Brazil-based Votorantim Cimentos, the world’s 7th largest cement producer, opened its new cement plant in Sivas. National Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Governor of Sivas, Davut Gul and Sivas Mayor Sami Aydın attended the opening ceremony of the plant which was brought to life with a 140 million Euro investment and the construction was completed within 2 years.
Stating that the Sivas Cement Plant realized the opening with great enthusiasm and happiness, Votorantim Cimentos Turkey CEO Şefik Tüzün said:
“Votorantim Cimentos has been operating in Turkey since 2012. Our integrated factories in Ankara, Sivas, Yozgat and Çorum and our Samsun, Nevşehir grinding facilities, 16 ready-mixed concrete and 2 aggregate facilities have made us one of the most important players in the Turkish cement sector. We have always kept new investment opportunities in our agenda with our belief in the development and growth of our country. This facility, which we are opening today, is one of the most important investments of our group. This factory is the largest investment of Votorantim Cimentos outside the Americas. This investment amounting to 140 million Euros is also the largest industrial investment ever made in Sivas. As Votorantim Cimentos, we have full belief that our new plant in Sivas will contribute to the development of the industry and strengthen our presence in Turkey.“
Sivas Cement Plant, which was launched in 1938, is the first plant established in Sivas province as well as being the first factory to be established by the state in the history of the Republic. “As Votorantim Cimentos, we are proud of transforming this valuable plant into a modern factory that creates more value for our country,” Tüzün said, indicating that this factory points to a turning point in Turkey’s industrialization and development.
Clinker production quadrupled and reached 1.6 million tons
Having an 85-year history, Votorantim Cimentos has an annual production capacity of 57.5 million tons globally. The company operates in 14 countries including Turkey. With the opening of the Sivas Cement Plant, the production capacity of Votorantim Cimentos in Turkey increased by 40 % to 3.6 million tons. Just the total annual production capacity in Sivas reached 1.6 million tons.
Votorantim Cimentos’ Global CEO Walter Dissinger stated that in the company’s global growth strategy Asia, Europe and Africa regions have a distinctive importance and that Turkey is a significant part of this. He added that;
“Turkey has great potential both for growth in infrastructure investments and growth in the construction sector and for exports. Besides, educated and trained human resources of Turkey is another important factor that leads us to invest in Turkey. We have been carrying into effect, our greatest investment outside the continent of America in this country in order to evaluate this potential correctly and leave a mark on the growth of Turkey. We are delighted to put an investment of 140 million euros, in a region we care so much about”
35 million TL. Investment plan in 2017
Votorantim Cimentos has been a cement supplier to projects in different regions of Turkey such as; Sivas – Ankara High Speed Line, Samsun Çarşamba Airport, Çorum Obruk Dam, Kayseri Palace of Justice. After the opening of the Sivas Cement Plant Tüzün stated that they will add new ones to these projects and she said; “We will continue to make new investments in this context. In 2017, we aim to invest 35 million TL more in the scope of protection of the environment and process improvement. As Votorantim Cimentos, we will continue to assume responsibility with sustainable production awareness without slowing our country’s growth and development.
“ “The most important investment we have made in Europe, Asia and Africa regions, has been the Sivas factory”
Votorantim Cimentos EAA Regional CEO Erik Madsen stated that he believes in the stability and future of Turkey. He added that; “Europe, Asia and Africa region consists of very different dynamics, but considering the potential for economic growth, Turkey especially stands out among all the other countries. For this reason, the most important investment we have made in the region in recent years has been the Sivas factory. This investment is also important because it has become the symbol of our growth plans in the region and our durability. “
