In order to secure to generate nearly 30% of the total energy demand for its cement plant in the northwestern province of Çanakkale, Turkey’s biggest cement producer Akçansa, a subsidiary of Sabanci Holding, has opened a WHR plant at a cost of nearly US$24 million.
HeidelbergCement, the company’s German partner, is targeting more investment in the Turkish cement market, according to executives present during a ceremony at the plant.
“This investment will generate approximately 105 million kWh in one year, meeting 30% of the cement plant’s needs in Çanakkale,” said Zafer Kurtul, Sabanci Holding’s chief executive, at the opening ceremony of the WHR plant.
“It will prevent nearly 60 000 t of carbon emissions each year,” Kurtul said. Noting that the country needs to slash its current account deficit, which is largely due to energy imports, he added: “We should have more such plants.”
After 15 years of partnering with Sabanci, HeidelbergCement is targeting more investments in Turkey, according to the company’s Board Chairman Bernd Scheifele, speaking to the press on the sidelines of the meeting. “Turkey and Germany are economically growing in Europe and we are interested in more investments together with Sabanci,” he said.