Chemical Technology Center to Begin Operations

The Chemistry Technology Center (KATİM A.Ş), launched by the Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB), is finalizing preparations to commence operations in the first half of 2024. The Chemistry Technology Center (KATİM A.Ş), established by İKMİB with the vision of developing high-tech and value-added domestic products and set to be Turkey's first of its kind, will operate on the foundations of technology, innovation and sustainability with the aim of increasing sector exports and reducing external dependency. Preparations for KATİM A.Ş to begin operations are ongoing. The Chemistry Technology Center, which will issue internationally valid certifications required by exporters and serve as an advanced research and development facility, will be located in a four-storey building in Bilişim Vadisi, Turkey's largest thematic technopark, spanning approximately 4,000 square meters including an entrepreneurship and incubation center with 1,700 square meters of infrastructure dedicated to entrepreneurs. The center will feature accredited testing and analysis laboratories and a digital library, serving as a meeting point for the entire start-up ecosystem in the chemistry and related sectors. Annual savings of USD 7.2 million are expected from the testing and analysis services KATİM A.Ş will provide to exporters.

"We will save a minimum of USD 7.2 million annually"

İKMİB Chairman of the Board of Management Adil Pelister made the following assessment on the matter: "With the Chemistry Technology Center project, which will be a first in Turkey, we aim to establish a new ecosystem focused on high technology and high value-added. Thus, we are advancing with confident steps towards achievements that will bring the Turkish chemistry sector to the forefront of global commerce. The Chemistry Technology Center will serve as a technology hub that will set a new pace for our chemistry industry and exports. We have completed the company establishment for our Chemistry Technology Center project. We have secured the land allocation for our center facility at Bilişim Vadisi and received budget approval for the investment amount from the Ministry of Trade. We eagerly await KATİM A.Ş to commence operations. We are completing our final preparations to put the center into operation in the first half of 2024."

Pelister, noting that a total of 175 different tests will be conducted at the Chemistry Technology Center and 83 tests will be accredited, continued as follows:

"Currently, 38 tests performed abroad will be conducted using national resources thanks to KATİM A.Ş. With our center operating at full capacity, we plan to provide services with a total capacity of 1,201,883 tests annually. With test and analysis laboratories holding international accreditation at KATİM A.Ş, we will retain millions of dollars domestically every year. Thus, we expect to achieve a minimum annual saving of USD 7.2 million in the scope of testing and analysis services at optimum capacity. On the other hand, through our Sustainability Center, our SMEs in particular and our chemistry sector will play a major role in the transition to and adaptation with the green economy. Additionally, by establishing our digital library, we will make all sectoral scientific publications available to our users and the scientific community. Through our entrepreneurship incubation center, particularly within the scope of industry-university cooperation, we will contribute to young scientists and academics in the chemistry field to bring their new inventions and technologies to life. We are confident that exporting companies will regard our Chemistry Technology Center as a complex they will proudly benefit from."