Interview with Levent Atmaca, Commercial Leader of Dow Turkey

In our interview with Levent Atmaca, Commercial Leader of Polyurethane Systems at Dow Turkey, we discussed Dow Turkey's activities in the Turkish market. Atmaca shared important information regarding the operations of the Dow Polyurethane System House.

Could you briefly describe your education and professional background in the sector?

I currently serve as Commercial Leader of Polyurethane Systems at Dow Turkey Chemical Industry. I began my professional career in 2000 as a Technical Sales Representative in Dow Turkey's Polyurethane Systems Business Unit. Since then, I have held numerous technical, commercial and marketing roles both within Turkey and abroad in various sectors served by polyurethane systems, particularly footwear and rigid foam insulation materials. I completed the Executive MBA programme at Koç University in 2007. Since 2010, I have held numerous roles as Account Manager in various business groups including polyurethane components, polyglycols, surfactants, performance fluids, glycol ethers and solvents, amines, and propylene glycols. I was born in Istanbul in 1975 and graduated from the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science and Letters at Istanbul Technical University in 1997. I completed my master's degree in Polymer Science and Technology at the same university in 1999.

Can you provide brief information about the establishment phase of your facility?

Dow is a materials science leader with the strongest and most integrated materials portfolio, aligned with three attractive market verticals where we have unique competitive advantages, and consisting of six global business units: packaging, infrastructure and consumer care. Among these sectors are Packaging, Infrastructure and Consumer Care. Dow's annual sales of USD 50 billion and global reach provide solutions to critical global needs arising from global demand factors such as urbanization, globalization, digitalization and sustainability. Our purpose and goal is to deliver value creation and best-in-class performance as the world's most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company. Dow operates 109 production facilities in 31 countries and employs approximately 36,500 people. Dow has maintained its presence in Turkey since the representative office established in 1971. Since then, Dow has been a significant player in the Turkish chemical sector, contributing to environmental and economic standards in Turkey for over 45 years, adopting a strategy aligned with Turkey's strategies through its unique, profitable, competitive and technological products. Dow experts are transforming transformative ideas into groundbreaking solutions in energy efficiency, construction, reinforcement against earthquake damage, alternative energy sources and clean water.

"Dow, as a significant player in the Turkish chemical sector, has been contributing to environmental and economic standards in Turkey for over 45 years, adopting a strategy aligned with Turkey's strategies through its unique, profitable, competitive and technological products."

We serve our customers' needs in a wide variety of sectors such as packaging, construction, white goods, furniture and automotive. Our success in Turkey is based on the loyalty of our customers and stakeholders and the strong partnerships we have built with them over the last fifty years through our commitment to the market. In line with Dow Turkey's long-term objectives, Vorakim Polyurethane System House was established in 1986 under a partnership structure. Later, in 1999, it relocated to its current location in Dilovası, which is 100% owned by Dow, and continues to operate as the market leader.

Can you tell us about your production groups serving the sector? Which markets do you serve?

The new Dow, which was enabled by our merger with DuPont and separation into three distinct companies, aligns a modern portfolio consisting of six global business units with three attractive, consumer-focused market verticals where we have unique competitive advantages: Packaging - Food and Specialty Packaging, Industrial and Consumer Packaging and we are and will continue to be the world leader in caps, closures and tubing for hygiene and medical applications. Infrastructure - durable goods and white goods targeting middle-class and emerging market growth; adhesives and sealants in construction materials fueled by sustainable urbanization; and industrial intermediates and additives enabling global industrial and manufacturing operations. Consumer Care Products - a unique set of chemistry solutions in skin, hair, personal and home care applications designed to consumer needs by region Dow Polyurethanes; under the brands StructuralScience, ComfortScience, InsulationScience and Automotive categories develops and offers a broad technology portfolio and customized solutions to customers in various sectors. Applications range from industrial and infrastructure solutions to consumer comfort solutions in flooring, furniture, mattresses and footwear, automotive solutions for interiors and energy-efficient insulation materials. The operation manufactures and sells fully formulated polyurethane systems and coatings for solid chemical components with solid, semi-rigid and flexible foams, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and composites. Dow is the world's largest producer of propylene oxide (PO), propylene glycol (PG) and polyether polyols and a leading producer of quality aromatic isocyanates such as MDI. Dow Polyurethanes, seeking to meet the specific needs of its customers in their local geographic regions, operates a global network consisting of production and system houses as well as innovation and service centers.

