Who Owns Activex?
Activex is owned by Evyap Sabun Yag Gliserin Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., a privately held Turkish consumer goods company headquartered in Istanbul. Evyap is one of the largest soap and personal care manufacturers in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia region. Activex is not publicly traded and Evyap is not listed on any stock exchange. The brand uses silver ion antibacterial technology and is manufactured in Turkey.
Parent Company
Evyap
Founded
2003
Status
Private
Headquarters
Istanbul, Turkey
Who Owns Activex?
- Parent Company: Evyap
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Activex | Evyap | Wholly owned |
History of Activex
- Founded: 2003
- Founders: Evyap Product Development Team
Evyap introduced Activex to the Turkish market in the early 2000s, positioning it as a premium antibacterial soap brand differentiated from standard soap products by its use of silver ion technology. Silver ions have known antimicrobial properties, and the brand's marketing positioned Activex as providing longer-lasting antibacterial protection than conventional antibacterial soaps using triclosan or other chemical agents.
The brand launched at a time when antibacterial personal care products were gaining significant consumer attention globally, driven by increased awareness of hygiene and infection prevention. Activex established itself quickly in Turkey's competitive personal care market, achieving broad retail distribution through supermarkets, pharmacies, and general merchandise stores.
Over the following decade, Evyap expanded the Activex line from bar soap into shower gel, liquid hand soap, deodorant, and surface cleaning products. The brand became Evyap's most heavily marketed property, appearing in national television advertising campaigns across Turkey and in export markets.
Activex's antibacterial positioning gained additional commercial relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic period beginning in 2020, when consumer demand for antibacterial personal care products increased substantially across all markets. Evyap expanded production capacity and distribution during this period to meet elevated demand.
About Evyap
What does Evyap own?
Evyap owns and operates seven major personal care brands: Duru, Arko, Evy Baby, Gibbs, Fax, Activex, and Sanino. The company also operates Evyapport, Turkey's fourth largest private port, and manufacturing facilities in Turkey, Egypt, and Malaysia. Evyap provides contracted manufacturing services for leading international brands.
Is Evyap publicly traded?
No, Evyap is a privately held company owned and controlled by the Evyap family. The company does not have publicly traded shares and is not listed on any stock exchange, allowing it to maintain long-term strategic focus without public market pressures.
Who founded Evyap?
Evyap was founded in 1927 by Mehmet Rıfat Evyap in Erzurum, Turkey. The company started as a small soap atelier and has grown into one of the world's leading personal care manufacturers under nearly a century of family leadership.
Where is Evyap headquartered?
Evyap is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, where the company maintains its corporate offices, research and development center, and primary strategic operations. The company also operates manufacturing facilities in Turkey, Egypt, and Malaysia.
How many brands does Evyap own?
Evyap owns seven major brands across personal care categories: Duru, Arko, Evy Baby, Gibbs, Fax, Activex, and Sanino. Together, these brands offer more than 500 products serving consumers in over 100 countries worldwide.
Who owns Evyap?
Evyap is owned by the Evyap family, descendants of founder Mehmet Rıfat Evyap. The company has remained under family ownership and control since its founding in 1927, with no external shareholders or public trading.
What is Evyap's market position?
Evyap ranks among the top 100 industrial companies in Turkey and holds dominant positions in soap markets across Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The company ranks among the top two soap brands in countries including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Poland, and Azerbaijan.
Is Evyap sustainable?
Evyap maintains comprehensive sustainability practices with ISO 9001 quality management certification, GMP certification for cosmetics manufacturing, and ISO 27001 information security certification. The company focuses on environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and regulatory compliance across its operations.
- Founded: 1927
- Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: not publicly disclosed
- Employees: Approximately 3,000-4,000
Where Is Activex Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
- Manufacturing / Operations: Turkey
Activex Sustainability & Ethics
Evyap does not publish a formal sustainability report equivalent to those published by publicly traded multinational consumer goods companies. The company has not disclosed carbon emissions targets, renewable energy commitments, or formal supply chain audit programs in the public domain as of May 2025.
Activex products sold in the European Union are subject to EU Cosmetics Regulation requirements, including ingredient safety assessments and labeling compliance. Evyap is required to comply with applicable Turkish and export market regulations for cosmetic products.
The use of silver ions in personal care products has been subject to regulatory scrutiny in some markets. In the European Union, certain silver ion applications in consumer products are regulated under the Biocidal Products Regulation. Evyap's compliance with applicable regulations in each market is a regulatory requirement for legal sale.
Evyap has not disclosed whether its manufacturing facilities hold ISO 14001 environmental management certification or equivalent third-party environmental certifications.
Awards & Recognition
Evyap and Activex have received recognition in Turkish business and consumer awards. Activex has been recognized in Turkish consumer brand surveys as a leading antibacterial personal care brand in the domestic market. Specific independently verifiable award citations from international third-party bodies are not available in the public record as of May 2025.
Evyap has been recognized in Turkish export achievement awards for its success in building export markets across the MENAT region.
Activex Recalls & Controversies
Silver Ion Claims Scrutiny: The antibacterial efficacy claims associated with silver ion technology in consumer products have been subject to regulatory and scientific scrutiny in multiple markets. Regulatory bodies in the European Union and United States have required evidence-based substantiation for antibacterial duration claims on consumer products. Evyap has marketed Activex with specific protection duration claims, and the basis for these claims is subject to ongoing regulatory review in different markets.
Triclosan Regulatory Analogy: While Activex uses silver ion technology rather than triclosan, the broader regulatory environment for antibacterial personal care products has become more restrictive following the U.S. FDA's 2016 ruling that effectively banned triclosan from consumer hand soaps due to insufficient evidence of efficacy and safety concerns. This regulatory trend has influenced how antibacterial personal care brands globally substantiate their product claims.
No Product Recalls: No publicly documented product safety recall or regulatory enforcement action specifically against Activex has been recorded in Turkish, EU, or international regulatory databases as of May 2025.
Brands Owned by Evyap
- Arko - Turkish brand of men's grooming and shaving products manufactured and marketed b...
- Duru - Turkish brand of beauty and bath soaps manufactured and marketed by Evyap, known...
- Evy Baby - Turkish brand of baby care and gentle personal care products manufactured and ma...
- Fax - Turkish brand of soap and personal care products manufactured and marketed by Ev...
- Gibbs - Turkish brand of personal care and grooming products manufactured and marketed b...
- Sanino - Turkish brand of household cleaning and personal care products manufactured and ...
Activex Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Evyap's established manufacturing and distribution infrastructure in Turkey and export markets provides Activex with cost-effective production and broad regional reach
- +Private ownership insulates the brand from short-term public market pressure, allowing Evyap to invest in long-term brand building
- +Activex holds a leading position in the Turkish antibacterial personal care market, giving it strong domestic market leverage with retailers
Considerations
- -Evyap's private status means no public financial transparency, making it impossible for trade partners, consumers, or analysts to independently verify company health or governance standards
- -Activex competes against significantly larger multinational brands (Dettol, Lifebuoy) with greater global marketing and R&D budgets
- -The regulatory environment for antibacterial personal care claims is tightening globally, creating potential compliance risk for silver ion efficacy claims in export markets
- -The brand's geographic concentration in Turkey and the MENAT region limits international brand recognition outside its core markets
Frequently Asked Questions About Activex
Sources & Further Reading
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Activex
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unilever | Netherlands | 1894 | Mass market | Global | Unisex |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Activex competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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