The quality of logistics management is as decisive for the end user as the technical quality of the aggregate supply process. Delivering the raw material to be used on the production line at the right time, in the right packaging, and under the right conditions is a critical factor that protects the production schedule. At Alpay Doğaltaş, as we deliver calcite and dolomite aggregate sourced from various deposits, primarily the Saraylar area of Marmara Island, to the site or factory with packaging options that match the user's needs, we apply specific technical principles at every stage of the shipment and storage processes.
Packaging selection is the first step in logistics planning. For industrial users, three different packaging options are commonly evaluated. The first is the standard ton-based big bag application. One-ton or 1.5-ton big bags offer a hygienic solution for both storage and transfer. When big bags made of polypropylene woven fabric are reinforced with a moisture-protective inner liner, the raw material is protected against atmospheric conditions. The second option is kraft paper or polyethylene bags in the 25-50 kg range. These small packages are generally preferred for retail outlets, landscape applications, and small-scale users. The third option is bulk loading.
Bulk loading is the most economical form of shipment for large-scale industrial users. Concrete batching plants, prefabricated production facilities, and large infrastructure sites take delivery via direct bulk loading into silo or open-bed trucks. With this method the packaging cost is eliminated, but a closed-bed or silo system should be preferred to protect the raw material from moisture. In bulk loading with open-bed trucks, covering the aggregate surface with a tarp both protects against precipitation and prevents dust emission along the route. Trailer-bed cleanliness and moisture control before loading are part of our standard procedures in the bulk batches we supply.
Container loading is the principal method for export shipments. For supply to Romania, Bulgaria, and other European markets, 20-foot and 40-foot containers are used. A 20-foot container has an average capacity of 25 to 28 tons of aggregate, while 40-foot containers offer a volume advantage but are limited by weight. Big bags loaded into a container must withstand the vibration and humidity conditions of sea transport. For this reason, big bags used for export shipments are prepared with a double-layer inner liner and UV-protected outer fabric. The arrangement of big bags inside the container is planned to ensure load balance and ease of unloading.
Moisture protection is one of the most critical technical issues in aggregate logistics. Calcite and dolomite aggregate is hydrophilic by nature, meaning it can absorb moisture onto its surface to a certain degree. A raw material with high moisture can cause imbalances in polymer and paint formulations on the production line, and disrupt the water-cement ratio in a concrete mix. For this reason, the moisture value is aimed to be kept below 0.5 percent in both shipment and storage stages. In the batches we supply, moisture is measured in two stages, before loading and at the moment of delivery. In storage areas, preventing the raw material from direct contact with soil, using pallet systems, and applying top covers are the basic precautions.
