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“In recent years, we have all witnessed how quickly globalization can be disrupted, and how vital resilient supply chains have become for national economies. Our investment in the Ceyhan Polypropylene Plant and its integrated terminal is a response to this reality,” says Rönesans’ founder and president emeritus, Erman Ilıcak. 

Ceyhan’s logistics edge 

The site’s proximity to key downstream production centers coupled with the availability of key infrastructure within the DAPEK industrial zone, maximizes logistical advantages for both domestic use and exports thanks to the on-site facilities. 

Focusing on sustainable, long-term growth and impact rather than rapid expansion, the team has taken significant steps to reduce Turkey’s vulnerability to global short-term price volatilities and supply chain disruptions, while also supporting the growth of its downstream manufacturing sector. Looking further ahead, the project is expected to catalyze broader industrial development within the DAPEK-organized industrial zone.  

International partnerships and robust financing 

Delivering a plant and terminal of this scale required considerable financial resources and technical expertise. The project team successfully secured funding from a consortium of international lenders, amounting to a $1.3 billion loan for a total investment of $2 billion. These achievements reflect international confidence in the project and underscore the importance of strong partnerships with global technology providers and engineering firms. 

The project employed advanced production techniques and strict safety protocols through a collaborative investment model, ensuring the facility meets the highest international standards while remaining agile amidst a changing global landscape. Ilıcak added, “The international partnerships and financing behind the projects represent a key industrial development model that balances global collaboration with local expertise.” 

Sustainability and innovation at the core 

Importantly, industrial development cannot come at the cost of the environment; modern plants must reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible. The Ceyhan plant’s technology prioritizes low-carbon production and resource efficiency, using hydrogen generated as a by-product to eliminate fossil fuel consumption. The facility is committed to transitioning to 100% renewable electricity, further enhancing its environmental credentials and long-term impact. Independent experts estimate the plant will produce just one-third as much carbon per ton of polypropylene as its nearest European competitor.  

These innovations are not only environmentally responsible but also strategically sound from a business perspective. The low-carbon footprint will help the facility to stay ahead of the competition as global markets increasingly prioritize low-carbon products and sustainable production.  

Catalyzing local and national growth 

Expected to generate a substantial number of jobs both during construction and long-term operations, the project will also foster advanced manufacturing skills and expertise boosting the local economy and bolstering Turkey’s industrial self-sufficiency and resilience. Once operational, these investments will directly contribute $300 million annually to reducing Turkey's current account deficit; while also reducing the polypropylene imports by 472,500 tons annually, corresponding to c. 17% of national consumption.

The project’s success centers on its effective assembly of a global network of partners, seamless technology transfer, and adoption of best-in-class standards combined with growing local talent and skills.  

A blueprint for international collaboration 

The Ceyhan Polypropylene Plant is more than a new facility; it serves as an inspirational case study in how strategic investment, collaborative partnerships, and innovation can transform a nation’s industrial landscape. As supply chains shift toward regionalization and sustainability becomes a central economic priority, the projects provide valuable insights into how to achieve sustainable growth amidst a shifting global economic landscape. 

With coordinated policy support, innovative financing mechanisms, and incentives for import substitution and export growth, Turkey has the potential to replicate the success of the Ceyhan project across other strategic sectors. The project demonstrates how emerging markets can attract high-quality international investment by focusing on business fundamentals: clear market demand, credible partnerships, and a commitment to innovation. In an era of shifting global supply chains and rising protectionism, this collaborative model presents a compelling and sustainable alternative.  

As Ilıcak concludes: “The world is continuing to adapt to new patterns of trade and production. We believe that combining international partnerships, advanced technology, environmental responsibility, and strong local expertise will be key to sustainable growth. Not just for Turkey, but for the region as a whole”.

Providing insights into DAPEK and the Ceyhan PDH PP Project, which began in 2019, Dr Ilıcak said: “The 1,350-hectare Industrial Zone in Ceyhan was selected for its coastal location and proximity to the market. Taking inspiration from the Port of Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the Netherlands, we created an integrated concept combining an industrial zone and a port. We developed a comprehensive master plan for the storage and port facilities. We integrated port, railway and pipeline infrastructure into the zone, marking a major step towards establishing the Eastern Mediterranean’s logistics and industrial hub across a 250-hectare site.”

