KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Turkish integrated chemical manufacturing company Evyap Holding AS plans to shift its manufacturing facility from Turkey to Malaysia by year-end.

Dr Martin Rudolph, vice-president of its Malaysian subsidiary, Evyap Sabun Malaysia Sdn Bhd, said the existing plant in Tanjung Langsat, Johor would absorb the production capacity from Turkey.

He said the Johor facility would be its regional hub for the production of bath soap, catering to the global export market.

Speaking to reporters during a briefing here today, he said, the shift in production facility to Malaysia would result in significant cost savings for the company.

He said the company had invested US$200 million so far in the plant and still had an additional 40 per cent of idle land for future expansion.

The Johor facility, which commenced operation in 2014, has an annual production capacity of 350,000 tonnes of chemical products, comprising soap (150,000 tonnes), fatty acids (175,000 tonnes) and glycerin (25,000 tonnes).

Rudolph said the shift in production facility was in line with the company's decision to shift the feedstock of its soaps from tallow to palm oil in 2010.

He said in line with the manufacturing facility shift, the company planned to ramp up production to 150,000 tonnes annually this year from 136,000 tonnes annually for its captive consumption.

Founded in 1927, Evyap is one of the world's largest privately owned soap manufacturers with a global footprint in over 100 countries.