Achieve Energy Savings with Proper Insulation While Protecting Fossil Fuel Resources and Reducing Environmental and Air Pollution

In an interview with Yapı İnşaat magazine, Tolga Ceylan, Eryap Group’s Marketing and Turkey Sales Manager, stated, “Bonus Stone Wool is an insulation material preferred in various construction projects due to its superior qualities and wide range of applications.” He highlighted its use in all kinds of structures involving people, such as residential buildings, industrial facilities, factories, cold storage units, shopping centers, hotels, plazas, schools, ships, trains, and performance halls, to enhance both safety and comfort.

 

1. Could you provide an overview of your company’s general structure?

As Eryap Group, we have been serving the construction sector with over 50 years of industrial experience. We maintain a strong presence in the industry with three brands: Bonus Insulation, American Siding, and Winer. Under Bonus Insulation, we offer innovative products providing what we call the “Four Vital Insulations” of thermal, water, sound, and fire insulation, connecting our customers with top-notch insulation solutions through XPS, stone wool, and membrane products. With our flagship brand American Siding, we are unmatched in the exterior cladding market. Through our Winer brand, we manufacture polymer doors and window systems using high-tech extrusion production technology.

With a half-century of experience, we continuously strive to progress each of our brands by accurately analyzing the industry’s needs and pursuing a vision of continuous development.

2. Could you tell us about any recent products and services you’ve developed within fire-resistant and fire-preventative systems?

Fires, which may be caused by a variety of human or natural factors, can become serious disasters if not addressed promptly, resulting in significant loss of life and property. Measures such as fire suppression systems, fire detectors, and fire extinguishers come to mind first for fire prevention or minimizing impact. However, these are generally effective only in controlling fires in their early stages and may not be sufficient for larger-scale fires.

All types of buildings must be constructed in compliance with fire safety regulations. Fire safety starts with design, followed by the selection of appropriate materials and fire suppression systems. Fire insulation includes the materials and measures used to prevent the spread of fire to other areas and control its spread. Using high-heat-resistant materials in construction helps slow fire spread, allowing for safer evacuation and fire control.

At Bonus Insulation, we offer solutions in this area. Bonus Stone Wool is produced by melting natural stone at temperatures between 1350°C and 1500°C and converting it into fine fibers through a specialized process. Stone wool panels are available in varying densities, thicknesses, and specifications according to the structure and intended use. Certified as an A-class “non-combustible material” per TS EN 13162 standards, Bonus Stone Wool provides exceptional performance beyond regulatory requirements. When used in floor slabs and partition walls, it limits the vertical and horizontal spread of fire, enhancing fire safety. This allows for more time for fire response teams, thereby minimizing loss of life and property.

3. Can you provide some insights into the product groups or services that are commonly preferred in your projects?

Bonus Stone Wool, with its superior qualities and wide range of applications, is a preferred insulation material in various construction projects. It is used for safety and comfort in a variety of structures, including residential buildings, industrial facilities, factories, cold storage units, shopping centers, hotels, plazas, schools, ships, trains, and performance halls. Stone wool can be used on both interior and exterior surfaces, such as partition walls, floors, stairwells, elevator shafts, facades, metal and wood roofs, HVAC surfaces, high-temperature chimneys, and boilers. Its high resistance to extreme heat creates safe spaces, preventing the spread of fire and reducing environmental impact.

4. What would you like to say about the added value your products provide to customers?

At Eryap Group, we contribute to guiding our customers’ investments more consciously and value-driven with our products. As a society, we are now more mindful when investing or purchasing property than in the past. When buying an apartment, we research its earthquake resistance; when renting a workplace, we consider fire safety and sound insulation. We have begun to value not only design but also safety and comfort aspects such as insulation.

Insulation has a multi-dimensional impact. Insulated buildings demonstrate resilience to disasters like fires and earthquakes and offer significant energy savings advantages. Properly insulated buildings can achieve energy savings of up to 60%. Additionally, insulation balances heat, moisture, and sound, creating a more comfortable and healthier living space.

Insulated buildings offer a safer image. Investments in insulation enhance a property’s future value, while appropriate insulation increases both the value of the property and provides long-term benefits to users.
 

