# Eti Alüminyum Invests $30 Million to Manufacture Aluminum-Lithium for Aerospace and Defense

> Eti Alüminyum, Turkey’s sole integrated and primary aluminum producer, is investing $30 million in a new casting line to manufacture aluminum-lithium alloy, currently produced in only four countries globally: the US, Russia, China, and France. Delivering a 15% weight reduction compared to conventional aluminum, production is scheduled to commence in 2028.

Published: 2026-09-02T09:17:00+00:00
Language: en
Categories: [News](https://chemexworld.com/en/categories/news.md)

Canonical URL:
https://chemexworld.com/en/news/eti-aluminyum-invests-30-million-to-manufacture-aluminum-lithium-for-aerospace-and-defense

## Content

Operating as Turkey’s only fully integrated aluminum facility from bauxite mining to finished product, Eti Alüminyum is expanding its technological capability into strategic alloys. The company announced a **$30 million investment** in a dedicated casting line to produce aluminum-lithium, a critical material currently manufactured exclusively in the US, Russia, China, and France. Production is set to launch in **2028**, establishing Turkey as the fifth manufacturing country globally.

### 15% Lighter with Exceptional Structural Strength

Engineered primarily for critical aerospace applications—including aircraft fuselages, wing spars, and rocket components—aluminum-lithium offers key performance advantages:

- **Weight Reduction:** **15% lighter** than standard aluminum alloys with low material density.
- **Mechanical Properties:** Superior hardness, elevated tensile strength, enhanced fatigue resistance, and exceptional tolerance against creep and corrosion.

### $400 Million Rolling Mill to Launch in Q2 Next Year

Eti Alüminyum's concurrent **$400 million rolling mill** and foundry investment is nearing completion, scheduled to commence operations in the second quarter of next year (2027). The facility will manufacture hot- and cold-rolled flat aluminum products, projected to substitute **$600 million in imports** annually while supplying the defense sector with domestically manufactured materials.

### Renewable Power Portfolio to Reach 321 MW in Solar Capacity

Aiming to meet 100% of its industrial power demand through low-carbon sources, Eti Alüminyum continues to supplement its Oymapınar Hydroelectric Power Plant with substantial solar capacity:

- **Seydişehir Solar Power Plant:** 189 MW operational capacity
- **Gaziantep Solar Power Plant:** 90 MW operational capacity (recently commissioned)
- **Sivas Solar Project (Planned):** 42 MW
- **Total Target Solar Capacity:** 321 MW

![](https://chemexworld.com/storage/uploads/yasar_bayraktar.jpg)

### Executive Statement from Vice General Manager Yaşar Bayraktar

**Yaşar Bayraktar, Vice General Manager of Eti Alüminyum**, stated:

> “Rapidly advancing technology and priority strategic industries continue to expand the functional scope of aluminum. Advanced alloys hold pivotal importance across high-value sectors such as defense, aviation, and space exploration. With its low density and high mechanical performance, aluminum-lithium is one of the most strategic materials for aerospace systems.
>
>
> Aluminum-lithium alloy is 15% lighter than standard aluminum while offering high creep, corrosion, fatigue resistance, hardness, and mechanical strength. It serves as a core material for aircraft fuselages, wing spars, and rocket structural components. Therefore, we regard this production as a vital step supporting Turkey’s aerospace objectives through domestic manufacturing capabilities. Currently, aluminum-lithium is manufactured only in the United States, Russia, China, and France. Once our facility goes live, Turkey will join this select group of nations.”