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  1. Home
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  3. Beauty & Personal Care
  4. Duru
Duru logo
Beauty & Personal Care

Who Owns Duru?

Duru is owned by Evyap, a privately held Turkish personal care company founded in 1927 by Mehmet Rıfat Evyap. Evyap launched Duru in 1967 as its flagship beauty soap brand. Duru is sold in over 100 countries and holds top-two market positions in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Poland, Azerbaijan, and several other markets. Evyap is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey, and operates manufacturing facilities in Turkey, Egypt, and Malaysia. The company is privately held by the Evyap family and is not publicly traded.

Parent Company

Evyap

Founded

1967

Status

Private

Headquarters

Istanbul, Turkey

Duru Timeline

1927
Evyap

Parent company established in Istanbul, Turkey

Company Founded
1967

Duru

Founded by Evyap (internal development)

Founded
budgetmass marketEuropeunisexcruelty freevegan certifiednatural ingredientssustainable packagingbiodegradable formulasOfficial Website

Who Owns Duru?

  • Parent Company: Evyap
  • Ownership Type: Wholly owned
  • Company Type: Privately Held
BrandParent CompanyOwnership Type
DuruEvyapWholly owned

Where to Buy

Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
AmazonDuru on Amazon

History of Duru

  • Founded: 1967
  • Founders: Evyap (internal development)

Evyap introduced Duru in 1967 as its flagship beauty soap brand. The company had been manufacturing soap since its founding in 1927, and Duru represented its first major consumer brand. The name "Duru" means "clear" or "pure" in Turkish, reflecting the brand's positioning around natural ingredients and clean formulations.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Duru expanded across Turkey and into neighboring countries. The brand's combination of natural ingredients (olive oil, coconut, shea butter), attractive packaging, and competitive pricing helped it gain market share against both local and international soap brands.

By the 1990s, Duru had established top-two market positions in numerous countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Poland, and Azerbaijan. The brand's success in these markets was driven by Evyap's manufacturing scale, which allowed competitive pricing, and the brand's emphasis on natural ingredients that resonated with consumers in these regions.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Duru expanded its product line beyond traditional bar soaps to include liquid soaps, shower gels, and specialized formulations. The brand introduced the Vegan Milks collection, using plant-based ingredients, and expanded its range of natural ingredient variants including olive oil, avocado, aloe vera, shea butter, cucumber, and coconut.

In recent years, Duru has benefited from Evyap's digital transformation initiatives, including expanded e-commerce presence through Evyapshop.com and increased investment in digital marketing. The brand has also emphasized its cruelty-free and vegan certifications to appeal to younger, more health-conscious consumers.

About Evyap

What does Evyap own?
Evyap owns and operates 15 personal care brands including Duru, Arko, Activex, Evy Baby, Gibbs, Fax, and Sanino. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and also operates Evyapport, Turkey's fourth largest private port. Evyap Life Chemistry, the oleochemical division, serves more than 600 customers across 55 countries. 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 operates manufacturing facilities in Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

How many brands does Evyap own?
Evyap owns 15 brands across personal care categories, including Duru, Arko, Activex, Evy Baby, Gibbs, Fax, 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. Activex is the clear leader in Turkey's liquid soap category.

Is Evyap sustainable?
Evyap maintains comprehensive sustainability practices with ISO 9001 quality management certification, GMP certification for cosmetics manufacturing, ISO 27001 information security certification, and RSPO certification for sustainable palm oil sourcing (Evyap Malaysia). The company focuses on environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and regulatory compliance across its operations.

What is the new Evyap Indonesia plant?
In February 2026, Evyap opened a $130 million manufacturing facility in Indonesia's Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone, North Sumatra. Operated by PT Evyap Sabun Indonesia, the plant produces palm oil-derived products including fatty acids, glycerin, soap noodles, and finished soap products. It has three production lines with a combined annual capacity of 650,000 tonnes and benefits from tax exemptions of up to 20 years.

  • Founded: 1927
  • Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
  • Company Type: Privately Held
  • Revenue: not publicly disclosed (private); Evyap Malaysia revenue RM2.3 billion (2025)
  • Employees: Approximately 3,000+

Visit Evyap website

View full company profile for Evyap

Where Is Duru Made / Based?

  • Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
  • Manufacturing / Operations: Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia

Duru Categories & Tags

SoapBeautyBathNaturalTurkish BrandSoap Brand

Duru Sustainability & Ethics

Duru has built its brand positioning around natural ingredients and ethical manufacturing practices.

Cruelty-Free: Duru explicitly states that its products are not tested on animals. The brand holds cruelty-free certifications for its product lines, providing consumers with assurance regarding ethical manufacturing practices.

Vegan-Certified Products: Duru offers vegan-certified product lines, particularly the Vegan Milks collection, which uses plant-based ingredients without animal-derived components. This line has been expanded in recent years to meet growing consumer demand for vegan personal care products.

