The year 2025 was challenging for industrialists with high costs, difficulties in accessing finance, and narrowing profit margins. Despite all these conditions, the plastics sector achieved growth above the Turkish average…
Yusuf ÖZKAN
Kayseri Plastics Industrialists Association (KAYPİDER)
Chairman of the Board
As we come to the end of another year, we approach the beginning of a new one. This cycle will continue throughout our lives. The important thing is for us to live these processes in a healthy and peaceful way.
As producers and due to our industrialist responsibility, we inevitably focus on the economy and our sector at year-ends. However, while doing this, we must consider not only the business world but also our family, employees, customers, environment, the cities where we produce, and our country from which we derive income. In other words, we should act with a holistic approach, not just a sectoral one. Because the well-being of all sectors and our country will ensure our peace both materially and spiritually.
My dear friends, we have spent the year 2025 with similar problems again. High inflation, high interest rates, difficulties in accessing finance, foreign dependency in raw materials, energy and employment costs, and tax burdens… These problems affect not only the plastics sector but almost every sector, directly or indirectly. Of course, it is not possible for us to solve all these problems on our own initiative. However, we must continuously bring them to the attention of authorities and relevant institutions, keeping them on the agenda and continuing to seek solutions.
WE CONTINUE TO GROW
Unfortunately, our economic hope is transferred to the next year annually. However, despite all these difficulties, thanks to the dynamic structure of our sector, we continue to grow every year. Even if our country's general growth rate approaches zero, the plastics sector has always shown a growth performance above the Turkish average.
However, while preparing the Medium-Term Program (MTP), it should not be forgotten that 99% of our economy consists of SMEs. Importance should be given to sectoral incentives, and labor-intensive sectors should be granted privileges due to their employment-heavy structures. In 2025, many investments were suspended due to high financial costs, and businesses turned to areas generating non-operating income instead of investments. However, it is most appropriate for the income derived from industry and production to be reinvested and remain within the industry. For this, the investment environment should be improved, and investment incentives should be made more attractive.
LOW PROFIT, HIGH STRUGGLE
The year 2025 was marked by low-profit margins, intense competitive conditions, and businesses' struggle for survival. The plastics sector is an area with high operating costs. While all inputs, especially raw materials, are purchased in cash, sales and collections are generally made on credit. In fact, difficulties have always existed in industrial and commercial life since the early days of trade. Periods when markets were entirely problem-free have been very few or very short. For this reason, it is indispensable for our businesses to always have B and C plans, and to be able to position themselves against potential difficulties, in terms of sustainability.
If the year 2026 follows a similar course, the growth and survival of businesses will become even more challenging. However, if positive developments occur in the economic indicators we mentioned above, our businesses will be able to maintain a sustainable presence in the market, even if not at pre-pandemic levels.
We will continue to work without losing our optimism in all circumstances. With our crisis experience and resilience gained over the years, we will sail towards brighter horizons. If we cannot change the direction of the wind, we will know how to sail our ship according to the wind's direction.
As we enter a new year, I wish all my friends a happy year full of beautiful friendships and companionship, where we are not afraid to love, not ashamed to speak, where respect is valued, thought is important, and hopes are endless.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.