Chairman of Sisecam, One of The Largest Soda Ash Investors in the USA, Honored With Prestigious Award

ISTANBUL, Turkey, Oct. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sisecam, approaching its goal of becoming the world's largest soda ash producer with its investments in the USA, saw its Chairman and Fully Authorized Executive Member of The Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman receive the 'Glass Person of the Year' award for his contributions to the development of the global glass industry. This prestigious award – known as the 'Oscar' of the glass industry – was presented to Prof. Dr. Kirman by the Phoenix Award Committee in Como, Italy.

Sisecam Chairman and Fully Authorized Executive Member of The Board of Directors Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman received the 'Glass Person of the Year 2023' award for his long-term, significant, and valuable contributions to the global glass industry. This prestigious award, widely known as the 'Oscar' of the glass industry, was presented to Prof. Dr. Kirman by the Phoenix Award Committee at a special ceremony held in Como, Italy. Representatives of the global glass industry and the business world convened at this special event, where Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown presented the award to Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman.

We can solve the world's shared problems with shared wisdom

At the award ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman delivered a speech on how the glass industry can play an active role in for solving the major challenges that the world is currently facing: “Today, the world has three critical problems, and the glass industry could have a vital role to play in solving these problems. The biggest issue the world is facing today is unequal income distribution. The glass industry should adopt a more constructive and inclusive approach that enriches not only its shareholders but also its employees. We must go beyond defining everything with costs and EBITDA and step up our efforts to correct the income distribution in the glass ecosystem. Another pressing issue is that the concept of a sustainable world is not sufficiently taken into consideration for the sake of political and economic interests, in spite of being strongly voiced, especially in developed countries and at the United Nations. First of all, the glass industry needs to act together to address resource use. In order to tackle our common problems effectively, we must create a shared wisdom, free from the desire for profit, and focused on collaboration rather than competition. Another critical issue is that the world's population has exceeded 8 billion and women, who make up more than half the total, are still not offered an equitable environment despite a lot of sophisticated rhetoric. We should also work harder to provide equal opportunities for women in the glass industry at all levels and every stage of production."

Prof. Dr. Kirman also expressed his thoughts about the Glass Person of the Year Award: "It is a tremendous honor to be presented with this prestigious award. My professional journey has included roles as a judge, an academic, and a banker, culminating in my experience in the glass industry. It is very impressive both in terms of motivation and responsibility to know that what we do is followed and appreciated in this sector. I would like to thank the distinguished members of the Committee."

Phoenix Award Committee Chairman Lincoln Brown stated that they were very happy to present this award to Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman, who had made significant contributions to the development of the glass industry for 17 years. He also pointed out that Sisecam was able to become a global powerhouse under Prof. Dr. Kirman's inspiring leadership.

Sisecam will become the world's largest soda ash producer

A global player in the global glass and chemicals industry, Sisecam conducts manufacturing operations in 14 countries on four continents with 24.000 employees and reaches 150 countries worldwide with its products. Sisecam is also one of the largest Turkish investors in the USA. Sisecam's investment history in soda ash in the USA dates to 2019. Having made the strategic decision to expand its global footprint in natural soda ash production, Sisecam entered a 50-50% partnership with Ciner Group to establish a new natural soda ash production facility in the USA in 2019. During the 2-year partnership, the environmentally friendly and sustainable nature of natural soda ash became apparent. Meanwhile, soda ash demand grew rapidly, as expected. These highly favorable dynamics prompted Sisecam to further boost its investments in this promising business area and bolster its presence in the huge US market. In 2021, Sisecam increased its stake in the Pacific Project from 50% to 60%. Sisecam also decided to expand its partnership area and become a 60% shareholder in Ciner Group's Wyoming facility in the USA. In addition, Sisecam assumed a 60% interest in the Atlantic Project, which was fully owned by Ciner Group, another initiative planned for the production of natural soda ash. Today, Sisecam is the second largest soda producer in the world. Thanks to its natural soda investment in the US, Sisecam is poised to become the world's largest soda ash producer. With the US investment's phased completion scheduled for 2028, Sisecam will have a global soda ash production capacity of over 10 Million tons. The total production capacity of Sisecam's soda operations in the USA will be 7,5 Million tons.

