Okan Erdeve / General Manager
ECF Mühendislik
“We continuously monitor activities aimed at improving, refining, and boosting the efficiency of the cement process. In this regard, we are greatly intrigued by both new and ongoing applications conducted domestically and internationally. We consistently evaluate our past actions, explore potential options in this field and adapt them to our practices. Similarly, we persist in our efforts to raise awareness among our colleagues and subsequently among our customers.”
You remain dedicated to your work in the cement and mining sectors without interruption. Could you tell us about the projects that have been on your agenda as ECF recently?
ECF operates in the Industrial Electrical Systems sector while simultaneously providing turnkey contracting services as both an industrialist and contractor. Additionally, it manufactures low voltage panels at its facilities in Ankara Anadolu OIZ. The ECF team, totaling 140 individuals, serves both domestically and internationally, comprising 38 white-collar and 102 blue-collar employees.
As an ABB Licensed panel manufacturer, our panel production continues at an intense pace, having already doubled our total production output from the entirety of 2023. The year 2024 continues with the same intensity. We produce roughly half of our production volume for our own contracting projects and allocate the other half to serve the defense industry, mining, and various industrial sectors both domestically and internationally.
As ECF Engineering, our industrial electrical contracting activities are progressing rapidly. So far, we have built and put into operation seven integrated cement plants and four grinding plants domestically and internationally. In addition, we have successfully completed many works such as capacity increases, energy efficiency investments, and renovation projects in existing industrial production facilities. We have notably completed and commissioned the electrical systems for the first stage clinker production line in collaboration with ABB Electric, particularly in the Medcem II line investment, the largest cement plant in Europe and Türkiye. We are nearing completion of the construction of the Cement Mill Roller Press Facility, part of the ongoing capacity increase investment at Limak Kilis Cement Plant. As we approach the final stage of a 14-month project in a mining facility in Saudi Arabia, our efforts simultaneously progress with varied scopes and responsibilities in a cement facility in Turkmenistan. Within the scope of waste heat energy production projects in Türkiye, our work continues as the Electrical Systems Main Contractor in two facilities under the umbrella of CTN Group.
As an ABB Licensed panel manufacturer, our panel production continues at an intense pace, having already doubled our total production output from the entirety of 2023. The year 2024 continues with the same intensity. We produce roughly half of our production volume for our own contracting projects and allocate the other half to serve the defense industry, mining, and various industrial sectors both domestically and internationally.
You have important investments and activities not only in Türkiye but also abroad. Could you tell us about your latest work with ABB Electric license in Saudi Arabia and your production process there?
We have participated in various mining facility projects in the last two years in cooperation with ABB Electric in Saudi Arabia. We currently have a 12-month project that we are about to complete. Throughout this process, we have had the opportunity to closely observe the dynamics and potential of the country. Saudi Arabia swiftly makes decisions in both human and industrial domains, implementing reforms and undertaking extensive activities to integrate these reforms with the country’s dynamics and European standards. This transformation, once unimaginable years ago, has generated a positive energy throughout the country.
The country is swiftly forging strong relations and commitments in its foreign affairs, particularly with Gulf countries and subsequently with Türkiye. Simultaneously, it has established clear visions and targets for domestic policy spanning 2025, 2030, and 2050. As these goals begin to materialize, incorporating radical changes and projects, they both surprise and impress people. Starting from 2025, the ‘Made in Saudi’ label is targeted in almost every production sector. With this target in mind, the aim is to rapidly boost production and employment of a skilled workforce, with expectations of gradual restrictions on imports being introduced.
