Ⅰ. Project Overview

• Project Name:Bandırma, Turkey 1300 t/year Boron Carbide Turnkey Project
• Client/Owner:Turkish State-Owned Mining Company Eti Maden
• Contractor:China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC)
• Total Investment:Approximately USD 70 million
• Project Timeline:Construction start: October 25, 2019; Production achieved: 2023-2024
• Design Capacity:1300 tons/year

This project represents the first large-scale export of complete boron carbide technology and equipment from China to Europe. It is also Turkey’s first boron carbide production line entirely utilizing Chinese proprietary technology, standards, and process equipment. Contact us to explore in-depth cooperation.

 

 

Ⅱ. Project Background

• Resource Advantage:Turkey holds approximately 73% of global boron mineral resources but has long primarily exported basic boric acid products, lacking high-value-added deep processing capabilities.
• Industry Demand:Boron carbide, as an ultra-hard material, sees growing demand in fields such as armor protection, nuclear reactor control, high-end wear-resistant components, and semiconductor thermal management.
• National Strategy:The project aligns with Turkey’s goal of extending its boron resource industry chain into high-end materials to enhance industrial competitiveness, and with China’s promotion of technology export under the “Belt and Road” initiative for mutual benefit.

 

III. Technical Solution

Core Technology:

Utilizing mature carbothermal reduction. Using boric acid/boron oxide and petroleum coke/carbon powder as raw materials, under an inert atmosphere, high-power electric arc furnaces generate ultra-high temperatures exceeding 2200°C to achieve efficient reduction synthesis, ensuring high conversion rates and excellent product density.

3.1 Key Process Steps for Boron Carbide Production

Step	Main Operations	Key Parameters	Objective
Raw Material Pre-treatment	Crushing, screening, drying	Particle size: 5-50µm	Improve raw material uniformity and purity
Mixing & Granulation	Mixing boric acid, petroleum coke/carbon powder, binder	Precise stoichiometric ratio (B₂O₃:C ≈ 1:1.5-2)	Form uniform, sinterable granulated bodies
Forming	Cold pressing/isostatic pressing or injection molding	Forming pressure 150-300 MPa	Obtain high-density, high-strength green bodies, minimize sintering deformation
High-Temperature Sintering	Carbothermal reduction in electric arc furnace or inert atmosphere (Ar)	Temperature 2200-2500°C, holding time 1-2 h	Synthesize B₄C primary crystalline phase, achieve densification
Post-Processing	Crushing, acid washing, grinding, classification, polishing, surface coating	Target product particle size distribution (5-200µm)	Obtain final powder or products meeting various application needs

 

3.2 Main Processing Equipment for Boron Carbide Production
All core equipment is designed and manufactured in China, complying with ISO 9001 Quality Management System and CE certification standards. Integrated with an intelligent monitoring platform for full-process visual management.

Equipment System	Function	Capacity/Specification
Raw Material Crushing & Screening System	Primary and fine crushing, classification of raw materials	Annual raw material processing capacity ≥1500 tons
Mixing Granulator	Efficient, uniform mixing and particle formation	Annual output capacity of qualified granules ≥1300 tons
High-Pressure Forming Machine	High-pressure forming of green bodies (cold isostatic pressing/molding)	Maximum working pressure ≥300 MPa
Large Electric Arc Furnace (5000-30000 kVA)	High-temperature sintering at ~2500°C	Annual production capacity of 1300 tons B₄C
Crushing, Classification & Grinding Line	Crushing of sintered blocks, grinding, precise particle classification	Capable of producing various powder specifications
Environmental Post-Processing System	Acid washing, dust removal, waste gas purification	Ensures emissions meet environmental standards
Automated Control Center	Integrated PLC, SCADA, and MES systems	Real-time monitoring and data acquisition

 

Ⅳ. Plant Design and Construction

4.1 Factory Site Layout (Site Area approx. 45,000 m²)

• Raw Material Zone:Crushing, screening, storage (moisture-proof, fireproof)
• Production Zone:Granulation, forming, sintering workshops (explosion-proof, ventilated)
• Post-Processing Zone:Crushing, grinding, classification, packaging
• Auxiliary Facilities:Power station, wastewater treatment, waste gas recovery, office and laboratory

Modular design facilitates future capacity expansion or technological upgrades.