This year, Sisecam made another investment in the USA to meet the logistics needs of its natural soda ash investment in the country. Sisecam became an equal partner in Ciner’s the Stockton Port Management project in California. The project is designed to establish a logistics infrastructure that will facilitate the future export activities of Sisecam's ongoing soda ash investments in the USA. Sisecam employs 513 people in the USA and contributed to the country's economy with exports totaling USD 268 Million in the first 7 months of 2023.

About Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman

Throughout his career, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kirman has had the opportunity to explore diverse fields such as law, banking, and academia, each contributing to his professional growth and enriching his perspective. In 2006, he joined Sisecam, and since then, he has been dedicated to contributing to the success of the global glass industry. Since 2006, At Sisecam, he served as Sisecam’s Chairman and Fully Authorized Executive Member from 2006 to 2011. Vice Chairman and CEO from 2011 to 2021. Chairman and CEO as of 30 March 2021. He was appointed as the Chairman on 1 July 2021 and Fully Authorized Executive Member of the Board of Directors at the General Assembly meeting held on 28 March 2022.

Sisecam set its global leadership goals and the goal of becoming one of the world's top 3 manufacturers in its main fields of activity under his leadership. He initiated a very important infrastructure transformation to prepare Sisecam for the future. This was followed by the merger of One Sisecam which was the largest merger in the history of Turkish capital markets. Since 2006 Sisecam has expanded the reach of its products to 150 countries and increased sales by 3,5 folds. By 2022, the share of international sales exceeded 60%. Sisecam’s annual glass production has increased by 2,3 folds, and soda ash production has increased by 4,2 folds. The number of Sisecam employees has grown from 15 thousand to over 24 thousand in 17 years.

He has been honored with the title of “Cavaliere” of “the Order of the Star of Italy,” nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic, in recognition of strengthening economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey. President of the Republic of Tatarstan honored him with the “Medal of Valorous Labor” in recognition of Sisecam’s contributions to the development of investments and economic cooperation. He has also been honoured with the “Medal of Appreciation” for contributions to the economic development of the Targovishte Region in Bulgaria. He was also awarded the “Chairman of the Year” at the Le Fonti Awards, an award platform of one of the leading economics media organizations in Italy. In 2019, in recognition of his lifetime contributions to the glass science and technology, encouraging the exchange of knowledge and promotion of national and international glass community, he was awarded with the “President’s Award” by the International Commission on Glass (ICG).

About Sisecam

Sisecam was founded in 1935 to establish Turkey’s glass industry in line with the vision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a great leader respected worldwide. Today, Sisecam is a major global player in the fields of glass and chemicals. Sisecam is the only global company operating in all core areas of glass production – including flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, and glass fiber. Currently, Sisecam ranks among the world’s top two manufacturers of glassware and the top five producers of glass packaging and flat glass. Sisecam is one of the three largest soda ash producers in the world and the world leader in chromium chemicals.

Sisecam plays a leading role in the flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, chemicals, automotive, glass fiber, mining, energy and recycling business lines. Sisecam operates production facilities in Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russian Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, Egypt, India, and the USA in addition to Turkey.

Sisecam, who takes firm steps towards its goal of becoming one of the world's top 3 manufacturers in its main fields of activity, with its competent human resources and smart technologies, and uninterruptedly continues to transform its digital infrastructure and culture by considering the future necessities. Sisecam, who has 88 years of experience, more than 24 thousand employees, production activities in 14 countries on four continents, and a sales network of more than 150 countries, continues its growth journey in line with its "Global Excellence" strategy and with an inclusive approach that supports the development of company's entire ecosystem. Sisecam takes responsibility for protecting the planet, empowering society and transforming life with its CareForNext strategy, which is compliant with and centered around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Sisecam uses all its experience and competencies to promote sustainable development in every aspect.