In addition to these overarching changes, focusing on activities within our own field, Saudi Arabia stands out as a country with the world’s largest gold reserves, and it possesses significant reserves in other mining areas such as cobalt and zinc. Licenses have been granted and continue to be issued for the extraction and processing of these reserves, even years later. Currently, we supply electrical systems from Türkiye to several companies operating in this field and provide installation and commissioning services in production areas. With the aim of establishing a business in Saudi Arabia, we took steps to become a local company under the “Made in Saudi” initiative and Saudization program. In line with this direction, we secured a five-year production license and established ECF Branch Company, wholly owned by ECF Türkiye, along with opening an office in Dammam Al Khobar. We are presently in the process of establishing a production facility spanning an area of 3000 m2 in a local OIZ. This facility aims to produce in accordance with country standards, especially ABB Electrical Panels. Additionally, we plan to manufacture steel prefabricated electrical rooms known as E-House, which are extensively used, especially in mining facilities. These prefabricated rooms offer high operational safety, providing insulation, and air conditioning to safeguard against external factors. Our goal is to secure a share in the industry and establish ourselves as a major player in a sustainable manner.
Which of your applications and services are mostly preferred in the cement and mining sectors? At this point, what are the reasons for them preferring you?
Investments in the cement and mining industries are projects that demand exceptionally high capital. Employers now prioritize investments that not only boast high-capacity production volumes but also adhere to occupational health and safety standards, minimize environmental impacts, exhibit high-energy efficiency, are easily manageable as a business, can swiftly adapt to additional expansion or renewal investments when necessary, and are both safe and sustainable. Employers who can make these decisions wisely, investing in technology while prioritizing sustainability and environmental goals in equipment selection, should ensure that these systems are not only supplied but also installed in a timely and comprehensive manner by companies with proper engineering, project design, and experience, where occupational safety is paramount, therefore recognizing the significance of commissioning. In the ever-changing economic dynamics of our country and the world, selecting the right project at the right time stands as one of the most critical factors influencing the planned costs of the investment.
Employers, recognizing our adept management of these processes, prefer us based on our experience and the communication skills of our colleagues. This makes us preferable for like-minded investors. The fact that the same employers have repeatedly chosen us in the past for various matters is both a source of pride and a validation that we are on the right path. As ECF, through the fusion of our expertise in electrical systems with years of experience, we have evolved into a company equipped with knowledge in process mechanics and operations. This enables us to offer ongoing solutions, explore alternatives, and provide accurate guidance, benefiting not only our own development but also the companies we collaborate with.
In the ever-changing economic dynamics of our country and the world, selecting the right project at the right time stands as one of the most critical factors influencing the planned costs of the investment.
You have projects and services that comply with energy efficiency regulations and sustainability studies. What are you doing about zero carbon emissions and energy efficiency, which are especially on the agenda of the cement industry?
We continuously monitor activities aimed at improving, refining, and boosting the efficiency of the cement process. In this regard, we are greatly intrigued by both new and ongoing applications conducted domestically and internationally. We consistently evaluate our past actions, explore potential options in this field and adapt them to our practices. Similarly, we persist in our efforts to raise awareness among our colleagues and subsequently among our customers.
The cement sector extensively utilizes electricity and coal energy, resulting in direct or indirect emissions. Cement producers in Türkiye are aware of this issue and are developing solutions individually or in collaboration As ECF, we carry out activities on projects, designs and equipment selection for new facilities and work to increase energy optimization and efficiency in existing facilities. The zero-carbon target is a crucial agenda item within the sector, and efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and enhance energy efficiency are of paramount importance in achieving this goal. The issue of decarbonization significantly influences technological advancements in the sector, prompting the development of sustainable solutions spanning from energy production to consumption. These studies raise awareness in the sector for both employees and producers. At this point, we can also progress very quickly in our activities and together we can advance by sharing the goals and responsibilities of the sector.
What technologies do you think await us in the next phase of decarbonization efforts?
Decarbonization is a broad and important topic that spans all sectors and activities. Aligned with the fundamental principles of physics and natural laws, which dictate, “energy cannot be created from nothing, and created energy cannot be destroyed,” our objective is to generate and utilize energy without causing harm to nature. Two critical parameters in the cement industry are the utilization of fossil fuels for generating electricity and providing heat. By sourcing electricity from renewable energy and utilizing this electrical energy to achieve our targeted heat requirements, we move closer to the zero-emission goal. Technological developments in the sector are progressing in this direction. Medium temperature levels have been attained, and they have started being utilized in some European facilities. At this stage, as studies for high temperatures continue, significant advancements are anticipated in this field. Other technologies encompass systems designed to either replace consumed energy or even generate surplus energy. During this process, investments in renewable energy (such as solar and wind) and technologies facilitating energy recovery from waste heat are being developed within the sector. As advancements in harnessing energy from the surface area of solar panels persist, new alternative technologies are being developed to enhance the efficiency of waste heat power plants, which traditionally exhibit low efficiency values.