With a total investment of $2 billion, these strategic projects aim to increase Türkiye’s industrial self-sufficiency, reduce foreign dependency, and enhance the country’s position in global trade.

Dr. Erman Ilıcak, Honorary President of Rönesans Holding, said: “Once operational, these projects will directly contribute USD 300 million annually to Türkiye's trade balance.”

Rönesans Holding recently announced that it has secured total of $1.3 billion in financing for these projects –from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Spain’s Export Credit Agency (Cesce).

Dr. Ilıcak highlighted the group’s longstanding role in advancing Türkiye’s economy through value-added projects: “Our story began with international contracting services. To date, we have undertaken projects worth a total of USD 50 billion. Seventy per cent of this, approximately USD 35 billion, was carried out abroad, and we have pioneered many firsts in the world in this field. We have worked on a wide range of projects, from Europe's longest tunnel to its tallest building, from the world's largest GTG facility to the world’s largest seismically isolated building. Following this, we became a large-scale investment holding company operating in real estate, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and more recently, industrial facilities. Over the past 15 years, with the significant contributions of stakeholders such as the World Bank's investment arm IFC and the EBRD, we have structured our business in line with sustainable development goals.”

He continued: “Our model is centred on developing the right project with the right partners, and delivering it at the right time. We have successfully implemented this model with partners such as Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, Meridiam Infrastructure from France, Japan’s Sojitz, Samsung C&T, and TotalEnergies. Together, we have completed $10 billion worth of investments in Türkiye. These initiatives have laid the foundation for broader transformation, and we will continue to focus on projects that help reduce our country’s trade gap.”

Ceyhan Projects Developed with Expertise from 12 Countries

Reflecting on shifting global economic trends, Dr. Ilıcak said: “Protectionism is increasing, and supply chains are being reshaped. Energy and production are becoming localised. This transformation holds significant opportunities for countries like ours. In particular, strategic heavy industry investments are needed to reduce the foreign trade deficit arising due to imports of industrial machinery, plastics and chemicals, as well as industrial and precious metals. Over the past 10 years, industrial investments totalling approximately USD 20 billion have been made in Türkiye, including projects worth over USD 500 million. But this is not enough...”

He further emphasised: “To close the gap, Türkiye needs to allocate at least $12 billion annually over the next five years, totalling $60 billion. If an investment initiative of this scale is undertaken, we could see a USD 15 billion annual increase in GDP and a USD 10 billion reduction in the foreign trade deficit. At Rönesans Holding, we have secured international financing for our Ceyhan Polypropylene Production Facility and Liquid Bulk Terminal investments, totalling USD 2 billion, which serve this very purpose. The construction of these projects, developed in collaboration with expert solution partners from 12 countries, are ongoing. Once operational, these investments will directly contribute USD 300 million annually to Türkiye's trade balance.”

Attracting Foreign Investment Through Strong Partnerships

Dr. Ilıcak also reflected on the importance of international collaborations: “Perhaps the most challenging project we undertook with the EBRD was Türkiye's transformation in healthcare. The EBRD shared its expertise from around the world. As a result, Türkiye was able to attract USD 15 billion in financing from abroad and carry out its healthcare transformation. We also worked with the IFC for many years on project financing. In difficult conditions, IFC has always stood by our side. We have formed company partnerships with them. Most recently, we have been developing a PPP hospital in Kazakhstan together. In every project we have undertaken, the first question they asked was, 'What will be the social impact of this?' Profitability was always the last topic. Those are the reasons why I am grateful to both banks.”

He concluded: “Our relations with Central Asian countries, in particular, have developed substantially. Then, our ties with African countries began to strengthen. Today, Türkiye has become a hub that serves a population ten times its own, meeting needs such as healthcare and education. We closely follow these developments and ensure that growing diplomatic relations are also reflected in trade. We are working to support the progress of Türkiye's industrialisation initiative. We secure financing from abroad to carry out our projects wherever possible instead of using our country's limited resources.”