Arkem B.V. was established in Bussum, Netherlands by Levend Kokuludag, Mark Van Steenis and John Harding. An exclusive contract with NISHHO IWAI Europe PLC, London was signed in order to develop petrochemicals products business in Turkey and the surrounding countries. Arkem B.V. also became the exclusive distributor of Vinyl Acetate Monomer for Quantum Chemicals Corporation,U.S.A and Esters for Eastman Chemicals Corporation U.S.A.
The first cargo containing VAM, EGA, Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Glycol and Ethyl Glycol was dispatched from the US Gulf inbound to Poliport Terminal in Turkey.
The first cargo arrived at Poliport Terminal in Gebze/Turkey.
Arkem B.V. launched its Istanbul office and sales of chemicals were initiated in Turkey and the surrounding countries.s.
Arkem B.V. and NISSHO IWAI Europe PLC rented Altintel Tank Terminal in Gebze exclusively for 5 years. 7 new tanks were built for Arkem which came on stream on the 15th of June,1993.
Arkem Kimya Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. was established by Levend Kokuludag in Istanbul and chemical distribution was started in local currency.
Arkem became exclusive Acrylates distributor of ATOFINA/France in Turkey.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. started to sell industrial chemicals in Turkey. A new department was established within the company and staff was recruited exclusively for this business.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. started representing BP Chemicals Ltd., UK for the distribution of Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Butyl Glycol, Acetone and Isopropanol in Turkey.
Gokbil Nakliyat ve Depolama A.Ş. was established in Istanbul for the purpose of transportation and storage of chemicals. The company started to transport MMA in Turkey.y.
Gokbil Nakliyat ve Depolama A.Ş. expanded its fleet by purchasing 10 new trucks for the transportation of petrochemicals. Additionally, 10 isocontainers were imported for intermodal transportation, which were the first isocontainers introduced in Turkey.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. signed a distribution contract with Kuraray Corporation, Japan for Polyvinyl Alcohol. Kuraray, the world’s largest PVOL producer at the time had recently agreed to purchase the PVOL facilities of Dupont in U.S.A and Europe.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. signed a distribution contract with Sasol Corporation, South Africa for Acetone, MIBK and MEK. The first cargo from S.A. arrived at Turkey in August 1999.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. signed a contract with Condea Augusta, Italy for the distribution of Surfactants and Olefins in Turkey.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. signed a contract with Shell Europe B.V. Chemicals for the distribution of their petrochemicals in Turkey.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. moved its headquarters from Beybi Giz Plaza in Maslak to the recently built Arkem Center in Sarıyer/İstanbul.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. signed a contract with Lyondell Corporation, Netherlands for the distribution of Styrene Monomer in Turkey. Lyondell had recently started to produce Styrene Monomer at their new 600 KT capacity plant in Rotterdam at the beginning of 2004.
Gokbil Nakliyat ve Depolama A.Ş. moved to its new warehouse in Gebze/Kocaeli in order to expand its activities in Turkey.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. signed a distribution contract for Butyl and Ethyl Acrylate with Sasol Dia Acrylates Ltd. /South Africa.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş signed a distribution contract for Styrene Monomer with Shell Chemicals Europe B.V /Netherlands.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. started negotiations for the acquisition of Altıntel Tank Terminal A.Ş. in Gebze and signed a purchase framework agreement.
Arkem Endustriyel Kimya A.Ş. was established in order to concentrate on specialty chemicals distribution.
After 2 years of negotiations and bureaucratic processes, Altıntel Tank Terminal A.Ş. was acquired by Arkem Kimya A.Ş.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. signed a contract with Chevron Philips USA for the distribution of Styrene Monomer in Turkey. Chevron Phillips had recently started the production of Stryene Monomer in Saudi Arabia with a capacity of 750 KT.
Arkem Chemicals Shanghai (Co.) Ltd. was established in China. It was one of the very few Turkish companies established in China at that time.
Arkem Chemicals Inc. USA was established in Houston,Texas.
Arkem Chemicals Europe B.V. was established in Utrech, The Netherlands.
Exxon Mobil, Turkey chose Altıntel for the storage of their lube oil products and Altintel Port and Terminal A.Ş. signed a long-term rental contract.
Altintel Port and Terminal A.Ş. received the Şahabettin Bilgisu Environment Award of the year given by Kocaeli Chamber of Industry.
Altintel Port and Terminal A.Ş. became one of the five green ports in Turkey.
Gokbil Lojistik A.Ş. acquired the first ADR certificate given in Turkey from the Ministry of Transportation.
Arkem Kimya A.Ş. became exclusive distributor of SABIC for Acetone in Turkey. SABIC corporation. Saudi Arabia is the second largest chemicals production company in the world