An Enjoyable Conversation with SPM Kompozit Partner Ali Arda Özkenter

We conducted a pleasant conversation with Ali Arda Özkenter, Partner at SPM Kompozit İleri Malzeme Teknolojileri A.Ş., about the company's development process and the products it has brought to the sector.

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

I graduated from the Metallurgy and Materials Engineering department at METU, and then completed my Master's degree also in the Metallurgy and Materials Engineering department at METU. During my doctoral studies, I had the opportunity to work at leading companies in our defense industry. When we established our own company, I had to take a break from my doctoral studies due to work demands. In my academic work, I have conducted research on polymeric materials and composite materials, as well as electrochemistry and advanced technical ceramic materials.

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

We established our company in 2013. SPM Kompozit A.Ş., the first domestic producer of prepreg materials, has localized these strategic materials that were previously entirely imported from abroad. As the domestic company with the largest market share in Turkey, our goal is to expand internationally, particularly to Europe. Following agreements we made in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland, we have begun exporting our products. Our company is currently located in the Ankara İvedik Organized Industrial Zone. In 2018, we informed TAI and SSM that we wished to be located in the Ankara Space and Aviation Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, to be established near TAI in the Ankara Kazan region. They found our company suitable, and we acquired 20 hectares of land. We are now eagerly awaiting the start of the construction process. Our company has 2 prepreg production lines with a combined annual capacity of approximately 1 million m². Additionally, we have plans to commission our third production line at our new factory within the next 2-3 years.

Could you discuss your product groups and product characteristics? Which sectors do you serve?

Currently, all our products are manufactured with epoxy-based resin systems. In the coming period, we plan to undertake work on different resin groups, but the epoxy group alone requires significant R&D budgets and development time. We can produce prepreg materials with epoxy resin systems reinforced with carbon, glass, or aramid fibers in all varieties. Our main products include prepreg suitable for non-autoclave production with 120°C temperature resistance, prepreg developed for the automotive sector that cures in a hot press in 7-8 minutes, and toughened prepreg developed for high mechanical performance. Additionally, our product line includes 200°C temperature-resistant mold prepreg and 150°C temperature-resistant prepreg systems for mid-temperature applications. We have customers in every sector where composite materials are used. The automotive and marine sectors are currently the most important for us. We also have significant customers in the defense industry and medical composite sectors.

Could you discuss your sales activities? Which regions do you primarily serve?

Generally, our customers in the automotive sector are located in the Istanbul and Bursa regions. In our projects initiated abroad, the automotive sector is prominent, with Germany leading the way. For marine applications, we work with companies in Izmir and Antalya, and for the defense industry, we work with companies in Ankara.

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

R&D is one of the most important topics for our company. Over the past 3.5 years, our R&D investments from own resources have amounted to approximately TRY 3 million. We continuously develop the infrastructure of our R&D laboratory. In the recent period, we completed investments in MDSC and Rheometer testing and analysis equipment to advance our work on resin chemistry and rheology. Additionally, in our test sample production infrastructure, we have composite curing ovens, high-temperature calcination furnaces, and many other pieces of equipment. Virtually every week, one of our production lines is dedicated to serial production trials of products in the development stage. Developing a new product is a laborious and expensive process, but equally enjoyable.

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

As SPM, aiming to continuously ensure complete customer satisfaction, we strive to ensure high quality, low cost, and timely delivery of our products, continuously develop supplier relationships, integrate alternative suppliers into our organization that affect our product and service quality, continuously improve and develop the effectiveness of our quality management system and processes through planned and systematic approaches, increase the motivation of all employees, ensure their participation in all matters, and provide training to enhance their qualifications. ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System is carefully applied throughout all company processes. Additionally, in the near future, we aim to obtain the AS9100 aerospace and space quality management system. Regarding our approach to customers, for us there is no question of an approach such as "we have shipped the material and our work with the customer is done." We are completely by our customer's side in everything, from providing technical support to developing special products for customers. This is quite challenging, but as we see the trust-based relationships we have developed with our customers over the years, we understand that we have done the right thing. Over the past years, we have had many customers who, trusting in the composite raw materials we produce, invested in the sector and are now growing rapidly alongside us.

What can you say about internal communication in your organization? What activities do you undertake to enhance your employees' performance?

In our company, we are like a family with all our colleagues. We have communication focused on individual and organizational development with our young and dynamic team. We believe that colleagues who feel valued will add more value to our company.

What activities do you undertake regarding environmental protection and occupational safety sensitivities?

As a company, it is possible to speak of the natural effect of the products we manufacture in reducing the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. Additionally, the technology we selected from the outset as our production method is the approach with the lowest environmental impact in terms of energy consumption and chemical substances used. The non-use of solvents in our production is very important in terms of environment, occupational safety, and product quality. Furthermore, in our company, all legal regulations regarding both environment and occupational safety are carefully observed.

What are your activities in the area of sustainability?

The composite sector is highly strategic for Turkey, as it is worldwide, for a sustainable environment and sustainable economy. We determine all our corporate strategies and R&D decisions with the concept of sustainability at the center.

Could you provide information about your goals and projects?

Our company is an established firm domestically. Our most important goal is to increase our export ratio and become a leading player in the international market. To this end, we participate in major trade fairs and organizations of global significance for our promotional activities. We are making our products and capabilities known to the entire world, particularly Europe.

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

I believe the composite sector holds strategic importance for Turkey. Although there is still much progress to be made, Turkey has significant growth potential in the composite sector thanks to its human resources and dynamism. It is encouraging that this potential has been recognized by both the state and the private sector.