The General Directorate of Tea Enterprises (ÇAYKUR) in partnership with Çaysan has commissioned a tea extract processing plant in the Kalkandere Free Zone, capable of producing 10 thousand tons of tea fiber and waste annually. The plant will produce tea extract, a key ingredient in tea bags, and continue product development. The natural tea extract, sold domestically for 7 euros per kilogram, will be the nation's first indigenous extract and is expected to boost competition and provide foreign currency inflow through exports. The plant is also set to convert waste into organic fertilizers.