EXPORT CHAMPION OF CERAMICS INDUSTRY

Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez inaugurated the new VitrA Karo facility in Bilecik Bozüyük, which is an important part of the 250 million Euro investment that Eczacıbaşı Group plans to make this year. In his speech here, Varank mentioned Eczacıbaşı's contributions to investment, production, employment and exports and stated that they were opening the new facility in the world's largest ceramic and tile production campus gathered under one roof. Noting that Eczacıbaşı does not stop and continues to increase the capacity of its investments and facilities day by day, Varank stated that innovative and large-size tiles with high added value will be produced in the facility opened today.

EXPORT CHAMPION OF THE INDUSTRY

Stating that VitrA Karo has been the export champion of the sector for 3 years, Varank stated that with the completion of the investment, it will bring in additional exports of over 25 million Euros to Turkey.

MARKET LEADER

Noting that VitrA's being the market leader in the upper category class in Germany is a true success story, Varank said that this success was achieved by leading the change, and that all the blessings of digital transformation, which formed the basis of the fourth industrial revolution, were benefited from in this facility.

18 BILLION TL INVESTMENT

Minister Varank said that they have issued 262 investment incentive certificates with an investment amount of approximately 18 billion liras for the ceramics industry in the last 10 years, and that the facility, which was opened, is among them. Stating that they have been working day and night since the day they took office to bring the Turkish industry to the level it deserves, Varank talked about their work in this field.

VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION

Noting that the Turkish industry has been reshaped with the vision of the National Technology Move and that they are trying to give priority to domestic and national production, Varank said, "The ceramic industry is one of the sectors that uses domestic resources the most in exports and has the least dependence on imports. Exports of over 1 billion dollars are worth 40 thousand direct products. , is one of Turkey's important industries with 330 thousand indirect employment. But are these numbers enough? As I think about the potential of our country, I personally believe that we have a long way to go. For example, in the field of high-tech materials. Today, the way to reach prosperity is through value-added production and increasing added value. " said.

TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP

Varank stated that ceramics has the opportunity to be used in many areas from space and military applications to aviation and infrared filtration, and that they are carrying out the Advanced Materials Technology Roadmap studies at this point.

GREAT MOVEMENT

In this context, Varank stated that they set out to produce improved and functional advanced ceramic materials, innovative ceramic composite materials, innovative and functional ceramic powder materials, "We will achieve great momentum in the development of the ceramic industry, both with the production of these materials and with the effective work of the R&D centers supported by our ministry." he said.

TURKEY WILL COME TO MIND

Expressing that he believes in the future of the ceramic industry, Varank said, "This successful industry will rise to the top of Europe with the steps it will take in terms of advanced materials, circular economy and design in the coming period. At the moment, when the ceramic industry is mentioned, does Italy or Germany come to mind? Be sure, 5 years from now. Then, when the ceramics industry is mentioned, Turkey will come to mind. We have the ability to achieve this." made a statement.

TECHNOLOGY-FOCUSED INDUSTRY MOVE PROGRAM

Noting that they support the production of high value-added products that are not produced in Turkey, will substitute for imports, with an end-to-end understanding with the Technology-Oriented Industry Move Program, Minister Varank said, "Our President announced the results of the mobility call last week. I have a recommendation for our entrepreneurs and investors: Please, Technology Focused. "Let them continue to follow the industry move program. Let them apply when calls are made. We will produce more than 900 critical products and technologies in our country thanks to this program. We are determined in this. We are happy when we see the results we have achieved." he said.

CERAMIC INDUSTRY

Reminding that the Border Carbon Regulation Mechanism (SKDM) will be implemented by the EU in 2026, Varank said that the ceramic industry should internalize the works within the framework of the Green Reconciliation Action Plan. Stating that the great challenges faced by the world have been overcome and the current turbulent periods are temporary, Varank emphasized that those who continue on their way with determination and those who do not give up on investment will gain.

SAFE PORT

Expressing that he is aware of the upsetting and hurtful developments, Varank said, "But the recent events have shown that Turkey is now one of the safest ports in the world. Turkey is one of the safest ports in the world. Turkey has a geostrategic location, human resource capacity, planned industrial zones and accelerating defeat.It is a preferred country with its farming ecosystem. In this context, I call out again and again to those who want to invest and say 'I wonder': Do not hesitate. You are at the right place and at the right time to invest and earn. We are with you with all kinds of support such as investment incentives, R&D, entrepreneurship and infrastructure."

COMPETENT WORKFORCE

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Fatih Dönmez, stated that this facility has an infrastructure equipped with the latest technology from raw materials to end products, using artificial intelligence, and said, "This advanced infrastructure also opens the door to the employment of a qualified workforce that has a command of the latest technologies. It is an investment in line with the value-added product strategy in the mining we have put forward. I hope we will further increase the global share we receive from mining with such investments, where we process our existing mines and offer them to the market as a value-added end product. I hope that the facility will meet 7 percent of its total energy from green resources. This figure I believe it will gradually increase in the coming years." said.