Borsan, which allocates 1% of its revenue to R&D, is preparing to manufacture cables with boron additives and seashell powder. Collaborating with the Boron Institute on this initiative, the company aims to contribute to environmental sustainability by producing cables using seashell powder. Having been accepted into the TURQUALITY® program at the beginning of this year, Borsan exports 60% of its production to over 80 countries.

In 2023, the company generated 2 billion TL out of its total 4 billion TL revenue from exports and aims to increase its exports by 20% this year. Borsan, which operates three cable factories and one LED lighting factory in Samsun, climbed 73 places in the 2023 ISO 500 Largest Industrial Enterprises ranking to 383rd place. Additionally, Borsan entered the TİM Top 1000 Exporters list at 383rd place.

Providing insights to DÜNYA about the company’s projects and goals, Borsan Group CEO Arbek Akay announced that the company has currently filed five patent applications related to green transformation and environmental production.

R&D Center Will Shape the Future

At Borsan’s 1,000-square-meter R&D center, where 47 experts are working, Akay emphasized that “the future is being shaped” and stated:

“Our R&D center is developing new projects focused on green transformation. For example, we are currently working on the production of boron-additive cables. Additionally, we have filed a patent application for using the abaca plant fibers inside cables. Another patent application focuses on enhancing the properties of plastic materials used in cables by incorporating seashell powder, thereby creating a high-performance product. A significant portion of our five patent applications aims to support green transformation and environmentally friendly production.”

$180 Million Investment in Samsun OSB

Stating that Borsan has achieved an average annual revenue growth of 70% over the past five years, Akay said:

“We have become a key player in Turkey's electrical and cable industry. We export to 80 countries and are market leaders in 10 of them.”
Highlighting Borsan’s strong sales network across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, Akay noted: “Our goal in all markets is not just to be the biggest, but to be the best. We aim to be the most stable and sustainable company in the industry.”
As part of its two-year investment projection, Borsan aims to double its annual revenue from $200 million to $400 million. Akay stated: “We are planning a new investment move. A new organized industrial zone (OSB) is being established in Samsun, where we have invested in a 150-acre land. In addition to high-value-added products, we will also produce high-voltage cables, which we currently do not manufacture. Moreover, 65% of the $400 million total production in this facility will be allocated for exports.”

Production in Africa from Togo

Previously, Borsan acquired an Italian company and transferred its production line to Samsun. The company also manufactures cables in Togo through a local partnership.
“We have extensive experience in Africa, and our products are market leaders in many countries,” said Akay, adding: “Chinese companies do not stand a chance against us in that market. Togo is part of a customs union of 12 West African countries. By establishing local production in Togo, we not only become part of this customs union but also position ourselves for the future of African markets. Africa is a developing and untapped market, and it is clear that companies investing early will have a strong position in the future. That’s why we have made a significant move in this region.”

Women’s Employment to Be Increased to 40%

With approximately 540 employees, Borsan prioritizes women’s employment. Currently, women make up 25% of its workforce, including blue-collar positions.
CEO Akay stated: “We aim to increase this figure to 40%. We want women to have a greater role in the workforce—not only in management but also in factories and across all departments. Increasing the role of women in the workplace is a key goal for us.”
100% of Production Energy to Come from Solar Power
Akay also announced that Borsan has obtained two solar energy (GES) licenses and provided the following details: “In 2023, we completed a 3.2 MW rooftop solar power project. Additionally, we invested in a 10 MW solar farm in Çorum, which was completed this month and will be operational next month.This means we will generate 100% of our electricity consumption, including the energy used in our metal smelting furnaces, from our own solar power production.”

Global Cable Market Heading Towards $280 Billion

Emphasizing the significant global growth of the cable industry, Akay stated: “The global cable market grows by an average of 5% annually. By 2030, the market is expected to reach $280 billion. Urbanization trends, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, are driving demand. In Turkey, the cable industry is a net exporter, with approximately $3.5 billion in exports versus $1.3 billion in imports. Turkey’s cable industry has strong international competitiveness and has set a target of $8 billion in exports. However, we still rely on importing submarine cables and fiber optic cables, as they are not yet produced domestically”, he said.

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