Fatih Arıcan / Founder and Chairman of the Board
Yapıchem Kimya Sanayi
“The construction chemicals industry has the potential to transform this challenging period into an opportunity, driven by the growing demand for innovative and sustainability-focused solutions. Specifically, the rising awareness of green buildings, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly materials is fostering the development of new products and applications within the sector. At Yapıchem, throughout 2024, we remained committed to investing in our R&D efforts and crafting sustainable, innovative products, despite the cost pressures stemming from economic fluctuations.”
The construction chemicals industry continues to grow every year. What is the size and volume of the sector in general? What is your general position as a company in this sector?
The construction chemicals sector has become an integral component of the construction industry, with market size expanding alongside the growing diversity of chemical products used. Based on the 2022 data from the European Federation of Concrete Admixture Manufacturers (EFCA), Türkiye is the leading nation in Europe with an additive market totaling 545 thousand tons. This is an indication of how important a role Türkiye has in the construction chemicals industry.
As Yapıchem, we are an important player in this growing market. Our company is renowned for its innovative product development capabilities, commitment to quality service, and customer-oriented approach. Our dedication to customer satisfaction and our reliability within the industry have strengthened our position in the market. Furthermore, through ongoing investments in our R&D studies, we uphold our vision of pioneering innovations within the sector and strive to deliver environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions that align closely with our customers’ needs. This approach is among the main factors that strengthen Yapıchem’s general position in the sector and make its presence in the market permanent.
What are the special solutions you offer for the concrete, cement and construction industries? Do you market these solutions abroad?
As Yapıchem, we are dedicated to meeting the sector’s demands through our special solutions, extensive product range, and innovative approaches tailored specifically for the concrete, cement, and construction sectors. Our products have the capability to address even the most demanding requirements of our customers, providing solutions applicable across all stages of construction projects.
As for the solutions we provide, our Arstep, Degaset, Arset, Arcem, and Yapıfine brands offer a diverse range of products, including new-generation superplasticizers, strength enhancers, grinding aids, and chromium reducers. Furthermore, our products extend to construction chemicals such as waterproofing systems, structural repair and reinforcement materials, specialized solutions for floor systems, mold release agents, mortar additives, ceramic adhesives, joint fillers, and thermal insulation systems.
We provide this extensive and special range of solutions not only to domestic markets but also to international markets. Our sales abroad enhance the quality of our products and contribute to the recognition of Yapıchem brands in the international arena. By strengthening relationships with our customers in global markets, we continuously enhance our ability to provide solutions for the diverse needs of the international construction industry, which allows us to effectively market our innovative products worldwide. In doing so, we uphold Türkiye’s innovation and quality standards within the construction and construction chemicals industry on the international stage.
As Yapıchem, we are dedicated to meeting the sector’s demands through our special solutions, extensive product range, and innovative approaches tailored specifically for the concrete, cement, and construction sectors. Our products have the capability to address even the most demanding requirements of our customers, providing solutions applicable across all stages of construction projects.
Could you tell us about the research, development, and production stages of your products? Is production carried out entirely with domestic capital?
As Yapıchem, we are a company with 100% domestic capital. We are driven by the vision of developing more cost-effective and highperformance chemical additives, using Türkiye’s existing resources. In this regard, while delivering quality service to our customers, we also contribute to the Turkish economy by generating foreign currency inflow. For this reason, we have consistently prioritized R&D and P&D since our establishment. The value-added products we gain through this approach are immensely valuable in terms of transforming knowledge into economic value, benefiting both our company and our country.
We are among the foremost companies in Türkiye, particularly in the production of Polycarboxylates (PCE), which serve as the fundamental components of next-generation concrete additives. By opting for domestic production in this field, we diminish dependence on foreign sources and bolster our country’s economy. We also make a difference in the market with some semi-finished products we develop. In addition, we have five new product development projects that received TÜBİTAK support. We constantly strengthen our R&D studies through joint projects we carry out in cooperation with KOSGEB and various universities. These collaborations strengthen our resolve to introduce innovations to the industry and play a part in fostering a sustainable future.
We continuously strengthen our position in the sector and pursue our goal of sustainable growth through a competitive and innovative approach that is attuned to market demands. As Yapıchem, our aim is to uphold our leadership in the sector and represent our country’s capabilities globally in the field of construction chemicals and we firmly believe in the strength of domestic production and Türkiye’s potential.
Many sectors are currently facing challenging times due to the global, regional, and local economic conditions. What is the general situation in the construction chemicals industry? How is the year 2024 going for you within this structure?
Main issues affecting the construction chemicals industry include economic fluctuations worldwide, supply chain disruptions, and foreign currency fluctuations. However, the sector demonstrates a relatively resilient structure against these fluctuations, given its provision of essential materials that construction projects consistently require.
