The projects to be implemented in the "SASA Polyester Sanayi AŞ Yumurtalık Special Industrial Zone" in Yumurtalık comprise a polypropylene production facility with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons, a refinery with a capacity of 13 million tons, and an integrated port.
SASA Polyester Sanayi AŞ aims to provide added value in the petrochemical sector with the facilities planned for the area declared as a "special industrial zone" in Yumurtalık, Adana, with an investment of $25 billion.
With a decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, an area of 5.5 million square meters was declared as the "SASA Polyester Sanayi AŞ Yumurtalık Special Industrial Zone" on August 16, published in the Official Gazette.

In the first phase of the projects to be implemented in the region in 3 stages, there will be a polypropylene production facility with a capacity of 1.2 million tons (a durable plastic raw material used in packaging, textiles, and automotive) and a refinery with an annual capacity of 13 million tons integrated with a port.

Construction works in the region, where SASA Polyester Industry Inc. plans to invest 25 billion dollars for the projects, will start in the first or second quarter of 2026.

"Our goal is to produce high value-added products"

Mehmet Şeker, member of the Board of Directors of SASA Polyester Sanayi AŞ, told AA reporter that the announcement regarding the investments in petrochemical and refinery facilities, as well as the port project, with a total investment value of 25 billion dollars, was published on the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) on August 18.

Şeker stated that aromatic chemical products imported by Turkey will be produced in the facilities.
Emphasizing the importance of raw material production during the COVID-19 period, Şeker said, "Our main goal is to produce raw materials and high value-added products. We want to increase our exports while reducing imports and foreign dependency. We have embarked on this journey for that purpose. Hopefully, we will be successful."

Şeker, stating that they are trying to contribute to the country's economy with new investments, said:
"Turkey has imports of more than 20 billion dollars in aromatic chemicals, and it also needs approximately 2.5 million tons of polypropylene annually. Here, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and paraxylene, the raw material of polyester, will be produced. By producing these products from naphtha and condensate oil, we will prevent chemical imports. Our purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production at SASA started as 4 thousand 800 tons per day and approximately 1 million 750 thousand tons per year. We used to import it, now we don't. After the investment in Yumurtalık, we will no longer import paraxylene, which is the raw material of PTA."




"When the facility is commissioned, it will enable us to prevent imports of 6-7 billion dollars"

Stating that they export to the USA, Europe, Africa, and Far Eastern countries, Şeker said, "With these new products, we will have reduced Turkey’s imports to a certain degree. We will produce the products needed in the domestic market and export the remaining parts to various countries around the world. When the facility starts operation in 4 years, it will enable us to prevent imports ranging from 6-7 billion dollars. Some companies in Turkey will manufacture new products from the raw materials we produce. This place, namely Yumurtalık, will be a massive chemical industry zone in 10-15 years, contributing seriously to both Adana and the Mediterranean Region."

Şeker, who stated that they currently employ approximately 5,000 people within SASA, said, "With the new project, we are considering employing between 8,000 to 10,000 people during the construction of the facilities, and finally between 2,500 to 3,000 people." Şeker noted that negotiations are ongoing with relevant government organizations and international companies for the realization of the projects.

News Source: AA