer satisfaction levels regarding the purchase of our Fomblin® PFPE products."

International Pharmaceutical Group Servier Begins Production in Turkey

Servier Pharmaceuticals and Research A.Ş., celebrating its 30th year in Turkey, is relocating the production of its products for the Turkish market from Ireland and France to Turkey. Under this decision, the production of 21 million boxes of pharmaceuticals will be transferred from these countries to Turkey over the next 18 months. The France-based international pharmaceutical group Servier, supplying a wide range of medical products, is increasing its production in Turkey. The Servier group has decided to localize the production of its products for the Turkish market. Under this framework, the production of 21 million boxes of pharmaceuticals will be transferred from Ireland and France to Turkey over the next 18 months. Servier management conveyed details of the production decision at a press conference hosted by Servier Pharmaceuticals and Research A.Ş. (Servier Turkey) General Manager Philippe Méa and attended by Ministry of Health Undersecretary Prof. Dr. Eyüp Gümüş.

French Safic-Alcan Acquires Turkish Engineering plastics firm Interplast

Safic-Alcan, Paris-based international chemical products distributor with offices in more than 25 countries including China, India, and the United States, and the French group generating EUR 465 million in revenue in 2015, has acquired 100 percent of the shares of Turkish company Interplast. Safic-Alcan, which acquired 51 percent of Interplast's shares in 2011—when the company was founded in 2004—accelerated its purchase of remaining shares originally planned for 2018 due to Interplast's rapidly increasing profitability and superior business performance. Reha Gür, founding member of Eurotec and Interplast and currently serving as Chairman of the PAGDER (Plastics Manufacturers Association) Board, noted that this important acquisition is a significant achievement for Turkey's plastics sector. Gür stated, "Despite all negative events occurring worldwide and in our country, through successful and reliable business leaders, Turkey will continue to attract foreign investors to our nation. Interplast is a successful example of this." Founded in 2004, Interplast, along with Eurotec, has had its shares entirely acquired by French group Safic-Alcan at a time when investments have stalled. Founded in 1847 and operating in more than 25 countries including China, India, and the United States, with offices in EU countries, Turkey, Eastern Europe, China, and America, Safic-Alcan and Interplast signed an agreement for the purchase of all shares.

Interplast to Continue as Eurotec's Turkey Distributor; Product Range to Expand!

Evaluating the agreement regarding Safic-Alcan's acquisition of all Interplast shares, Eurotec and Interplast Board Chairman Reşit Ronabar noted the following: "We had agreed with Safic-Alcan that, in addition to the 51 percent stake it acquired in 2011, it would acquire 24.5 percent in 2016 and the remaining shares in 2018. However, since 2011, Interplast demonstrated such rapid business development performance and increasing profitability that... Seeing that the price it would pay in 2018 would be considerably higher than in 2016 based on this remarkable success trajectory, Safic-Alcan decided to act quickly and completed the acquisition of all shares. Interplast, which has completed the sale of all its shares, will continue as Eurotec's Turkey distributor and will now, in addition to Eurotec products, conduct sales in the cosmetics, rubber, paints and coatings sectors."

Tüpraş Chooses Linde Gaz

Tüpraş has signed a new partnership with Linde Gaz A.Ş. to meet its industrial gas requirements in its processes. The Nitrogen Production Facility to be established at the İzmit Refinery is planned to become operational in 2017. Nitrogen production facilities provide safe and uninterrupted supply while enabling remote monitoring and control of the process through advanced technology, and simultaneously incorporate numerous advanced technologies such as product purity control and instant malfunction alert detection. Under the contract signed between Tüpraş and Linde, uninterrupted gas supply necessary for production is provided, strengthening the long-standing collaboration between Tüpraş and Linde through this agreement. Discussing details of the investment, Linde Gaz A.Ş. General Manager Mert Alper Kumbaracı stated, "On-site nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen production facilities implemented with Linde's advanced technology offer Turkish industrialists not only investment, financing, and operation advantages but also the opportunity to focus on their core business lines. Today, Linde operates more than 1,000 on-site production facilities worldwide, and in Turkey, we serve leading companies in carbon fiber, white goods, margarine, glass, steel, and petrochemicals sectors with this technology. As Linde Turkey, we are honored and pleased to establish a new Nitrogen Production Facility at Tüpraş, the leading industrial establishment of the country, at its İzmit Refinery," he stated.

