Şişecam glass makes $82 million Turkish raw materials investment

Sisecam is to invest TL1.5 Billion (US$82 Million) to ensure the raw material needs of its flat glass facility in Mersin, Turkey.

The Turkish glass manufacturer will invest in a sand preparation facility in Tarsus Oiz, where its flat glass production facility is located.

The company will also increase the capacity of its existing limestone and dolomite processing facility in Mersin.

With this move, Şişecam aims to secure close and sustainable resources for its production processes and proactively manage the risks caused by disruptions in supply chain.

The sand preparation facility will have a capacity of 490 thousand ton/years.

The annual capacity of Mersin dolomite limestone preparation plant will reach 655 thousand tons with the realization of 165 thousand tons of capacity increase.

Both investments are targeted to be completed by September 2024.

Şişecam’s Chairman and Executive Member of the Board Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman said the investments would ensure the continuity of raw materials for glass production and managing procurement costs.

“The disruptions in the supply chain, which started with the global pandemic and increased with the Russia-Ukraine war, have deepened.

“Providing effective governance against supply interruption risks is gaining importance for the sustainability of corporate successes in a global environment full of uncertainties.

“Various strategies such as long-term purchasing agreements, collaborations with critical suppliers and vertical integration are becoming the essential and permanent components of supply chain management.

“Ensuring the continuity of raw material supply has strategic importance for our operations. In this sense, I believe that our new investment decision is critical for both the growth of the sectors we provide inputs to and the preservation of our leading position in our sectors. Şişecam has achieved significant success not only with its value-added investments, but also through strategic steps taken for the realisation and continuity of these investments.”