1970IPM's story begins when its founder, Ali İper, initiates geological exploration and feasibility studies across the Bergama–Kınık and Yuntdağı volcanic areas in the Aegean region of Türkiye. The discovery of substantial perlite reserves with varied geological and performance characteristics establishes the resource base on which IPM will build its future operations.
1972İzmir Perlit Madencilik ve Sanayi Limited Şirketi is established as the first company in the organisation. During this initial period, the business concentrates on extracting and supplying raw perlite ore for construction applications, laying the commercial foundations for its long-term development.
1980Bülent İper joins the company as the second generation of the family. Over the following four decades he takes on progressively wider responsibility, and from 1980 to 2022 leads the business through its transformation from a raw ore supplier into an industrial group.
1981Perlisan Madencilik ve İnşaat Limited Şirketi is established as demand emerges from the filtration sector. The company supplies carefully selected raw perlite from its deposits to specialist processors, extending the business beyond its original construction market while remaining focused on unprocessed ore.
1982The establishment of Perlitaş İstanbul Perlit Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi marks IPM's first major step beyond raw material supply. By introducing industrial processing and developing exports of finished perlite products, IPM begins building the integrated production and international supply structure that will define its future growth.
1992İPM İperlit Madencilik ve İnşaat Limited Şirketi is established in response to growing demand for perlite and the expansion of its industrial applications. By operating its own licensed quarries alongside those held by İzmir Perlit and Perlisan, the company becomes the organisation's principal raw perlite production operation and brings extraction activities under a coordinated structure.
1999Diperlit Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi is established and the Yayakent plant enters operation as a conventional crushing and screening facility. Further investment progressively adds milling, multi-frequency screening and air-classification capabilities, transforming the plant into a versatile processing centre able to serve an expanding range of particle-size and application requirements.
2003The operating rights for Dikili Port are acquired through Dikili Liman ve Turizm İşletmeleri Ticaret Anonim Şirketi, an affiliated company in which IPM is both a shareholder and an active management partner. Investment in covered storage, cargo-handling equipment and port infrastructure gives IPM greater control over bulk exports and creates a direct connection between production planning and international shipment.
2012The Maruflar processing plant undergoes comprehensive modernisation. The investment improves efficiency, capacity and process control, enabling the plant to deliver a broader range of classified perlite grades with greater consistency.
2013IPM acquires a 20% equity interest in Minerales y Fillers, S.L. as an investor. This investment establishes an industrial foothold in Spain and creates a platform for the future development of IPM's expanded and advanced perlite operations in Europe.
2014IPM begins developing a European network of strategically located warehouses and logistics points. By holding products closer to customers and coordinating deliveries from within Europe, the company strengthens supply continuity and introduces more flexible call-off and just-in-time delivery models.
2017IPM Industries Germany GmbH is established to support the company's growing customer base in Central Europe. The new operation brings commercial coordination, warehousing and logistics management closer to the markets served, reinforcing IPM's long-term presence in the region.
2018Diperlit Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi and Perlitaş İstanbul Perlit Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi merge under İPM Endüstriyel Madencilik Anonim Şirketi. The merger brings production and commercial activities into a unified corporate structure, supporting coordinated investment, operational control and international growth.
2019IPM moves to its new headquarters and completes a major expansion at the Yayakent plant. The investment further develops the plant's milling, screening and air-classification capabilities, enabling tighter particle-size control and a wider range of application-specific classified perlite grades.
2021New production lines are commissioned for advanced and application-specific perlite products. At the same time, wider use of digital systems strengthens production monitoring, internal coordination and remote operational capabilities across the organisation.
2022IPM acquires full ownership of the Kınık processing plant. Its integration into the production network increases operational flexibility and strengthens IPM's capacity to supply classified perlite for direct industrial use and as carefully specified feed for expansion plants.
2023IPM begins investing in renewable energy infrastructure as part of its long-term approach to responsible production. Additional capacity is also introduced at the Maruflar plant, supporting growing demand while improving the balance and flexibility of the processing network.
2025At the Yayakent plant in Türkiye, IPM invests in new processing technology for micron-scale, ultra-fine classified perlite grades produced without expansion. In Spain, dedicated production lines for MinaLite and MinaCare are installed at the group's Viguera facility, extending production beyond conventional expanded perlite into specialised fillers and personal-care grades.
2026The wind power plant in Bergama enters operation, generating renewable electricity equivalent to the consumption of IPM's mining and processing activities in Türkiye.In the same year, IPM becomes the majority shareholder in Minerales y Fillers, S.L. The founding Planas family remains a shareholder and continues in the partnership. Minafil retains its name, technical team and customer relationships built over four decades.