Natural Ingredients: Duru prioritizes natural ingredients including olive oil, avocado, aloe vera, shea butter, cucumber, and coconut. The brand emphasizes formulations that avoid harsh chemicals and synthetic additives where possible. Biodegradable formulas are used to minimize environmental impact.

Sustainable Packaging: Duru has incorporated sustainable packaging practices, working to reduce environmental footprint through eco-friendly packaging solutions. Evyap has implemented packaging reduction initiatives across its brand portfolio, including Duru.

Manufacturing Standards: Evyap operates manufacturing facilities in Turkey, Egypt, and Malaysia with adherence to environmental and labor standards. The company has implemented water conservation measures and carbon reduction initiatives across its facilities. However, Evyap does not publish detailed sustainability reports or brand-specific environmental data for Duru.

Regulatory Compliance: Duru maintains compliance with European Union cosmetics regulations and environmental standards, ensuring product safety and environmental responsibility throughout the supply chain. Products sold in the EU comply with the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.

Awards & Recognition

Duru has not received significant standalone brand awards, but the brand's market position and Evyap's corporate achievements provide notable recognition:

  • Market Leadership: Duru holds top-two soap market positions in over 10 countries including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Poland, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Albania, and Moldova. This market dominance reflects strong consumer recognition and trust.
  • Top 100 Turkish Industrial Firms: Evyap, Duru's parent company, has been recognized as one of Turkey's top 100 industrial firms, reflecting the company's manufacturing scale and economic contribution.
  • Export Excellence: Duru contributes to Turkey's position as a leading exporter of soap and personal care products. The brand's presence in over 100 countries represents significant export success for Evyap and for Turkish manufacturing.
  • Consumer Loyalty: Duru's 50+ year history of consumer satisfaction, particularly in Mediterranean and Eastern European markets, demonstrates sustained market approval and brand loyalty.

Duru Recalls & Controversies

Duru has maintained a clean record with no major product recalls or significant controversies documented in available public sources. The brand's 50+ year operating history suggests consistent product safety and quality control.

Quality Control: Duru benefits from Evyap's comprehensive quality management systems, which include product and process quality controls across all three manufacturing facilities. Each facility is subject to regular internal audits and external regulatory inspections.

Regulatory Compliance: Duru products comply with international cosmetics regulations, including EU Cosmetics Regulation standards and requirements for each export market. This regulatory adherence has contributed to the brand's clean safety record.

No Documented Incidents: Public research indicates no significant product safety incidents, consumer lawsuits, or regulatory actions specifically involving Duru products. The brand's long-standing presence in international markets across over 100 countries suggests consistent product quality and safety performance.

Counterfeit Concerns: Like many successful consumer brands in emerging markets, Duru may face counterfeit product issues in some regions, though no major counterfeit-related controversies have been publicly documented. Evyap's quality control and distribution network help mitigate this risk.

Brands Owned by Evyap

ActivexBeauty Personal Care

Activex

Owned by Evyap

Turkish antibacterial soap and personal hygiene brand owned by Evyap, one of Turkey's largest consumer goods manufacturers. Activex uses silver ion technology and is sold primarily in Turkey and Middle Eastern markets.

antibacterialsoappersonal-hygiene
ArkoBeauty Personal Care

Arko

Owned by Evyap

Turkish brand of men's grooming and shaving products manufactured and marketed by Evyap, known for affordable quality shaving soaps.

shavingsoapmens
Evy BabyBaby Care

Evy Baby

Owned by Evyap

Turkish brand of baby care and gentle personal care products manufactured by Evyap, formulated for sensitive infant skin. Sold in over 100 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

babycaregentle
FaxBeauty Personal Care

Fax

Owned by Evyap

Mass-market soap and personal care brand owned by Evyap, sold in over 100 countries with strong positions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

soappersonal-careaffordable
GibbsBeauty Personal Care

Gibbs

Owned by Evyap

Men's personal care and grooming brand owned by Evyap, a privately held Turkish personal care company founded in 1927. Gibbs offers shaving products, deodorants, and grooming items primarily in European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian markets.

personal-caregroomingmens-grooming
SaninoHousehold Consumer Goods

Sanino

Owned by Evyap

Turkish personal care brand owned by Evyap, known primarily for toothpaste and oral care products sold in Ukraine and Eastern European markets.

toothpasteoral-carepersonal-care
View all brands owned by Evyap

Duru Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • +Nearly 60 years of brand heritage and consumer trust in the beauty soap category
  • +Top-two market positions in numerous countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, providing strong recurring revenue
  • +Evyap's three-continent manufacturing network (Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia) enables cost-efficient production and regional distribution
  • +The brand's natural ingredient positioning (olive oil, shea butter, coconut) aligns with growing consumer demand for natural personal care products
  • +Cruelty-free and vegan certifications appeal to health-conscious and ethically minded consumers
  • +Evyap's private ownership allows long-term strategic planning without quarterly earnings pressure

