The 35th Group of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO) for Plastic Raw Materials and Plastic Injection Products Industry Professional Committee addressed the transition focused on sustainability and circular economy in the plastic sector. This seminar, attended by many industrialists, was hosted by İSO 35th Committee Chairman Ömer Karadeniz. The meeting, featuring SOCAR Turkey CEO Elchin Ibadov as a guest speaker, was closely followed by PLASFED members.
The Istanbul Chamber of Industry (İSO) 35th Group of Plastic Raw Materials and Plastic Injection Products Industry Professional Committee brought together industry representatives on Thursday, September 25, 2025. The event titled "Transition to Circular Economy in the Plastic Sector and New Dynamics in Global Trade" explored the sustainability-focused transformation, circular economy, and new dynamics in global trade within the plastic industry.
Ömer Karadeniz, a member of the İSO Council, emphasized in the opening speech that the sustainability vision will be decisive for the future of the plastic sector, stating, "It is essential for the business world to prepare for this transformation to protect our global competitive power. With common sense and collaboration, we can make our sector more resilient and environmentally friendly.".
Karadeniz also assessed the development of the Turkish plastic industry from the past to the present and the challenges faced. Sharing changes experienced in the sector since the opening of the Petkim facility in Aliağa in the 1980s, Karadeniz expressed pride in the achievements of plastic manufacturers. In his speech, he discussed evaluation of capacity, production, and market balances, highlighting the importance of the sector taking more proactive steps and emphasizing that past challenges have strengthened the sector.
As a guest speaker at the event, SOCAR Turkey CEO Elchin Ibadov pointed out the strategic ties between the energy and petrochemical sectors and the plastic industry. Ibadov stated that the efficient use of resources and the reduction of carbon footprint hold significant importance not only environmentally but also economically. İSO 35th Committee Chairman Ömer Karadeniz presented a plaque to SOCAR Turkey CEO Elchin Ibadov during the event.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES DISCUSSED
The focal point of the event was the panel titled "Transition to Circular Economy in the Plastic Sector and New Dynamics in Global Trade". Moderated by Prof. Dr. Rana Atabay Kuşçuoğlu, Director of the Sustainable Development Application and Research Center at Istanbul Medipol University, the panel addressed the transformation process of the sector from various perspectives.
Panel speakers included Prof. Dr. Betül Gür, Director of the Industrial Policies and Development Center at Istanbul Commerce University, Circular Thinking Circular Economy Consultant and Trainer Şeyda Dağdeviren-Hill, Sustainability and Management Systems Manager at Gema Polimer Plastic Products Inc. Seçil Öztürk, and Omer Benli, Chairman of the Benli Recycling Group. The speakers shared the economic opportunities that circular economy and sustainability present for Turkey's plastic sector.
Participants evaluated the impact of the European Green Deal and carbon regulations on trade, agreeing that the transition of the plastic sector should be seen not only as a necessity but also as an opportunity for new markets and competitive advantage.
After the question and answer session, members of the İSO 35th Committee presented plaques to the panelists. The event was considered a significant step in creating a sustainability-focused roadmap for the plastic industry.
Translated by Artificial Intelligence
