Turkey stands out as one of the leading sources of stone and marble in the world, boasting diverse quarries spread across the nation. This industry encompasses a complex sequence of steps, ranging from extracting marble blocks from mountains to delivering the final product to consumers worldwide.
Turkey possesses vast reserves of stone and marble. According to research, Turkey holds about 40% of the world’s natural stone mines. Consequently, Turkey is one of the world’s top producers and suppliers of stone and marble, exporting its products to over 150 countries.
1. Extracting Marble Blocks from Turkish Quarries: At the heart of this process is the extraction of marble blocks from quarries dispersed across all Turkish provinces. Quarry workers use heavy machinery and advanced technology to carefully extract these blocks. Typically, cutting within quarries involves the use of advanced diamond blade saws, diamond wires, sophisticated heavy drilling equipment, and cutting marble blocks on the quarry floor.
Stone and marble quarries are widespread in Turkey. In the west, travertine and beige marble are prevalent in cities like Denizli and Izmir. The south has white limestone in Antalya and Alanya, and beige marbles like Burdur Beige. The southwest is famous for Muğla marble, while the southeast offers Taurus black marble from Hatay. Central Anatolia, with cities like Konya and Isparta, hosts a variety of marbles, including luxurious gray and Tundra Gray. Eastern Elazığ is known for its Cherry Marble, with other eastern quarries in Batman and Erzurum. The north boasts quarries in Kastamonu and Samsun, while the northwest, with Bursa and Kütahya, offers diverse marble shades.
Following the extraction of large and small blocks, they are transported to advanced Turkish factories.
2. Transport to Advanced Manufacturing Units: After extraction, the blocks are transported to specialized manufacturing units in Turkey, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and adhering to European and global quality standards.
3. Slab Cutting in Various Thicknesses: Upon arrival, the marble blocks are cut into slabs of varying thicknesses to meet diverse customer requirements. Advanced equipment, such as diamond blade saws, is utilized for this process. Alternatively, smaller rocks are cut into different sizes as per demand, using diamond blade saws, commonly referred to as ‘asta’.
4. Polishing and Treating Marble Slabs: After cutting, the slabs undergo treatment to fill minor gaps with chemicals and epoxy, and some types of Turkish marble surfaces are reinforced with mesh. During processing, adhesives and colors matching the marble’s hue are used to maintain its elegance. Travertine, in particular, might receive treatments like cement with colors and hardeners or epoxy to address its natural pores.
5. Manufacturing of Final Products: Final slabs are utilized in crafting a variety of products, including flooring, kitchen marble, household utensils, wall surfaces, and more. Crafting these products demands precision and skill to achieve high quality. Some slabs are selected based on their natural veins to form exquisite artistic designs used in grand halls, luxury hotels, and opulent villas. These products find their place in upscale lounges, hotels, houses, villas, kitchens, and are used for external facades. Some marble cubes are carved into ornaments, cornices, columns, and arches to adorn exterior facades and luxurious office and home interiors. Notably, Afyonkarahisar in central Anatolia, Turkey, is a global hub for marble production. The city receives rocks from all over Turkey, processes them with the finest machinery, and exports via the port of Izmir.
Also read: Turkish Marble Colors and Types – Discover its Unique Patterns and Stunning Shades.
6. Packaging: Once manufactured, products are carefully packed in protective boxes to ensure they reach their final destination safely.
7. Distributing to End Customers: Final products are distributed globally, reaching wholesalers, large-scale projects, or individuals seeking luxurious and beautiful items. This is achieved through a network of marketers and traders that cater to the entire globe in various languages, especially the Arab world, North America, India, and China.
8. Exporting Turkish Marble Through Turkish Ports: Turkey boasts modern and well-equipped ports facilitating international shipping. Due to its strategic location and advanced infrastructure, Turkey is a pivotal gateway for stone and marble exports worldwide.
Major Turkish Marble Export Ports: Turkey is home to numerous essential ports used for exporting marble and natural stone worldwide. Some of the most prominent ports include:
- Iskenderun Port: Located in the Hatay region of southern Turkey, it’s one of the country’s largest ports and plays a significant role in exporting marble and natural stone.
- Mersin Port: Situated in the city of Mersin, also in southern Turkey, it stands as one of the Mediterranean’s largest ports, serving various exports, including marble and stone.
- Izmir Port: Located in the city of Izmir on Turkey’s western coast, this port is one of the most significant Mediterranean connectors, extensively used for marble and stone exports.
- Amasra Port: Positioned in the city of Amasra on Turkey’s northern coast along the Black Sea, this port facilitates the export of natural stone and marble from the region.
- Antalya Port: Situated on Turkey’s southern coast, this port handles various exports, including marble and stone.
The selection of ports in Turkey is influenced by the location of quarries and marble factories, the export destination, and the advanced port network with custom facilities for exporters and marble traders.