Factory in central Turkey began production as part of multi-phase investment programme

Hanover, Germany – A new tire manufacturing project is taking shape in central Turkey, involving a multi-phase investment programme valued at $350 million (€300 million).

Operated by Turkish company Mesalas, the facility located in Afyon is expected to produce a broad range of tire types over the next few years, general manager Murat Hepdurluk told ERJ.

Construction major Mesa Holding began work on the project – not far from Ankara – two years ago: the first phase involving an investment of $100 million to build the plant.

According to Hepdurluk, the initial production unit entered full operation at the start of this year and is focused on bias agricultural and industrial tires.

Products include front and rear tractor tires, moving-equipment tires, backhoe loader tires and pneumatic and solid forklift tires.

The initial capacity of the plant is around 30 tonnes per day, with the factory currently operating three production shifts and sales already underway.

Mesalas, continued Hepdurluk, is now preparing to launch the next project phase, with an estimated investment of $130-140 million: expanding both product range and capacity.

Phase II will involve the construction of a new truck and bus radial (TBR) tire facility – set to begin shortly – with construction & installation work planned within 2026.

Following development and testing work, commercial production is expected shortly after installations, Hepdurluk said.

The planned TBR line will have a capacity of around 1,500 tires per day, equivalent to around 80 tonnes per day.

Phase II will also include radial agricultural tire production, which is expected to reach around 15 tonnes per day.

According to Hedurluk, a third phase, costed at $110 million, will be introduced by around 2029 to add capacity for passenger car radial (PCR) and off-the-road (OTR) tire production.

Currently, the PCR facility is expected to add a capacity for 10,000 – 12,000 PCR tires per day, while no volume target has been defined for the OTR project.

The final phase will have a two-year ramp-up period once production begins in the next few years.

While the Turkish domestic market will be the primary focus initially, the company is also targeting export markets.

North Africa and Europe are seen as key markets for several product segments, and the US market a destination for agricultural tires and TBRs, Hepdurluk said.

“Turkey has a strong tire manufacturing culture and supporting industries,” Hepdurluk said. “This makes the country a good hub to produce tires and export to other markets.”

Mesalas is also in talks with several major global tire makers regarding potential strategic partnerships or licensing agreements, which could support technology development and international market entry.