SK Plasma, a leading Korean biopharmaceutical company, has officially commenced construction of its advanced plasma fractionation plant in Turkey, marking a significant step in its global manufacturing network expansion.
This state-of-the-art facility, a strategic joint venture with the Turkish Red Crescent, is designed to process an impressive 600,000 liters of plasma annually. It will be crucial for producing essential plasma-derived medicines such as albumin, immunoglobulin, and Factor VIII concentrate, addressing critical healthcare needs.
The momentous groundbreaking ceremony took place at the project site in Cubuk, Ankara, coinciding with the 158th anniversary celebrations of the Turkish Red Crescent. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underscored the project’s importance by attending via live broadcast.
This ambitious project stems from a pivotal shareholder agreement between SK Plasma and the Turkish Red Crescent, leading to the formation of their joint venture, Proturk. Their shared goal is to develop a robust, domestic plasma fractionation facility within Turkey.
Proturk is set to construct a substantial 36,000-square-meter production plant, engineered for an annual plasma processing capacity of 600,000 liters. The completion of construction is anticipated in the second half of 2028, with commercial production slated to commence in 2030.
President Erdogan highlighted the significant financial commitment, stating that the project represents a total investment nearing 500 million euros (approximately $580 million).
“This crucial plasma fractionation facility project is a collaborative endeavor, jointly carried out by Proturk, the Turkish Red Crescent, and various relevant government agencies,” President Erdogan affirmed, emphasizing the importance of its stable implementation.
At its core, the project leverages SK Plasma’s innovative ‘plasma self-sufficiency’ model. This comprehensive model integrates key components including technology transfer, state-of-the-art facility construction, robust operational support, and strategic equity participation.
This pioneering model empowers partner countries to establish vital domestic production capabilities for essential plasma medicines, thereby significantly strengthening their healthcare sovereignty. Concurrently, it offers SK Plasma sustainable long-term revenue streams derived from technology royalties and strategic equity investments.
SK Plasma emphasized that the new Turkish facility is poised to become a cornerstone of its expanding global supply chain strategy. Integrating seamlessly with its production base in Indonesia and robust existing operations in Korea, the company is strategically building a powerful regional manufacturing network designed to effectively serve the diverse markets of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
SK Plasma CEO Kim Seung-joo articulated the strategic vision, stating, “By leveraging our robust production bases in Indonesia and Turkey, we are establishing a stable and resilient supply chain. This expansion will significantly extend the global reach of Korea’s dynamic bio industry into the crucial European and Middle Eastern markets.”
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