2025 was a year when the composite industry matured and transitioned to sustainable growth. 2026 will strengthen Turkey's goal of becoming a high value-added composite production center, compatible with the circular economy.
Kemal DARCAN
Composites Manufacturers Association (KSD)
Chairman of the Board
2025 was a year in which the composite industry solidified its technological maturity and scaled up in commercial applications. Starting with the post-pandemic recovery, 2025 saw the recovery in supply chains, acceleration of energy transformation projects, and increasing demand for lightweight materials, making composite materials prominent in many sectors. The global composite market approached approximately 100 billion USD by 2025. Thermoplastic composites, in particular, became the main driver of growth in terms of sustainability and production flexibility.
The aerospace industry has made composites indispensable in aircraft designs. In 2025, with the increase in commercial aircraft deliveries, the share of thermoplastic composites also rose. These materials stand out especially for their recyclable structures and repairable properties. In 2026, this trend is expected to be further strengthened by local supplier integration and international certification processes.
In the renewable energy transition, wind turbine blades are of strategic importance thanks to the durability and lightness of composite materials. There is strong growth potential for the wind blade composite market in the 2025–2030 period; however, supply pressure from China and cost differences are challenging competitive conditions for manufacturers in Europe and Turkey. For Turkey, this situation brings niche investment opportunities in areas such as blade production, mold technologies, and intermediate material supply.
One of the biggest criticisms that composite materials have faced for many years is the difficulty of recycling. During the 2024–2025 period, R&D investments in this area have significantly increased. The CIRCLE project carried out by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and the 'Circular Composites' guides developed by the European Composite Industry Association (EuCIA) have accelerated the adoption of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) standards in the sector. In 2026, expectations for recyclable products and sustainable supply chain practices will create a new competitive advantage in the sector.
2025 marked a turning point for the Turkish composite industry, where sectoral balances were reshaped. While demand for composite materials strengthened with energy, defense, aerospace, and infrastructure projects, dependence on foreign basic inputs such as fibers and resins continues to create fragility in terms of cost stability. Although innovative technologies and thermoplastic composite applications have developed through university-industry collaborations, a more holistic ecosystem is needed for the expansion of domestic production scale.
2026 stands out as a strategic transformation year for the Turkish composite industry, set to enhance its global competitiveness. In this process, cooperation between the public, industry, and academia is of critical importance. Priority steps include strengthening compliance with international standards, developing support mechanisms in certification and accreditation processes, and popularizing circular economy and sustainability practices.
2025 was a year when opportunities materialized for composite materials; innovative applications came to the forefront, and global transformation accelerated. 2026 will be a turning point where this potential will be commercialized and scaled. Turkey's goal is to become a high value-added composite production center, compatible with circular economy principles, and a regional export hub.
Our vision as the Composites Manufacturers Association: To make Turkey a regional center for high value-added composite production, compatible with circular economy principles. In this direction, we will continue to strengthen cooperation among industry, academia, and the public, leading projects that will shape the future of the sector.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.