Sisecam To Invest In Port Management with Ciner Group In The USA
Sisecam plans to make a port investment in California together with Ciner Group to meet the logistics needs of its natural soda ash investment in the USA. Sisecam Chemicals USA will become a 50% shareholder of Denmar US LLC, an entity that will operate the Stockton Port Management Project. Under this project, a logistics infrastructure is planned to facilitate future export activities from Sisecam’s ongoing soda ash investment in the United States.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman, Sisecam Chairman and Executive Member of the Board of Directors, delivered a statement regarding this strategic investment decision that will support Sisecam’s ongoing natural soda ash investment in the USA to reach export targets: “In 2021, we announced our decision to strengthen our presence in the USA in the field of natural soda ash. The growing natural soda ash market and steadily increasing demand clearly demonstrates that this was the right decision. Today, natural soda ash production is one of Sisecam’s most profitable business areas. We are planning a gradual commissioning of the 5-million-ton annual capacity of natural soda from the Pacific Project, which is currently underway and on schedule for completion gradually by 2028. At that time, the total production capacity of the Sisecam-Ciner partnership in the USA will climb to 7.5 million tons per year. Multi-port access is key to reducing the cost of accessing international markets, facilitating management of the operation, and eliminating risks arising from the supply chain. As a result, we decided to partner with the California-based Stockton Port Management Project, for which Denmar US LLC has already completed the required permit and license process. The Stockton Port Management Project is planned to expand its annual capacity from 3 million tons in 2027 to 5 million tons by 2029.”
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman stated that three main strategic factors support this investment decision: “The new port operation will provide the necessary logistics infrastructure for the export activities of Sisecam’s USA natural soda ash investment. Sisecam’s multi-port strategy is designed to secure our supply chain operations and ensure flexibility for the company in highly uncertain global markets. The port investment will also lower our logistics costs. Necessary permits and licenses have already been obtained which will facilitate faster and healthier execution of the project. Sisecam Chemicals USA will become a 50% partner of Denmar US LLC, which is 100% owned by Denmar Holdings LLC, via a capital increase in exchange for USD 12 million.”
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kırman continued: “Today, uncertainties cause business plans to change constantly. In response to this volatile environment, companies must take continuous steps to review their growth targets and address any potential obstacles they may face. Sisecam is solidifying its sustainable success with visionary and prudent steps forward. In 2022, we acquired Refel, a refractory manufacturer in Italy, to ensure the sustainability of our investments. We are now taking a similar step with our port operation investment in California, which will secure our growth plans in the USA. Every investment we make supports the growth of our existing business lines. Every new business area we enter strengthens our global growth strategy.”
Sisecam to become the world’s largest soda ash producer
Sisecam’s investment history in soda ash in the USA dates back to 2019. Having made the strategic decision to expand its global footprint in natural soda ash production, Sisecam signed a 50-50% partnership contract with Ciner Group to establish a new natural soda ash production facility in the USA in 2019. During the 2-year partnership, the environmentally friendly and sustainable nature of natural soda became apparent while soda ash demand grew rapidly as expected. These highly favorable dynamics prompted Sisecam to further boost its investments in this promising business area and bolster its presence in the huge US market. In 2021, Sisecam increased its stake in the Pacific Project from 50% to 60%. Sisecam also decided to expand its partnership area and become a shareholder with 60% stake in the Wyoming facility, which it continues to manage in the USA. In addition, Sisecam shook hands to assume a 60% share in the Atlantic Project, which was fully owned by Ciner Group, another initiative planned for the production of natural soda ash. Today, Sisecam is one of the three largest soda producers in the world. Thanks to its natural soda investment in the US, Sisecam is poised to become the world’s largest soda ash producer. With the US investment’s phased completion scheduled for 2028, Sisecam will have a global soda ash production capacity of over 10 million tons under its management by that year.
About Sisecam
Sisecam was founded in 1935 to establish Turkey’s glass industry in line with the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a great leader respected worldwide. Today, Sisecam is a major global player in the fields of glass and chemicals. Sisecam is the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production – including flat glass, glassware, glass packaging and glass fiber. Currently, Sisecam ranks among the world’s top two manufacturers of glassware and the top five producers of glass packaging and flat glass. Sisecam is one of the three largest soda ash producers in the world and the world leader in chromium chemicals.
Sisecam plays a leading role in the flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, automotive, glass fiber, mining, energy and recycling business lines. Sisecam operates production facilities in Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russian Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India, and the USA in addition to Turkey.
Sisecam is taking major steps towards its goal of becoming one of the world’s top three manufacturers in its main fields of activity. Driven forward by its highly competent human resources and smart technologies, Sisecam is continuously transforming its digital infrastructure and corporate culture taking into account the needs of the future. With 88 years of experience and more than 24,000 employees, Sisecam conducts production activities in 14 countries on four continents and operates a sales network in more than 150 countries worldwide. Sisecam is moving forward on its growth journey in line with its Global Excellence strategy and powered by an inclusive approach that supports the development of its entire ecosystem. Sisecam takes responsibility for protecting the planet, empowering society and transforming life with its CareForNext strategy, which is compliant with and centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Sisecam uses all its experience and competencies to promote sustainable development in every aspect.