Considerations

  • -Limited brand awareness in Western Europe and North America compared to multinational competitors like Dove and Nivea
  • -Private ownership structure limits access to external capital for acquisitions or rapid market expansion
  • -The brand is concentrated in specific geographic regions (Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East), creating exposure to regional economic and political risks
  • -Smaller marketing budgets than multinational consumer goods companies restrict Duru's ability to build awareness in new markets
  • -The soap market faces long-term competition from body wash and shower gel formats, though Duru has expanded into these categories
  • -Evyap does not disclose detailed financial data, making it difficult to assess Duru's standalone performance

Frequently Asked Questions About Duru

Sources & Further Reading

  • Duru Official Website -
  • Duru US Website -
  • Duru About Page -
  • Evyap Corporate Website -
  • Evyap About Us -
  • Buy From Turkey: Duru Brand Information -
  • Amazon Duru Store -
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation -
  • Fairfield Market Research: Turkish Personal Care Market -
  • Wikidata: Duru -

Competitors to Duru

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

BrandParent CompanyCountryFoundedMarket PositionPrimary MarketGender Target
DoveDove
Unilever
United Kingdom
1957
Mass marketGlobalWomens
LuxLux
Unilever
United Kingdom
1923
Mass marketGlobalAll Genders
ActivexActivexSister Brand
Evyap
Turkey
2003
Mass marketTurkeyAll Genders
FaxFaxSister Brand
Evyap
Turkey
1970
Mass marketEuropeUnisex

Learn More About Competitors

DoveBeauty Personal Care

Dove

Owned by Unilever plc

Personal care brand owned by Unilever, known for beauty bars and skincare products. Over $5 billion in annual revenue.

skincarebeautysoap
LuxBeauty Personal Care

Lux

Owned by Unilever plc

Global beauty soap and body wash brand owned by Unilever. Launched in 1923 as the world first mass-market beauty soap, now sold in over 100 countries with annual revenue exceeding 1.2 billion euros.

soapbody-washbeauty
ActivexBeauty Personal Care

Activex

Owned by Evyap

Turkish antibacterial soap and personal hygiene brand owned by Evyap, one of Turkey's largest consumer goods manufacturers. Activex uses silver ion technology and is sold primarily in Turkey and Middle Eastern markets.

antibacterialsoappersonal-hygiene
FaxBeauty Personal Care

Fax

Owned by Evyap

Mass-market soap and personal care brand owned by Evyap, sold in over 100 countries with strong positions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

soappersonal-careaffordable

Competitive Analysis

Market Positioning: Duru competes with 4 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.

Independent Alternatives to Duru

Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Evyap, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.

Great ClipsBeauty Personal Care

Great Clips

Owned by Great Clips, Inc.

Value hair salon franchise brand owned by Great Clips, Inc. and operated through more than 4,400 franchisee-owned salons.

hair-salonshaircutsfranchising
Privately Owned

Great Clips operates independently without a large parent corporation.

Pond'sBeauty Personal Care

Pond's

Owned by Unilever plc

Global mass-market skincare brand owned by Unilever, founded in 1846 and known for cold cream, vanishing cream, and affordable skincare products sold in over 50 countries.

skincarecold-creambeauty
Publicly Traded

Pond's is owned by Unilever plc, a public company, a different structure than Duru's parent.

Simply BasicBeauty Personal Care

Simply Basic

Owned by Walmart Inc.

Walmart's private label brand offering essential personal care and beauty products designed to meet everyday needs at affordable prices.

personal-carebeautyessential-products
Publicly Traded

Simply Basic is owned by Walmart Inc., a public company, a different structure than Duru's parent.

CamayBeauty Personal Care

Camay

Owned by Unilever plc

American soap brand known for its moisturizing properties, floral scents, and gentle cleansing formulations.

moisturizing-soapfloral-soapbeauty-soap
Publicly Traded

Camay is owned by Unilever plc, a public company, a different structure than Duru's parent.

Clean & ClearBeauty Personal Care

Clean & Clear

Owned by Kenvue

American skincare brand producing facial cleansers, moisturizers, and acne treatments for teens and young women, owned by Kenvue Inc.

skincarefacial-cleanseracne-treatment
Publicly Traded

Clean & Clear is owned by Kenvue, a public company, a different structure than Duru's parent.

Close-UpBeauty Personal Care

Close-Up

Owned by Unilever plc

Global oral care brand owned by Unilever, launched in 1967 as the world's first transparent gel toothpaste.

toothpasteoral-caredental
Publicly Traded

Close-Up is owned by Unilever plc, a public company, a different structure than Duru's parent.

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Last reviewed: August 1, 2026 · Reviewed by Who Brands Editorial Team