Turkey to debut 4 new domestic boron products on Friday

- Demand for 'BORON' product has been high since its launch in Jan. 25, Turkish energy minister says

Turkey will introduce four new domestically-produced boron detergent products with the brand name BORON on Friday in Istanbul, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said on Wednesday.

The new products include two washing powders for colors and whites and the other two are washing liquids for colors and whites,' Donmez explained during his speech at the 12th International Energy Congress and Expo (EIF 2019) held in Ankara.

Eti Maden manufacture the four new detergent products, which are considered the first and only natural mineral cleaning products in Turkey that do not contain any chemical or petroleum products. The product was first introduced to the Turkish market on Jan. 25 this year.

According to Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, the country has a total of 3.3 billion tons of boron, equating to 73% of the world's total reserves, which puts Turkey as the world's number one country holding the biggest boron reserves.

'I thank our citizens for their interest in BORON cleaning products. Our local and national product, BORON, has been high in demand since it reached the shelves. Since demand was higher than supply, we increased our production capacity,' Donmez said.

Donmez emphasized that Turkey targets research and development projects that have a direct impact on boron consumption in sectors that are estimated to grow over the next 10 years, including construction, biofuel, pharmaceuticals, medical, ceramic, renewable energy, and the aviation and space industry.

He said that he welcomed any cooperation to sustain 'Turkey's dominion in the conventional boron products market and for our transition into boron products that are used in advanced technology.'

On Oct. 25, Turkey held a groundbreaking ceremony for a boron carbide plant in Balikesir, located in the Marmara region; the construction of which he said would be completed in one and a half years.

Boron products consumption globally has reached nearly 4 million tons. In 2018, Turkey met approximately 59% of the world's boron demand.

The 12th EIF 2019 congress, of which Anadolu Agency is the global communication partner, is running from Nov. 6 to 8. It is hosting around 300 executives, experts and CEOs from more than 40 countries to discuss renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass, in addition to topics on the global energy market and investment opportunities in Turkey.

Reporting by Murat Temizer, Sinan Uslu

Writing by Ovunc Kutlu

Anadolu Agency

energy@aa.com.tr