Ashland invests to expand its portfolio

Ashland MEA Region Sales Director and Istanbul Office Administrative Director Durhan Tezcan discussed the history and development of the US-based company operating in over 100 countries. Durhan Tezcan, Ashland MEA Region Sales Director and Istanbul Office Administrative Director, graduated from Istanbul Technical University's Chemical Engineering Department in 2004, and after gaining some experience, completed an MBA program for executives at Istanbul Technical University in 2010. Over a career spanning nearly 20 years, Tezcan has held various positions and responsibilities in chemical companies operating in Turkey and globally. For the past three years, he has served as Commercial Director for Personal Care and Specialty Chemicals business units in Ashland's Turkey, Middle East and Africa markets. Additionally, he serves as Administrative Leader of Ashland's Turkey office. Before joining Ashland, Tezcan worked at Schülke as General Manager for Personal Care products in the same market and was transferred to Ashland as part of the company's acquisition of Schülke cosmetic preservatives. Earlier in his career, he held positions as Business Development Manager and Technical Sales Manager. Durhan Tezcan discussed the products developed within Ashland and the solutions offered for Life Sciences & Ingredients. [caption id="attachment_160811" align="aligncenter"] Durhan Tezcan[/caption]

Ashland has a very long history and operates across a wide geography. Could you describe Ashland's founding and development process? How long has Ashland been operating in Turkey?

Ashland is headquartered in Wilmington, USA. As a specialty chemicals and additives company, we operate across different regions of the world with 29 production facilities, 29 offices and 20 R&D laboratories. We have approximately 4,000 employees globally and serve our customers with innovative products in over 100 countries. Ashland's Turkey office has been operating since 2011. Actually, our operations date back even further, to 1995, when initial activities began under the ISP umbrella. As Ashland Turkey, we provide creative solutions to our customers across a very wide geography including Turkey, the Middle East and Africa with our solution-focused, experienced and dynamic team.

Could you provide information about the sectors and product groups in which Ashland operates in Care and Life Sciences?

As a company, we prioritize what we call the "big three": pharmaceuticals, personal care, and decorative paints and coatings. Among our new technology platforms are transformed vegetable oils, super humectants, pH neutralizers, new cellulosics, Liquid Cellulose+™, biodegradable polymers and multifunctional starches. In personal care, as part of our portfolio shaping and growth strategy, we are expanding our global biofunctional products and microbial protection production facilities and laboratories with equivalent capabilities to meet regional customer needs.

We know that Ashland places great importance on sustainability. What approach does Ashland take regarding sustainability and environmental issues?

At Ashland, environmental, social and governance (ESG) has been integrated into our company strategy and operational plans. Sustainability is one of the core initiatives shaping our future. Ashland is committed to "Science-Based Targets" and has approved emission reduction targets to reduce its environmental impact and address sustainability across the value chain. Most of our personal care products have a high sustainability profile that delivers value to our customers. Many of our products are natural, nature-derived and/or biodegradable, and we continue to develop solutions with our customers for their own formulations, helping them achieve their sustainability goals.

Could you provide information about your product development and R&D activities?

Through Ashland's global technology, we bring together scientists in applied research, biodegradability, encapsulation, measurement science, process technology, process safety and digital innovation to work comprehensively as a team, helping our customers complete their most challenging projects and meet consumer needs. Our laboratories located in many different regions of the world are equipped with the most modern equipment. When designing our products in these laboratories, sustainability, rheology, solubility, film formation, hardness, flexibility and similar functional properties are among our highest priorities to help our customers' products deliver the benefits consumers demand. Thanks to our advanced technology and skilled workforce, we rapidly adapt to new market trends as our customers' needs change. By carefully monitoring leading global trends, we shape our product development and R&D activities. Biotechnology and artificial intelligence, growing middle class, urbanization, clean content, aging population and ESG are among the leading megatrends we closely follow.

What investment strategy does Ashland plan to pursue in the coming periods? What criteria stand out in Ashland's investment plans?

As I mentioned earlier, Ashland is investing to shape and expand our portfolio by expanding our biofunctional products and microbial protection production facilities and laboratories on a global scale. We are also adding highly talented new employees to our team across all regions and functions.