Interview with BU Industrial Chemicals Founder Bayraktar Yılmaz

In this interview with Bu Endüstriyel Kimya Founder and General Coordinator Bayraktar Yılmaz, we discussed the company's operations and objectives. Yılmaz provided important information regarding future projects.

Could you briefly tell our readers about yourself, your educational background and your professional experience in the sector?

I was born in Trabzon in 1971. I graduated from the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Karadeniz Technical University in 1996. My professional career, which began in 1998, includes: Kalyon Plastik 1998 (PVC Profile-Pipe Production and Quality Control and Laboratory), Mekap Footwear 1998-1999 (Polyurethane Raw Material and Footwear Production Project Manager), Gezer Footwear 1999-2000 (Slipper, footwear and shoe sole production with project work for know-how and manufacturing facility for polyurethane raw materials used), Polexchem 2000-2017 (Brand and designation continuing polyurethane systems production that began as Gezer footwear), and Bu Endüstriyel Kimya since 2017 (Raw material system production for polyurethane and other plastics, paints and coatings and colorants, mold release agents and project work for special applications).  

Could you tell us about Bu Endüstriyel Kimya's development process from its founding to today?

The process that began with polyurethane colorant production in 2006 has made us a supplier to multiple sectors with a wide product variety in line with developing markets and customer demands.

What are Bu Endüstriyel Kimya's products and product groups? Which sectors does it serve?

As auxiliary chemicals for the footwear, slipper, shoe sole, synthetic leather, automotive, furniture-textile, machinery and metal parts sectors, we produce: colorant paints and liquid masterbatches for polyurethane, TP, TPU, PVC, EVA, phylon, ABS, natural-synthetic rubber and regenerated rubber; mold release agents, color pastes, cleaning fluids, production process auxiliaries and polyurethane systems. We also provide turnkey consulting services for polyurethane system production and synthetic leather manufacturing.

Could you tell us about your sales activities? What regions do you primarily serve?

With domestic focus, we continue our work with countries where production takes place in our sectors. In particular, our international activities, primarily with Russia, Turkic Republics, Iran, Arab countries and North Africa, have gained momentum as of 2020, and once the global virus crisis is overcome, we plan to reach our 50% international sales target. What are the conditions for being a global producer in your opinion? You are a global player if you can think globally. If you understand your business, you follow innovations and have a sustainable R&D, development and growth policy…

Have you undertaken any innovative work recently in the polyurethane field that would make a difference?

We have a new project for polyurethane recycling and reintroduction into the economy.

What are your activities regarding Industry 4.0 as Bu Endüstriyel Kimya?

I think we have fallen short in this area. Due to gaps in information acquisition and transfer, we have been trying to build our own memory in recent years. I believe that processing this memory and integration with the global network will be quite costly and time-consuming.

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are critical in the chemical sector as in all industries. What kind of advantages do these technologies provide to your company and the sector in general?

With the integration of Industry and IoT, smart devices used in production will minimize human error and enable the decision-making center to evaluate real-time information correctly and quickly. This will have many positive effects such as increasing production quality, reducing costs and creating competitive products.

Within the scope of new trends, what are the expectations of shoe manufacturers from raw materials?

Everything except fashion. Any type of advantage, universal or local in nature, that can add value to their products and increase their competitive strength.

What do you do in your spare time, what are your hobbies?

I share my time with my family at home and my work family. If I get the chance, I fish and read books.