Turkey's chemical industry, the second largest exporting sector, announced its 2024 export champions. The 10th "IKMIB Export Stars Award Ceremony," held annually by the Istanbul Chemicals and Products Exporters' Association (IKMIB), took place on May 23, 2025. A total of 180 awards were presented across 36 different categories.
The chemical sector maintained its position as Turkey's second largest exporting sector in 2024, achieving an impressive export of $30.8 billion. With 16 sub-sectors, the industry exported to 231 countries and regions and accounted for approximately 13.6% of the country's total exports, according to the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM).
To celebrate this success and honor the exporting companies in the sector, the "2024 IKMIB Export Stars Award Ceremony" was organized by the Istanbul Chemicals and Products Exporters' Association (IKMIB) on May 23, 2025. The event, hosted by IKMIB Board Chairman Adil Pelister and attended by T.C. Deputy Minister of Trade Özgür Volkan Ağar and representatives of the winning companies, recognized the efforts of the industry.
During the ceremony, a total of 180 companies were awarded in the top five across 36 different categories covering the subsectors and product groups of the chemical sector. The plaques symbolizing their achievements were presented to the companies that ranked in the top three in their categories.
Deputy Minister Ağar:
“The chemical sector strengthens Turkey's strategic position”
T.C. Deputy Minister of Trade Özgür Volkan Ağar emphasized during his speech at the "2024 IKMIB Export Stars Award Ceremony" organized by IKMIB, that the chemical sector holds strategic importance due to its multilayered structure and the inputs it provides to other manufacturing sectors.
Ağar pointed out that more than 80% of chemical products produced globally are used as intermediate goods or raw materials in other sectors, stating that the sector contributes approximately $5.7 trillion annually to the global economy and indirectly provides employment opportunities for 120 million people.
“As important as the chemical sector is in global trade, it holds equal importance for our country,” Ağar said, noting that despite global uncertainties and volatility in energy and raw material prices last year, the sector managed to maintain its leading role in Turkey's exports. He highlighted that the sector, which achieved approximately $31 billion in exports in 2024, continues to be Turkey's second largest exporting sector, stating, “Thanks to its visionary approach, strong production infrastructure, and export capability, the chemical sector is making significant contributions to elevating Turkey's position in global value chains.”
Ağar noted that the plastic and rubber products continue to be the locomotive product group in the chemical sector's exports, contributing nearly $10 billion in foreign currency income. He underscored that by 2025, Turkey would be the second largest plastic producer in Europe and the sixth worldwide.
On the strategic priority of the health sector in advanced technology and value-added production, Ağar expressed his belief that exports could be increased through the development of domestic production capabilities in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.
IKMIB President Pelister:
“We are preparing for the future with visionary steps”
During his opening speech at the "IKMIB Export Stars Award Ceremony," where the 2024 export achievements were recognized, IKMIB Board Chairman Adil Pelister highlighted the leading role of the Turkish chemical sector in exports. Pelister expressed pride in bringing together exporters who successfully represent Turkey in global trade at the event.
Pelister stated that the chemical sector maintained its position as Turkey's second largest exporting sector with $30.8 billion in exports in 2024, and despite the challenging global economic conditions, it preserved its success, saying, “We made a strong start to 2025 with $10.3 billion in exports in the first four months of the year. We are making steady progress in line with our Vision 2030 strategy to achieve our export target of $35 billion for 2025.”
Pelister noted that the sector aims to exceed $50 billion in exports by 2030, emphasizing that with visionary steps taken towards this goal, they are preparing the Turkish chemical industry for the future. He pointed out that the chemical sector is a locomotive area contributing to 27 main sectors and 16 sub-sectors, stating, “As İKMİB, we continue to enhance the strength of our sector through qualified activities focused on all corners of the world.”
“We are guiding the future of chemistry with the KTM”
Pelister mentioned that they opened the doors to a new era in the sector with the Chemical Technology Center, which is a significant part of the Vision 2030 strategies, noting that the center was established with an investment of 165 million TL. He informed that along with 39 tests conducted for the first time in Turkey, a total of 209 different tests will be implemented, and that 100 of these tests will soon be accredited internationally.
“With the Chemical Technology Center, we are not only providing testing and laboratory services,” Pelister stated, adding that the center is designed to serve as an incubation center for innovative products in chemistry, a platform for developing domestic technologies, and a structure providing certification and consulting services needed by the sector.
Pelister mentioned that this center, brought to life with contributions from İKMİB members, started providing services shortly and received intense interest from member companies, announcing that their second goal is to establish the Turkish Chemical Agency. Pelister expressed that this goal will be crowned by establishing the Chemical Science City, which will be the first of its kind in Turkey.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to elevate Turkish chemical exports to a higher league in global trade,” Pelister concluded, congratulating all the companies that received awards at the ceremony.
PLASFED President Karadeniz:
“The plastic sector is the locomotive of chemical exports”
PLASFED Board Chairman Ömer Karadeniz expressed his satisfaction at participating in the "2024 IKMIB Export Stars Award Ceremony" organized by IKMIB, stating that the achievements of the Turkish chemical sector in exports are commendable. He highlighted, “The plastic sector contributes significantly to our country’s economy as one of the locomotive areas of our chemical industry. Providing nearly $10 billion in foreign currency income, the plastic sector strengthens Turkey's position in global competition with its high production capacity and export potential. I sincerely congratulate all our exporters who contributed to this success, and I want to emphasize that PLASFED will continue to work in collaboration and solidarity to advance our sector.”
Translated by Artificial Intelligence