The construction chemicals industry has the potential to transform this challenging period into an opportunity, driven by the growing demand for innovative and sustainability-focused solutions. Specifically, the rising awareness of green buildings, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly materials is fostering the development of new products and applications within the sector.
At Yapıchem, throughout 2024, we remained committed to investing in our R&D efforts and creating sustainable, innovative products, despite the cost pressures stemming from economic fluctuations. By closely monitoring changes in both local and global markets, we focus on optimizing our supply chain management, which allows us to offer quicker and more adaptable solutions to meet customer needs effectively.
As Yapıchem, despite the challenges we encountered in 2024, we are resolute in strengthening our position in the sector and advancing our strategies for sustainable growth in the future. We remain committed to offering effective solutions to the present and future challenges encountered by the construction industry through our innovative and environmentally friendly products.
As Yapıchem Kimya Sanayi, sustainability stands out as an important topic in the sectors you serve. What is your philosophy and approach in this field? What kind of solutions, applications, and products do you offer?
As Yapıchem Kimya Sanayi, we are aware that sustainability in our industry is not only a goal but also a responsibility. The building and construction sector, both globally and within our country, has a considerable influence on environmental, social, and economic sustainable development. Hence, as a sector, we need to take proactive measures in reducing our carbon footprint, accelerating green transformation, embracing sustainable practices, and adapting to climate change.
In 2023, Yapıchem significantly intensified its R&D efforts and sustainability-focused initiatives. We conducted extensive research on additives aimed at reducing carbon emissions within the cement and concrete industries. We shape our road map in accordance with national strategic goals and the priorities set by the European Union’s Green Deal Industrial Plan. In this context, we continue with our R&D studies aimed at contributing to the green transformation and sustainability objectives of our industrial sector.
We have based our strategy on developing innovative solutions that will minimize our environmental impact, maximize our energy efficiency, and make our use of natural resources more effective. Our goal is to make a difference with our new products, striving to add value not only to our customers but also to the environment and society. In line with this vision, we have allocated a large part of our R&D budget to develop sustainable and innovative products. Our particular focus lies on concrete additives that promote the utilization of construction waste generated within urban transformation projects and the incorporation of recycled materials. Additionally, we emphasize cement additives produced with low clinker rates, which significantly reduce carbon emissions.
We continuously strengthen our position in the sector and pursue our goal of sustainable growth through a competitive and innovative approach that is attuned to market demands.
Significant changes are taking place in the concrete, cement, and construction sectors due to digitalization and industry 4.0. What awaits these sectors in the coming period? What kind of changes do you foresee?
The impact of digitalization and Industry 4.0 on these sectors is truly revolutionary. This transformation enables projects to be carried out more efficiently, cost-effectively and sustainably. In particular, advances in smart materials, 3D printing technologies, big data analytics, and sustainability are profoundly shaping the future of the industry.
In the coming period, the increased utilization of 3D printing technologies in the construction field will enable the construction of more cost and time-efficient structures. Additionally, thanks to selfhealing materials such as smart concrete, the lifespan of buildings will be extended and maintenance costs will be reduced. The use of big data and analytics tools will enable projects to be planned and managed more precisely. The importance of sustainability and green construction practices will increase. Energy-efficient materials, zero waste strategies, and material recycling will facilitate the industry’s transition towards a more sustainable direction. With the increasing importance of green building materials and energyefficient designs, environmentally friendly construction practices will also become the standard in the industry.
To successfully implement these changes, companies and employees in the sector must adapt to new technologies and restructure their business processes. The upcoming period presents significant opportunities for companies that take bold strides in this field and invest in innovative solutions.
What kind of structure do you have regarding sales and marketing? How much importance do you place on digitalization in these areas?
We have a strong structure in sales and marketing. We own a sales team comprised of seasoned and expert individuals, with a focus on customer satisfaction.
We place significant emphasis on digitalization and continually invest in new technologies within this field. Furthermore, we use digital tools such as data analytics and reporting to analyze market trends and customer behavior. This data is then utilized to optimize our strategies effectively.
What are your general goals and strategies for the coming period?
Our main goal is to sustain our successful performance, aiming for an annual turnover increase of over 50% in 2023 and further enhance our growth. We plan to increase our production capacity and product diversity by investing in a new factory by the end of 2025 at the latest. Additionally, prioritizing the increase of our export share in turnover stands as one of our primary goals.
As a company, we always attach great importance to R&D studies. In this context, we are conducting intensive studies on additive chemicals aimed at reducing carbon emissions within the concrete industries. In the upcoming period, our aim is to conclude these studies and introduce to the market our products designed to reduce carbon emissions. However, we are currently involved as one of the stakeholder companies in a significant R&D project related to sustainability, which greatly excites us. We will continue to take an active role in sustainability-oriented, innovative, and value-added projects.