In which countries are your production centers located?

Dow's innovation and growth strategy is strongly focused on providing competitive advantage for our customers and preparing them for tomorrow's challenges. To strengthen our regional presence and enhance our collaborative value chain approach, we invested in expanding our network of System Houses, R&D and innovation centers in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India region. We believe this investment will accelerate both existing and new opportunities with customized and more sustainable solutions tailored to local market needs. Our EMEAI System Houses, innovation centers and service network are currently spread across diverse geographies such as Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, India, Germany, Romania and Switzerland.

Can you tell us about the activities of the Dow Polyurethane System House established in 1986?

We have been operating in Turkey for over 30 years in the market areas mentioned above. With our global experience, we have supported the development of Turkey's major industries by developing customized solutions at every opportunity. We have always been close to our customers and stakeholders; we produced solutions with our expert team with technical and commercial identity. Along with our developing supply chain capabilities, we also promoted the growth of the Turkish polyurethane industry through our local production. With the growth of the sector, we have sustainable growth. Above all, we have focused on delivering best-in-class customer experience to ensure that we continue to maintain our strong and leading position in Turkey.

Have you recently worked on an innovative polyurethane product that will make a difference in the sector?

In this section, I would like to hand over to our Technical Sales Representative, Chemical Engineer Gizem Çakır Aslan. Aslan will describe our innovative solutions under the ComfortScience™ brand that we present to the Turkish market.

What does comfort mean to you? Is it a necessity, support or pleasure?

Comfort means different things to different people at different times. There is one thing that is certain about comfort; everyone needs it. Whether it's to work, play or rest, consumers always seek a more comfortable experience. Comfort is essential for good quality of life and the sense of pleasure. At Dow, we try to understand how people experience comfort and we respond to this with applied science and technology. Based on our scientific expertise and technical knowledge, we produce a range of high-quality materials that meet different needs. At Dow, we have identified three comfort dimensions to help us do this: Ergonomics, Microclimate and Sensory. Our work in the 'Ergonomics' dimension is aimed at optimizing the relationship between the body's weight, shape and size and the material to create a supportive, high-performance system. The Microclimate dimension is about maintaining comfortable temperature and humidity levels in the micro climate present between materials and the human body. And finally, we will try to better understand the textural qualities of a material and its response to light touch to provide a tangible sense of pleasure. By configuring these qualities in different ways, we can respond to different needs and customize solutions to deliver the most comfortable experience possible.

"Our EMEAI System Houses, innovation centers and service network are spread across diverse geographies such as Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, India, Germany, Romania and Switzerland."

  Our specially designed, state-of-the-art ComfortScience™ Studios in Switzerland and the USA are collaborative meeting and training spaces designed to experience how collaboration, customer understanding and scientific method can develop absolute comfort. In the ComfortScience Studio, scientists, manufacturers and brand owners collaborate to develop innovative new products that deliver customizable comfort. Dow experts here combine chemical expertise with advanced data analytics, testing and technology to improve comfort and provide deeper, more refreshing sleep. To meet the unique needs of our customers, we have introduced a new range of materials designed to improve specific aspects of comfort. True Comfort: This high-elasticity foam offers support, durability and 'push-back'. Working on the comfort layers of a mattress helps maintain spinal alignment and prevents pressure buildup. Additionally, the foam takes the shape of the body to relieve pressure and create a cradling sensation. Work done on the top layer of the mattress provides the highest level of customized comfort. Cool Comfort: This durable coating provides instant cooling and helps you find comfort quickly in these important moments before falling asleep. The foam also provides a refreshing coolness that allows your skin to breathe. It increases air circulation to allow heat to escape and helps keep you comfortable as long as you sleep. Clean Comfort: Whether you have allergies or are a busy parent, this washable, quick-drying foam gives you peace of mind and the product meets the needs of modern living. This new comfort material also offers the convenience of "clean and use" for busy parents and caregivers.