We're experiencing an incredible transformation, truly showcasing how far we've come.

Almost all of our companies operating in the plastics sector, despite bearing the brunt of tough challenges, have always succeeded in growing stronger. This is because the most important characteristic of the sector we represent is that it is strategic. As the plastics sector, we are undergoing a tremendous change and transformation, where we can say, 'Look how far we've come from 40 years ago until today.' I have been involved in the plastics sector for approximately 40 years, and being a member of this large community is a great source of pride for me. Considering past years, I would like to say that the sector has overcome many difficulties to reach where it is today. We managed to overcome all problems with the dynamism and diversity of the sector. In every period, according to the conditions of the day, we were able to overcome difficulties thanks to the indispensable nature of our sector. Despite all our companies in the sector taking their share of this tough struggle, we have grown stronger each time. This is because the sector we represent is a very strategic sector. Our sector, which can activate its advantageous and strong aspects within its own dynamics, has always maintained its relevance and overcome all difficulties. We are experiencing a tremendous change and transformation, where we can say, 'Look how far we've come from 40 years ago until today.'

Plastic materials are present everywhere in human living spaces, from food to every corner of daily life. Due to some ill-intentioned initiatives, our sector is constantly targeted. Dear Friends, I can almost hear you saying, 'We already know all this for what I've just said.' Yes, you are right; we have discussed all of these for years. We have also managed to reach today by tolerating what we know internally. However, I believe we need to say new things using the strength of unity and solidarity we have achieved. I believe we need to raise our voice more strongly regarding the new applications we face and our previous problems, and repeat this on every platform. More importantly, I would like to state that all civil society organizations and associations representing the plastics sector should go beyond individualism, truly represent the sector, and stay away from sterile and weak polemics and personal egos. It seems evident that there are more European laws to overcome, and we must prepare ourselves for them now. While problems affecting the real sector such as the Emission Trading System, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, Green Transformation, as well as access to finance, high interest rates, difficulty in finding personnel, and exchange rates await us, we are now in a period where we need unity and solidarity the most.

As KAYPİDER, by cooperating with the Kayseri Chamber of Industry and the Kayseri Chamber of Commerce, we guide our members on all these issues within the framework of Green Transformation Programs and support them to gain knowledge. Furthermore, within the framework of our collaboration with Kayseri University, we aim to meet our employment needs by opening a polymer technologies department at the Vocational School established in the Organized Industrial Zone, providing support to the students there, and guaranteeing them employment. In other words, esteemed sector representatives, I believe that all our companies are now acting with a motto, and I believe that we have no alternative but to continue our journey by turning crises into opportunities with the social contributions we will make in the spirit of unity and solidarity. We solve our individual problems in some way, but we must articulate our regional and national problems with many voices and make every effort to solve them. For this, I believe it is essential for the future of the sector that all organizations representing the sector come together to create a new strategy, and even a new roadmap and strong representation.