Nordkalk, the leading manufacturer of limestone-based products in northern Europe, expanded last year its operations to Turkey in a joint venture with a local player. The joint venture, named Nordeka Maden A.Ş., is controlled by Nordkalk and was granted permission 2017, to own and operate the Eskibalikli calf in the northwestern part of Turkey.
The state of mining was previously contained by Biga Maden, a Turkish company owned by the Dereli family. Nordkalk is running Nordeka Food together with Yalçın Dereli.
The eskibalikli deposit is located in the Canakkale-Biga region, about 300 kilometers southwest of Istanbul, with major industrial and infrastructure projects ongoing, increasing the demand for limestone-based products. In addition to infrastructure, several power plants are also being built in the region.
Based on logistical benefits and our local partner's extensive experience of the Turkish limestone-based market, we believe that Nordeka Food will get a unique position to benefit from local growth opportunities in northwestern Turkey, "says Hannu Hautala, CEO of Nordkalk.
The joint venture Nordeka Maden started operations and constructed a new crushing plant. At full capacity, it has an annual output of 2.5 million tonnes of limestone and it employs more than 50 people. During the investment phase, an external contractor was responsible for the crushing.
Reserves of high-quality limestone in Eskibalikli are expected to last for at least 30 years.
