OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2012. Bunge Thrace plant is presently completing its Brownfield project to expand existing refining and bottling capabilities by 350 tons/day. Thrace’s previous refining and bottling capacity was of 100 tons/day and so far a toll processing agreement was covering the shortfall.

The investment in Bunge Thrace plant expansion will ensure the entire refinery and bottling production is kept in house and support Bunge’s development strategy in edible oils in one of the largest and fastest growing edible oil markets in Europe.

Thrace is sited at about 140 km North West of Istanbul (European side), within Turkey’s biggest sunflower growing region (80%) and close to Turkey’s largest consumer market, Istanbul.

The new bottling covers an area of over 8,000 m2 with the majority of the bottling equipment having been supplied by a reputable local supplier, Ektam.

Today, the bottling plant is up and running at design capacity for 2 out of the 3 lines.

1 & 2 liter PET line to bottle 8,400 of 1L units/hour or 5,000 of 2L units/hour

5 liter tin or PET to fill 3,500 units/hour

5, 10 & 18 liter tin or PET to fill 1,800 of 5L units/hour, 1,000 of 10L/hour, and 800 units/hour of 18 liter

The refinery is in the commissioning phase and due to start producing oil by the middle of June. It was designed to maximize flexibility - to either neutralize or physically refine – and ensure local demand is met quickly.

The contract for the refinery was awarded to De Smet, who provided the main equipment. The rest of the work was all contracted to local companies with the maximum number of contractors on site reaching approx. 170 within the March period.

As Safety comes first, one of the great accomplishments of this project execution is that it has been Lost Time Accident (LTA) free.

All these achievements are a testamen to the professionalism of the local project team in coordination with the Bunge EMEA central engineering group who has been in close contact and collaboration throughout the project.

Bunge Turkey is currently a Private Label filler, main customers being Turkey’s large retail chains - BIM, Migros, Carrefour, Tesco supermarkets – among others. The best selling packaging is currently the 5 liter tin, and the best selling oil is Sunflower oil.

Bunge Turkey’s edible oils business has grown significantly in the past years - from 5,000 tons per year in 2008 to 78,000 in 2011 - and it is projected to reach 84,000 tons per year in 2012 (from which 90% is packaged). The strategic plan looks for an increase up to 130,000 tons per year by 2017.

This new investment opens new business opportunities for Bunge in the edible oils market in Turkey. It offers our Company a competitive advantage in meeting the Private Label demand growth forecast and also the possibility to enter the market with branded products.