 

4.2 Key Construction Milestones

Timeline	Milestone
2019.10.25	Project Groundbreaking Ceremony (attended by Turkish Minister of Energy)
2020.03	Main civil structure completed, power and gas supply systems in place
2020.10	Main equipment delivered and on-site commissioning completed
2021.06	Trial production commenced, first batch of B₄C samples produced
2022.01	Official operation began, capacity gradually ramped up to 1300 t/year
2023.03	Gained membership in the “Boron Carbide Global Sellers Club”

 

4.3 Environmental Protection, Health & Safety (EHS)

• Waste Gas Treatment:Utilizes low-temperature condensation + activated carbon adsorption, ensuring CO₂ and CO emissions comply with EU IPPC standards.
• Wastewater Recycling:Cooling water is recycled. Process wastewater is treated via neutralization + filtration to meet EU WFD requirements.
• Noise Control:Factory-wide use of sound barriers and low-noise equipment, complying with ISO 9614.
• Safety System:Equipped with explosion-proof electrical systems, leak alarms, emergency plans, and certified to ISO 45001.

The project was recognized as a “Green Factory” in Turkey, enhancing local environmental stewardship and industrial competitiveness.

 

 

Ⅴ. Economic Benefit Analysis

Item	Estimated Value / Impact
Total Investment	Approx. USD 70 million
Annual Output Value	Approx. USD 12 million (based on 1300 t × USD 9200/t)
Investment Payback Period	3-4 years
Tax Contribution	Estimated to contribute ~200 million Turkish Lira in annual taxes for Turkey
Local Employment	Directly provides ~200 jobs, indirectly supports ~500 jobs
Industrial Upgrade Benefit	Increases the added value of Turkish boron resources by approximately 10-15 times, successfully extending into downstream high-end manufacturing.

 

 

Ⅵ. Cooperation Model & Services

We provide flexible, comprehensive cooperation solutions to ensure project success throughout its lifecycle:

• Turnkey (EPC) Project:Full-scope services from feasibility study, process design, equipment supply, construction, commissioning, training, to handover.
• Technology Transfer:Provision of core process technology licenses, complete design documentation, operating procedures, maintenance manuals, and establishment of a long-term technical service center at the project site.
• Post-Commissioning Support:

1. On-site production guidance and optimization service (first 12 months).
2. 24/7 Remote diagnostics and technical support platform.
3. Spare parts supply chain guarantee (95%+ spare parts delivery within one year).

• Localization Service:Collaboration with local Turkish EPC contractors, research institutes to cultivate local engineers.

 

 

VII. Media Coverage (News Links)

Date	Media Outlet	Headline (Title translated from Chinese)	Link
2019.10.28	360powder	Turkey’s First Domestic Boron Carbide Production Project Groundbreaking	Link
2023.04.13	Sina Finance	Chinese Technology Goes Global Under the Belt and Road Initiative	Link
2019.10.26	Hürriyet	Savunmada bor devrimi (Boron Revolution in Defense)	Link
2023.04.23	360powder	Turkey Joins the Boron Carbide Global Sellers Club	Link
2019.10.27	CRI Online	CMEC and Turkish Eti Group Hold Project Groundbreaking Ceremony	Link
2023.03.19	Hürriyet	Turkish President Erdoğan Speaks at Opening of Boron Carbide Project	Link

 

 

VIII. Project Summary & Outlook

1. Technological Leadership:

The project successfully validates the maturity and reliability of China’s independently developed “Carbothermal Reduction – Arc Furnace Sintering” technological system, with key product indicators meeting international advanced standards.

2. Industry Chain Enhancement:

Successfully assists Turkey in transforming resource advantage into high-end material industry advantage, establishing a complete value chain from boron ore to high-value-added boron carbide products, serving as a significant demonstration.

3. Cooperation Model:

As a landmark project for the complete export of China’s high-end inorganic material technology and equipment to Europe, it provides a replicable, mature template for similar deep-processing projects in resource-rich regions like Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

4. Sustainable Development:

The project fully implements green manufacturing principles, with environmental indicators strictly benchmarked against EU standards, achieving not only economic benefits but also enhancing the sustainable development level of local industry.

 

We are committed to providing global partners with full lifecycle services covering technology upgrades, operational optimization, and market expansion, to jointly create long-term value in the global high-end special materials sector.Contact Us