Eti Alüminyum Invests in Specialty Alumina

Eti Alüminyum Invests in Specialty Alumina Production Eti Alüminyum has decided to invest in the production of specialty alumina, a heat-resistant material used as armor feedstock and holding strategic importance for dozens of sectors, particularly defence industry, which the company has succeeded in manufacturing through R&D efforts. With the investment scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2023, specialty alumina products, previously imported in their entirety, will be produced in Turkey for the first time. Eti Alüminyum, which contributes to reducing the current account deficit through R&D and technology work for strategic sectors in Turkey, is making an important investment to increase domestic production. The company, focusing on specialty alumina production used in strategic sectors, particularly defence industry, will commission its new facility in the third quarter of this year. As part of the investment, a Ground Alumina Unit will be added to the aluminum production facility located in Konya Seydişehir, enabling specialty alumina, currently fully imported, to be produced in Turkey for the first time. With the new investment, annual specialty alumina production capacity of 40,000 tonnes is planned. Eti Alüminyum General Manager Mehmet Arkan, pointing out that over USD 700 million has been invested since Cengiz Holding acquired Eti Alüminyum from the Privatization Administration in 2005, stated: "We continue our production by adding technology investments and R&D work to Eti Alüminyum's half-century of experience. With 82,000 tonnes of aluminum production, we meet 10 percent of the domestic market, while high value-added domestic production prevents USD 275 million in annual imports."

Developed by Turkish Engineers

  Arkan, explaining that the specialty alumina, developed entirely by Turkish engineers, has a market size of 25,000 tonnes in Turkey, stated that this market has potential for 5 percent annual growth. Emphasizing that specialty alumina production represents a revolution for Turkish defence industry, Arkan continued: "Our primary objective in the investments we make is to become capable of producing qualified products needed by our country in Turkey. Specialty alumina is a result of this vision. With this investment, specialty alumina, to be produced for the first time in our country, withstands very high temperatures and, alongside its property of not melting even at 2,000 degrees, increases the number of sectors using it through its light and flexible nature. With this important investment, we will not only meet our country's specialty alumina needs and reduce foreign dependence; we will also strengthen our competitive power and boost Turkey's export capacity in aluminum." he said.