Interview with Emin Fettahoğlu, Shell Chemical Sales Director

In our interview with Emin Fettahoğlu, Sales Director of Shell Kimya responsible for Turkey, Russia and Israel; we discussed the place and importance of petrochemical products in our daily lives, detailed information about Shell Kimya products and Turkey's position in Shell Kimya products.

Could you briefly tell our readers about yourself and your professional background?

I was born in Ankara in 1976. After graduating from the Electronics Engineering Department at Ankara University, I completed my MBA at Bilkent University. I started my career at Shell 14 years ago in the Mineral Oils Department, taking on various roles in Sales and Marketing. In 2013, I was appointed Sales Manager for Shell Türkiye Solvents & Holders, and for the last 1.5 years I have been serving as Sales Manager responsible for a broad region including Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Israel in Shell's Chemicals business. I am married and have one child.

Could you provide information about petrochemical products?

Petrochemical products are the main components of thousands of essential products used in the daily lives of billions of people. Whether at home, in our cars, at work or during leisure time, we are constantly in contact with end products made from petrochemicals. From food packaging, cosmetic products and furniture to tyres; chemical products made from oil and natural gas are part of our daily lives. Thanks to sustained economic growth, millions of people who previously had limited access to these products are increasingly demanding petrochemical products. Over the last 10 years, petrochemicals have emerged as the fastest-growing hydrocarbon sector with annual growth of 3.7%. We project that demand for petrochemical products through 2035 and beyond will grow at the same level as or above economic growth rates. The most important drivers of this growth are population growth, rising living standards and urbanization, and the energy transition driven by consumer demand for products requiring fewer resources. Petrochemical products also help increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Chemical products help reduce energy use, water consumption and waste, whether through lighter materials for better fuel efficiency, insulation for energy savings in buildings, or smart packaging for food.

Could you provide information about Shell's chemical products?

As Shell, we specialize in producing the main components of products that enable today's living standards. We have more than 85 years of experience in the chemicals sector. Shell Kimya products supply more than 17 million tonnes of petrochemical products annually to approximately 1,000 large industrial customers. Our facilities produce various building block chemicals and our products are used in the manufacture of many everyday items from clothing and cars to detergents and bicycle helmets. Over the decades, we have developed proprietary technologies, processes and catalysts that enable us to compete strongly in the petrochemicals field. For example; as Shell Kimya, we have begun producing high-purity paraffin-based Shell GTL liquids and solvents from GTL (gas-to-liquids) products manufactured at our Pearl facility in Qatar. We are the first company in the world chemicals sector to produce various natural gas-based liquids and solvents. In line with Shell's growth vision in the Chemicals business, we have strengthened our team in Turkey. Since 2016, we have also managed operations and customer services from Turkey. This makes Turkey one of 4 countries within the Shell Kimya Organization where both commercial and operational services are provided, and this is unique for Shell Kimya Europe. We have more than 85 years of experience in the chemicals sector. Shell Kimya products supply more than 17 million tonnes of petrochemical products annually to approximately 1,000 large industrial customers.

Could you provide information about Shell Kimya's production facilities?

As Shell, we are also strengthening our presence in important markets. This means we are focusing on large-scale chemical production facilities that are closely integrated with Shell refineries and Shell's other operations. Our major facilities are located on the US Gulf Coast, in the Netherlands, Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and China. We reliably supply our customers with high-quality products. We have capacity to produce 6 million tonnes of ethylene per year. This positions us very well to be part of global growth in the chemicals sector. In line with Shell's growth vision in the Chemicals business, we have strengthened our team in Turkey. Since 2016, we also manage operations and customer services from Turkey. This makes Turkey one of 4 countries outside the 3 global centers of the Shell Kimya Organization where both commercial and operational services are provided, and this is unique for Shell Kimya Europe. Operational services for other European countries are managed from the center in Rotterdam. Petrochemical products also help increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.