Ambitious Investment Takes Root in YalovaTurkish steelmaker Saritas Celik Sanayi has embarked on a transformative industrial project in Türkiye’s western city of Yalova. The firm is investing in a vast integrated stainless steel plant in the Machinery Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, aiming to strengthen the nation’s export base & reduce dependency on imported raw materials. Designed to unfold over four distinct phases, the facility will be fully operational by 2030, positioning Saritas as a linchpin in Türkiye’s strategic metals industry.

Four-Phase Growth BlueprintThe development plan is methodically structured. The first two phases, currently under construction, focus on cold rolling operations. These will be completed by 2027, offering an annual capacity of 400,000 metric tons and creating 500 new jobs. A hot rolling unit will be added in 2028, further boosting output and employment to 700 workers. The final phase, scheduled for 2030, involves an on-site steel melting facility, which will allow the plant to integrate the entire value chain, from raw steel to finished stainless products.

Economic Boost & Employment UpliftAt full capacity, the plant is expected to produce 800,000 metric tons of stainless steel annually while generating 1,200 direct jobs. The project is viewed as a crucial contributor to regional economic dynamism in Yalova, with indirect benefits for subcontractors, logistics firms, equipment suppliers & technical training institutions. The integrated approach not only enhances output volume but ensures quality control & product customization, meeting both local and global industrial demands.

Technology & Sustainability at the CoreThe new facility reflects a modern industrial vision. It incorporates automation, digital traceability systems, energy-efficient operations, and circular waste management solutions. Saritas highlighted that its engineering framework aligns with Türkiye’s climate policy and green industrial targets. Recycled inputs, low-emission production, and smart grid readiness are built into the plant’s blueprint, preparing the company for stringent EU carbon regulations and ESG compliance expectations.

Synergy with Gebze FacilitySaritas already operates a major processing center in the Gebze Organized Industrial Zone, which employs 350 workers and has an annual capacity of 750,000 metric tons. That facility will remain operational and continue offering high-precision services like slitting, grinding, cutting, surface coating & painting. The Yalova facility is expected to complement, not replace, the Gebze site, enabling a dual-hub model to efficiently serve a growing global clientele.

Chairman Declares Industrial Sovereignty VisionErcument Saritas, chairman of Saritas Celik, called the investment a pivotal move toward national industrial sovereignty. “This is not merely capacity expansion, it is a strategic step to secure Türkiye’s domestic production power and reduce foreign dependency in stainless steel,” he stated. He emphasized that integrated facilities which control every stage of production are the future of sovereign manufacturing. According to him, this project marks a shift from commodity exports to high-value industrial self-sufficiency.

Export Prowess & Global ReachSaritas has built a formidable export presence, reaching 74 countries across sectors such as white goods, automotive, energy, construction & defense. The new Yalova plant is expected to elevate Türkiye’s share in global stainless steel markets, currently dominated by China, South Korea & some EU producers. The firm’s long-term vision includes becoming a net exporter of high-end stainless products, leveraging Türkiye’s geographic access to Europe, the Middle East & Central Asia.

Strategic Alignment with National GoalsThis investment dovetails with Türkiye’s national economic goals of increasing domestic value-add, strengthening supply chain resilience, and reducing current account deficits linked to raw material imports. By integrating melting operations, Saritas ensures end-to-end control, enabling local sourcing of scrap steel, employment of domestic engineering talent, and training of next-generation metallurgists. The project is also expected to spark industrial partnerships and innovation clusters around Yalova OSB.

Key Takeaways

• Saritas Celik is investing in a 4-phase stainless steel facility in Yalova, to reach 800,000 metric tons output & 1,200 jobs by 2030.

• The project includes cold & hot rolling, melting, digital tracking, recycling, & energy-efficient processes.

• Chairman Ercument Saritas views the plant as a leap toward Türkiye’s industrial independence & global stainless leadership.