Ekoplas, a member of the OSTİM Renewable Energy and Environmental Technologies Cluster, designs and manufactures a wide range of innovative, eco-friendly products using recycled materials, including permeable surfaces, landscape separation and demarcation, and vertical garden solutions. Company owner Ali Çetin stated, “The country has big goals. This boosts our morale. We all have responsibilities to fulfill in order to achieve the 2023 targets. Our goal is to eliminate the import of landscape products.”
How did you decide to establish Ekoplas?
We spent our childhood in OSTİM. We were interested in industry. We were inspired by our friends who had been here for 20-25 years with an entrepreneurial spirit. We founded our company in 2012. We produce sustainable, environmentally friendly architectural and landscape products. We produce details and products for the landscape sector from recycled materials. I previously worked in a different sector. While doing research there, I saw that these products were being produced abroad.
Do you have any exports?
We are working with Azerbaijan. We are in talks with several companies in Russia. We send materials to Uzbekistan. Russia, Azerbaijan, Dubai, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan are our target markets. We will establish a complete distribution network in this region.
Is there a Chinese threat?
Yes, there is. For example, we were going to sell materials to Azerbaijan. We were going to export… We offered the lowest price we could to enter the Azerbaijani market. The other side said they could get those materials from China for half the price. They didn't buy from us.
SUPPORTS LEED CERTIFICATION
What makes your products different?
We have products made from plastic injection molding, plastic extrusion, aluminum, metal, and plastic. First and foremost, we use recycled materials in all our products. All our products support the LEED certification of the US Green Building Council in terms of infrastructure. For example, with one product, instead of building a 1000 m² concrete parking lot, you can build a 1000 m² green parking lot. The materials have rainwater drainage properties. We have nearly 20 different products.
What is the average lifespan?
There isn't a defined lifespan. However, when designing the project, we prioritize infrastructure and sustainability. We work on all the details with the project companies to ensure it's not just a one or two-year application, but perhaps a lifelong one.
Who are your clients?
Municipalities, construction companies, project companies, private housing projects. We have also started working with TOKİ (Housing Development Administration of Turkey). Our products are beginning to be adapted to TOKİ projects.
Can you do custom production?
We try to adapt our standard products to projects. If there is demand, we also design alternative products for that.
What is the state of the industry worldwide?
We have a few companies in America and the UK that supply some of the materials in our portfolio. But there isn't one that offers all of these products to the market in bulk. Within the scope of sustainable, environmentally friendly landscaping products, we will produce all the solution-oriented products available worldwide.
Do you have any criteria when purchasing raw materials?
There are no such criteria in recycling. The materials we throw away are processed and returned as plastic. Essentially, whatever is thrown away is the raw material that comes back to us. We have formulations for our products. We don't use foreign-sourced raw materials; we only source them from Turkey. Recycling is widespread in Turkey.
Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Producing and selling something is easy. The only disadvantage is the business mindset. The biggest problem we face is not receiving payment on time. Previously, materials were delivered and checks were received. However, now all companies offer open account payment. This is the most difficult part of entrepreneurship. Most of the companies we work with say, "Send the materials, we'll make the payments later." Because of this, all our work is disrupted.
Entrepreneurship is truly enjoyable if you have dreams. We had many dreams when we founded this place. We've probably only realized 5% of them so far.
What are your goals?
In the 3-year period between 2020-2023, this next 2-3 year period will determine our situation. We want to establish our own factory in the Organized Industrial Zone. The factory's roofs, roof garden, and walls will be made with our own products. It will be a sustainable building. Another important goal is to prevent the Chinese and Europeans from selling landscape products in our country.
How did you get acquainted with the cluster? What are your expectations?
I looked into the companies and their activities through news articles in the OSTİM Newspaper and their website. However, I didn't have the opportunity to get involved. When Cluster Coordinator Pınar Yalman Akcengiz introduced the cluster, I decided to become a member. It's very important for us. We examined the companies in the catalog; there are solar energy companies there as well. I didn't see many plastics companies among them. We produce landscape products, but essentially we are also plastics manufacturers. We can take joint steps with other members and work together to support their sectors.
Anything to add?
The only message I can give is: More initiatives. Our country has big goals; even the "Turkey Discover The Potential" advertisement inspires us. It boosts our morale. We all have responsibilities. My goal is to stop importing landscape products.
“PROCEDURES ARE TOO SLOW”
What is it like to be an SME in Turkey?
This is my first experience in business. People around me say it, but I'm saying it because I've seen it for myself. There's a lot of support for entrepreneurs, but the process moves very slowly! To grow my business further, I need to buy machinery and equipment… For example, I need to invest in machinery to be able to produce new products. So much paperwork and documents are required to benefit from government support that you get frustrated and give up.
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