Three Sectors with TRY 150 Billion Size Unite Under TOBB Umbrella

Yavuz Eroğlu Became the First Chairman of TOBB Turkey Plastics Rubber Composite Sector Council

In the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the representative of professional umbrella organizations in Turkey, a new Council has been established. The Turkey Plastics Rubber Composite Sector Council was created within TOBB for representatives of the plastic, rubber, and composite sector with economic size of TRY 150 billion. PAGEV Board Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu was elected to the Council Presidency. The Turkey Plastics, Rubber, and Composite Sector Council, which TOBB recently completed establishing, held its first meeting. Yavuz Eroğlu, Chairman of the Turkish Plastics Manufacturers Research, Development and Education Foundation (PAGEV) Board, was elected Chairman of the Turkey Plastics Rubber Composite Sector Council, which will represent 40 companies with combined revenue of TRY 30 billion from three sectors reaching TRY 150 billion in size. Flexible Packaging Manufacturers Association (FASD) Chairman Enver Bakioğlu was appointed Vice Chairman.

Dr. Robin Kent Explained Creative and Sustainable Cost Management Techniques in Plastics Industry

Dr. Robin Kent, who came to Istanbul for the "Cost Management in Plastics Industry Seminar" organized by our association and explained cost reduction methods to plastics manufacturers that could provide solutions to problems of shrinking markets and declining profitability, received significant attention. At the seminar, attended by officials from the T.R. Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology Productivity General Directorate, Dr. Robin Kent, one of the world's leading experts in the field, focusing on cost management techniques and strategies, explained concrete solution methods for finding ways to achieve savings, especially in energy, the most important cost item, and understanding the nuances involved. In his opening remarks at the seminar, PAGDER Board Chairman Reha Gür noted that education holds an important place among PAGDER's activities that will make direct contributions to the sector and that they particularly focus on quality education. He stated, "With this seminar of ours, where the secrets of using resources in the most correct and efficient manner will be explained practically to our sector members, we will present another example of quality education."

Ant Teknik's Chromatographic Expertise and Merck's Superior Column Technology Under One Roof!

Ant Teknik, which has served in the chromatography field for many years with the Shimadzu company it represents, has entered into a new partnership in this field and become Merck Column group's "Turkey main importer." The product portfolio of the chromatography group, part of Merck's Life Sciences division, is designed based on a simple yet extremely powerful principle: continuous improvement. Since developing the first aluminum oxide for adsorption chromatography in 1904, Merck continues to develop superior tools and new technologies to help customers overcome difficult situations they encounter. Analytical HPLC is a technique routinely used in industry and academic studies for the separation, quantification, and identification of chemical or biological compounds. Merck Life Sciences, through its long-standing investments, develops columns that guarantee reliable and reproducible HPLC separations even in the most challenging analyses; consequently, it provides analysts with a comprehensive and high-quality HPLC column range for food, pharmaceutical, environmental, petrochemical, and clinical analyses. Chromolith® columns, thanks to their unique and patented monolithic silica technology, enable ultra-fast and robust separations with standard HPLC systems; the zwitterionic SeQuant® ZIC®-HILIC technology allows work under different separation conditions resulting in excellent HPLC separations for all polar and hydrophilic compounds; Purospher®, thanks to its optimal selectivity, is preferred for many different applications in reversed-phase HPLC and UHPLC method development. Merck Life Sciences' most well-known HPLC column brands—LiChrosorb®, LiChrospher®, and SuperSpher®—continue to deliver excellent results. Additionally, ChiraDex® columns, specially developed for chiral compounds, an extremely important application for the pharmaceutical industry, have also taken their place in the product portfolio.