5. Based on your goals for the first half of 2023, could you briefly share about your domestic and international sales, new investments, and dealership expansion plans?

Our vision focuses on growth and development. We operate with both horizontal and vertical growth strategies in both domestic and international markets. Despite variable economic conditions, we achieved notable success in both domestic and international sales during the first half of 2023 thanks to our dedicated efforts. We experienced positive momentum in the sales of our innovative products tailored to customer needs.

In 2022, we played an influential role in the export market and were honored with two awards from the Turkish HVAC-R Exporters Association (İSİB). We received awards for the “Top Insulation Material Exporter of the Year” and the “Top Plastic Pipe and Fittings Exporter of the Year.” With these achievements, we continue to grow as Turkey’s leading manufacturer and exporter, reaching 65 countries worldwide.

In 2024, all our brands will introduce new products and explore new markets. We will continue to grow alongside our business partners and stakeholders.

6. What are your thoughts on the Fire Regulation in Turkey? Is it sufficient on a global scale? Are the incentives for compliance and inspections adequate for product use in the industry?

Turkey’s Fire Regulation defines the fire safety standards for structures in the country. While aimed at setting national security standards, it should also align with international fire safety standards. The adequacy of Turkey’s Fire Regulation can be assessed by considering factors such as implementation rate, inspection mechanisms, and education and awareness programs.
 

Fire safety is shaped not only by legal regulations but also by the overall awareness of property owners, designers, and the construction sector. Thus, education and awareness initiatives are as important as regulations. Recent fires suggest that not all stakeholders are fully meeting their responsibilities. Not only newly constructed buildings but also older structures should be inspected, and necessary precautions should be taken in all aspects.

In addition to national regulations, following international standards and best practices in fire safety is a critical step toward creating safer and more sustainable buildings. Factors like fire resistance of materials used in buildings and inspection of facade insulation are just a few focus areas within fire safety regulations. Considering the constantly evolving technology and developments in the construction sector, fire regulations should be regularly updated and improved.

7. Considering the environmental impacts of the production processes for your products, what would you like to say about “Energy Efficiency” and “Corporate Footprint”?

In our facilities located in Gaziantep, Istanbul, and Sakarya, we work in collaboration with each unit to minimize and reduce the environmental impact of all our operations. We prefer eco-friendly gases in production; we reuse the high-temperature, unburnt air released by feedback in the production process, reducing the amount of energy required. From our production processes to packaging and the materials we use within the organization, we strive to act more eco-consciously as a manufacturer in the insulation sector.

Our most significant recent step in this regard was the Solar Energy System (SES) project, which we initiated at our Silivri production facility with a sustainable future vision and have now completed in our Gaziantep and Sakarya facilities. To meet our electricity needs, we installed 7,088 panels in Silivri, 6,570 in Sakarya, and 5,740 in Gaziantep. With a total power capacity of 9,925 kWp, we continue our energy-efficient, environmentally friendly production.

Every product we manufacture serves the goal of sustainability. With proper insulation, you can save energy while preserving fossil fuel resources, reducing environmental and air pollution. We continue our awareness and training initiatives toward sustainability through İZODER (Association of Heat, Water, Sound, and Fire Insulators) and other industry associations. By acting in line with our responsibilities as individuals and society, we can achieve our sustainability goals.
 

8. Any final remarks with an overall assessment of your industry?

Like every sector, the construction industry is highly competitive. In a competitive environment, there is always a goal to discover more effective and superior solutions, which can bring substantial advancements to the industry. However, the risk of unfair competition can negatively affect both companies and the industry. Our goal should not be short-term gains through imitation or higher sales, but to create value and grow ourselves and our sector sustainably despite challenging economic conditions.

Every product we develop undergoes extensive R&D and product development processes. These products are introduced to customers after passing through rigorous testing and quality control stages. However, we also encounter products in the market that have not undergone such processes. Through our membership in associations and organizations, we work to establish quality standards for products, set application standards, and ensure accuracy in labeling claims, contributing to a healthy competitive environment within the industry.
 

As a company serving in a sector that directly impacts human life, safety, and health, we are aware of our responsibility. We will continue to strive to increase awareness within the industry and society, contributing to meaningful progress for our country.