The Aluminum Industry in Turkey

Aluminum, the second most produced metal in the world after steel, was discovered in Turkey in the 1940s through the efforts of the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA). With the initiatives of MTA, the aluminum industry in Turkey, which began in the late period, has grown to a market size of 4 billion dollars today. In 2015, Turkey made significant progress by reaching an export rate of 2.3 billion dollars in the global aluminum market. Looking at the world as a whole, our country is in an importing position in the primary aluminum market, but the use of aluminum in various sectors is increasing. So, how did the aluminum adventure begin in Turkey?

As we mentioned at the beginning of our article, aluminum reserves in Turkey were discovered through bauxite exploration studies carried out by MTA in the 1940s. According to 2010 data worldwide, bauxite reserves were announced as 38 billion tons and it is known that 87% of these reserves are located in ten countries. In Turkey, bauxite reserves are 68.91 million tons according to MTA data, which corresponds to 0.18% of world reserves.

Aluminum is not found freely in nature. The most important raw material for aluminum, which is found in a compound (oxide) form, is bauxite. The bauxite reserves used in primary aluminum production in Turkey have been announced as 68.91 million tons according to MTA data, and the locations of these reserves are listed as follows:

Seydişehir - Akseki
Muğla - Milas - Yatağan
Tufanbeyli - Saimbeyli
Zonguldak - Kokaksu
Yalvaç - Şarkikarağaç
İslahiye - Payas
Bolkardağı - Mersin
Alanya

Aluminum Factories in Turkey

Although there are aluminum reserves in 8 different regions in Turkey, the only integrated facility that can produce aluminum from ore and manufacture the final product from the mine is Eti Aluminum Inc. located in Seydişehir. These fields, where the aluminum content is found to be more than 50%, were transferred to Etibank from MTA in 1965 to be operated, and Eti Aluminum Integrated Facilities with liquid aluminum (primary) capacity were established in Seydişehir through an agreement signed with Tyazprom Export on May 9, 1967.

The Eti Aluminum Integrated Facilities were established with an annual capacity of 60 thousand tons of liquid aluminum. The first alumina in the facilities was produced in 1973, and the first primary aluminum was produced in 1974. By 1979, the foundry and rolling mill units were put into operation. The facility, which reached 100% capacity in 1977 but was reduced to 50% capacity due to energy problems in the process, resumed full-capacity production in 1985. In 2005, the Eti Aluminum Facilities were privatized and sold to Cengiz Holding, and with the modernization works carried out, the facility has now reached an annual capacity of 82 thousand tons. Today, Eti Aluminum meets 10% of Turkey's aluminum needs.

How Much Aluminum is Produced in Turkey?

Aluminum production in Turkey is around 1.4 million tons. It is known that 1,500 companies operate in the aluminum sector, which has reached a size of 6 billion dollars and employs 30,000 people. The production capacity at Eti Aluminum factory in Turkey, which obtains aluminum from ore, can be shared as follows:

Bauxite Processing: 500,000 tons/year
Aluminum Hydroxide (Moist): 340,000 tons/year
Dry Aluminum Hydroxide: 13,600 tons/year
Etifine (Special Hydrate): 3,600 tons/year
Alumina: 200,000 tons/year
Primary Aluminum: 105,000 tons/year
Casting Products: 150,243 tons/year

From Which Countries Does Turkey Import Aluminum?

In 2018, Turkey imported 2.55 billion dollars worth of aluminum. This figure elevated our country to seventh place in the world. Almost all of our primary aluminum needs are met through imports, and approximately 75% of our total aluminum imports consist of primary aluminum products.

Turkey imports 17.43% of its primary aluminum from Russia. India follows with a share of 14.98%, and Malaysia with a share of 8.58%. Aluminum imports from the European Union (EU) are at the 1% level. As the development of the aluminum industry in Turkey continues, the market is growing, and our country, which is a net importer of primary aluminum, also needs to increase its demand.