PLASFED President Ömer Karadeniz, in a program he attended on Ekotürk TV, stated that the plastics sector has demonstrated a strong performance in exports despite all global challenges, and emphasized that the solution to single-use plastics is not bans, but the strengthening of recycling infrastructure.
Plastic Industrialists Federation (PLASFED) Chairman of the Board Ömer Karadeniz was a guest on the Sektörel Bakış (Sectoral Perspective) program hosted by Lale Elmacıoğlu on Ekotürk TV. The program discussed the effects of the global war environment on industry, the production power of the plastics sector, export performance, raw material supply, and regulations regarding single-use plastics.
Speaking on the program, Karadeniz stated that the tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have increased logistics and raw material costs, and drew attention to the strategic importance of production and industry. Stating that Turkey's production power must be protected, Karadeniz said that industrial investments, in particular, should be supported.
Stating that the plastics sector continues its strong performance in production and exports despite all global risks, rising raw material costs, and logistics pressures, Karadeniz expressed that the sector is one of the locomotive areas of Turkish industry. Emphasizing that plastics should not be limited to daily consumer products, Karadeniz said that engineering plastics used in high value-added fields such as defense industry, aviation, automotive, health, and electronics are of critical importance in terms of Turkey's technological production capacity.
Making assessments regarding single-use plastics, Karadeniz noted that the solution is not to stop production but to strengthen the recycling infrastructure. Karadeniz used the following expressions:
“The solution for single-use plastics is not to close facilities, but to strengthen recycling systems. Source Separation Systems and the Deposit Return System should be widespread. The way to protect the environment is not to stop production, but to manage waste correctly.”
Drawing attention to the importance of the Deposit Return System (DRS), Karadeniz stated that the recycling infrastructure in Turkey needs to be made more effective, and expressed that the public, industry, and consumers must act together to protect the environment.
In the program, Karadeniz also shared data regarding the export performance of the plastics sector and said that the sector showed a stable rise in the first four months of the year. Touching upon the need to support access to finance, exchange rate policies, and industrial investments, Karadeniz emphasized that production is of critical importance for Turkey's future.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.