Sisecam Group Vice Chairman and CEO Professor Ahmet Kırman has been awarded the Order of the Star of Italy for his contribution to the strengthening of economic bilateral relations and mutual investments between Italy and Turkey. The award was proposed by Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and bestowed by the President of the Italian Republic.

“Italy is among the countries that Sisecam Group attaches great importance in terms of both our investments and commercial operations” Dr Kirman confirmed. “The total sum of our group’s investments in Italy has reached €120 million, while the products exported from Turkey to Italy amount to $90 million per year.”

Sisecam Group made its first investment in Italy via a 50% share acquisition of Cromital SpA, which operates in the field of chromium chemicals, in 2005. This company, located in the north of Italy, has been a 100% subsidiary since 2011.

The group made its second investment in Italy by opening its first overseas Pasabahce store in Milan in 2015. Also having made significant investments in the logistics and distribution network for the glassware business in Italy, the group accesses the USA, European, Middle Eastern and African markets via the country.

Sisecam made its third investment in Italy by acquiring the Porto Nogaro plant of Sangalli Vetro, a flat glass manufacturer, in the northern part of the country in 2016. And Sisecam’s latest investment in Italy was, again, in the field of flat glass. Acquiring the Manfredonia plant of Sangalli Vetro in the south of Italy in June of last year, the group has doubled its flat glass production capacity in the country, while further reinforcing its leadership in Europe.