Will you work in different locations internationally in the future, as in the example of Saudi Arabia?
Yes, our companies are still officially operational in our established locations in Africa, where we have previously undertaken extensive work. However, following the pandemic, we suspended our operations in our officially established businesses. As the demand for elements like cobalt, nickel, chromium, and lithium rises with the advancement of battery technology and increased production volume, there are capacity expansions in existing mines and new mine investments being made. There are currently rapidly growing investments in this field in Africa. We strive to be the electrical systems contractor of these facilities. In the long term, we aim to participate in process development activities. Hence, we are planning to reactivate our African locations by the end of the year.
Could you tell us about the structuring of the recently established EFC Energy? What kind of services will you offer under this company?
ECF Energy was established in the second half of 2023. ECF Engineering has been operating in the energy sector for a long time. ECF Engineering, primarily active in the industrial sector, initiated its operations with the goal of evolving into a provider of energy production, decarbonization, production planning, and procedural services through the establishment of ECF Energy. Salih Dadaşoğlu, the founding partner and General Manager of the company, brings his 25 years of sectorial experience to bear through the organization he has built under this roof. ECF Energy provides services under main headings such as EPC Services, Energy Efficiency Management, and Energy Trading and Consultancy services.
In terms of EPC services, we carry out:
– Waste Heat Cogeneration Facilities, project design, installation, commissioning and maintenance services of SPP Projects,
– Under Energy Trade and Consultancy Services, we offer consultancy in Energy Supply License Acquisition, Energy Monitoring, Forecasting, Invoice Analysis, and Reporting Services, IREC-Renewable Energy Certification, Carbon Credits transactions, and certification services to end consumers, TEİAŞ Demand Side Management services, and Energy Investment Consultancy.
– Under the Energy Efficiency Management Service, we offer Energy Efficiency Consultancy Services, Detailed Energy Audit Services, and Efficiency Enhancement Project (VAP) Consultancy Services.
ECF Energy’s primary mission and goal are to contribute to leaving a clean environment for future generations by utilizing sustainable energy resources in the most efficient manner possible in a world where energy demand is on the rise. We strive to add value tosociety and the environment by delivering reliable, sustainable, and innovative energy solutions to our customers and our aim is to cultivate long-term partnerships with stakeholders, and we dedicate all our efforts towards this objective. We are fully confident that with our innovation and quality-oriented approach, we will play a leading role in the global green energy transformation.
What are your goals and strategies as a company for the coming period?
The primary goal at ECF has always been to contribute more to the welfare and development of our employees. We have accomplished the goals we set over the past 12 years, thanks to the determination, dedication, and astute work of our employees, who have persevered despite evolving circumstances and changing conditions. Therefore, I want to thank them once again. This success fills us with hope and motivation as we look towards the future and strive towards our goals.
As an engineering company, our commitment targets include being the main contractor in matters such as engineering, project, construction, mechanical, and electrical systems, with our employees having a 12-year company history and an average of 25 years of experience. In this regard, we have identified the companies with which we will establish cooperation agreements. We aim to realize turnkey projects especially in the waste heat energy production and mining sectors domestically and internationally.
We aim to become a significant producer and player in the Middle East, positioning ourselves among the top three largest companies in Türkiye. This year, alongside our existing partnership with ABB Electrical Panel division, we have also signed a partnership agreement to manufacture drawer and smart system panels known as SenPlus Form 4b, marking the first production of its kind in Türkiye. These panels are designed with high standards in terms of occupational safety, security, and control and are generally used in Petroleum and Mining facilities. Currently, our efforts towards accreditation and structuring of production lines are ongoing.
