E-Berk, which started its operations and grew in OSTİM, made Turkey the eighth country in the world to produce tunnel boring machines.
With the support of TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey), the company produced an EPB (Earth Pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machine) under the TEYDEB 1501 program. The machine's rollout ceremony was held at E-Berk's factory in Anadolu Organized Industrial Zone, with the participation of the Minister of Industry and Technology, Mustafa Varank.
The Ground Balance Pressure Tunnel Boring Machine (EPB TBM) will be used in the excavation of the Deep Sea Discharge Tunnel, which is included in the Ergene Basin Protection Action Plan.
“We are one of 8 countries”
Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank stated that the most important role in the realization of major projects such as the Eurasia Tunnel and the Ovit Tunnel is played by the machinery park. Varank said, “Tunnel boring machines, also called moles, are very important. We are one of the 8 countries in the world that produce in this field and say, 'I am also in the global competition.' All of our competitors are developed countries.”
Minister Varank reminded that the tunnel boring machine, designed by Turkish engineers and boasting a 54% domestic content rate, was developed with the support of TÜBİTAK TEYDEB. Stating that they want to see more of these types of products developed with national capabilities, Varank said, "We stand by everyone who creates added value, provides employment, and wants to produce. We have many support programs, from the initial idea to the market launch of the product. E-Berk has benefited greatly from the support we provide.”
Minister Varank noted that E-Berk's investment of approximately 80 million Turkish Lira was supported through strategic investment and regional investment incentives, and stated that two of the company's projects qualified for support from TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey).
Varank pointed out that the company, thanks to all the support it received, now exports to 30 countries on 4 continents, and emphasized that while Türkiye's average export added value per kilogram is 1.4 dollars, this amount varies between 18 and 25 dollars for the products exported by E-Berk.
Minister Varank stated that there are difficulties in opening up opportunities for domestic production, especially in public tenders, and said, "I am also concerned about this. Currently, we have legislation regarding the application of a 15% price advantage to domestic products, but sometimes administrations can circumvent this through various practices. We are determined to address this issue. We will do our best to create a good system for applying price advantages to domestic products and to ensure that domestic products benefit from this advantage."
Price per kg is over $18
Özgür Savaş Özüdoğru, Chairman of the Board of Directors of E-Berk, drew attention to the importance of government support in production. Özüdoğru said, "Without the support of our government, it would not have been possible for us to make these investments."
The experienced industrialist, stating that the price per kg of the machines they produce ranges from 18 to 25 dollars, conveyed the message: “We have reached the capacity to produce machines up to 18 meters in diameter. We are ready to produce tunnel boring machines for large-scale projects. Turkish engineering now has this power. We have produced a product that was previously imported for 256 million dollars.”
Özgür Savaş Özüdoğru requested that machinery included in public tenders also benefit from a 15% domestic price advantage.
Following the speeches, the tunnel boring machine was ceremonially lowered onto the conveyor belt. E-Berk Chairman Özgür Savaş Özüdoğru briefed the Minister of Industry and Technology, Mustafa Varank, on the machine's technical specifications.
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