An Enjoyable Conversation with ISOPOL General Manager Ferhat Yücedağ

We had an enjoyable conversation with Ferhat Yücedağ, General Manager of ISOPOL Poliüretan, about the company's development process and the products it has offered to the industry.

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

I was born in Istanbul in 1980. Following completion of my undergraduate education in 2003, I completed my master's thesis on "Antibacterial Polyurethane Wound Dressing" in 2006. After military service, I entered the industry in 2007 as an R&D Engineer. Between 2007 and 2015, I held various positions at different companies. In 2015, I began serving the industry as a founding partner at ISOPOL Poliüretan.

Could you provide brief information about your company's establishment process, facilities, production focus and market share?

ISOPOL Poliüretan was established in April 2015 on a 36,000 m² area in MTOSB in Mersin. Our facility has production lines for polyester polyol, pre-polymer, catalyst and activator blends, and pre-blended polyol. We have annual production capacity of 15,000 tons of polyester polyol and 60,000 tons of PU System.

Could you describe your product groups and product characteristics? Which industries do you serve?

Starting from early 2015, we began serving the sandwich panel industry with our flagship product. As of 2016, after adding other rigid products to our portfolio, we have been commercially selling molded polyurethane sponge systems for automotive and office applications since mid-2016, with R&D activities being successfully conducted. In the first quarter of 2017, it is planned to launch marketing activities for flexible slabstock products.

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

The focus point in our marketing activities is consumer needs, and we maintain profitability through customer satisfaction. Due to domestic market contraction, reduced profitability and extended payment terms, we have turned our focus toward foreign markets. Our target markets are: Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia.

Could you provide information about your laboratory and R&D activities? What can you say about your R&D investments?

Our R&D personnel consist of experts in their field, and we want to be one of the companies that sets direction in the industry through advanced technology products and work unique to us.

Could you provide information about your company's mission and vision? What do you think sets your company apart from competitors?

Our mission is to be a solution partner that creates value for our customers and industry by developing innovative products and services. Our vision is to play an active role in directing the industry with innovative applications as a regional force by 2023. The distinctive features that set us apart from our competitors are that by placing our customer at the center of all processes, we add value to both ourselves and them with the right products and services.

Could you provide information about your company's quality policy and principles? Do you provide after-sales support to your customers?

Our quality policy aims to deliver products and services that exceed customer expectations. In the provision of products and services, we reference national and international standards and the protocols to which our country has committed, producing in an environmentally responsible manner.

What can you tell us about internal communication in your organization? What initiatives are you undertaking to improve your employees' performance?

All positive and negative developments in our company are communicated to our team members and employees, and we ensure their participation in decision-making. In our monthly organizational events, we engage with our employees' families, fostering integration between the company and families. We believe this increases productivity and motivation.

What activities are you undertaking for environmental protection and occupational safety?

In a state of continuous improvement, we prioritize environmental awareness guided by our responsibilities to nature and society. Within this scope, we procure environmental and occupational safety consulting services and periodically train our employees and stakeholders. During all activities, we identify risks to prevent injuries, evaluate them and take measures to minimize their effects.

What are your sustainability activities?

With awareness of our responsibilities to nature and society, we prefer to use blowing gases that do not damage the ozone layer (free of fluorine and chlorine).

Could you provide information about your goals and projects?

We aim to reduce dependency on imports by producing imported raw materials domestically. We aim to move toward products with even higher added value beyond consumer needs.

What are your views on the polyurethane industry? Finally, do you have a message you would like to convey to the industry?

Upon examination of industry reports, it is found that polyurethane consumption growth in Turkey exceeds sectoral growth. The industry has also witnessed the establishment of many companies outside the main players in recent years. New entrants to the industry will contribute to the industry's development as they will increase diversity and competition in the sector. We hope that polyurethane users who contribute to the industry's development will see ISOPOL as their solution partner.