In the chemical industry, which is Turkey’s second-largest exporting sector, the İKMİB presidential elections were held on April 14, 2026, at the Haliç Congress Center. Vefa İbrahim Aracı, Chairman of the Board of GEBKİM OSB and Koruma Chlorine Industry, who ran as the sole candidate, was elected as the President of İKMİB.
A new era in the chemical industry, which acts as a locomotive for Turkey’s exports and maintains its position as the second-largest exporting sector, has begun with a strong structure that combines experience with the energy of a renewed team. The İKMİB 2026 Ordinary Elective General Assembly, held on April 14 at the Haliç Congress Center, took place with high participation from industry representatives and members. In the general assembly, where all participating members voted, no invalid or incomplete votes were cast. This structure, which brings together the corporate accumulation and field experience of the past with the dynamism and innovative perspective of the new era, brings with it a management approach that knows the sector closely, has strong export reflexes, and is effective in decision-making processes. This integrated approach is expected to increase the sector’s competitiveness and accelerate sustainable export targets by ensuring stronger coordination under the umbrella of İKMİB.
“This Unity Will Determine Our Future”
Reiterating his emphasis on unity and common sense in his speech before the election, Vefa İbrahim Aracı stated that the power of the chemical industry is fueled by solidarity rather than competition, saying, “We approached this process as a responsibility toward the common future of our sector rather than a competitive race. By saying ‘Time for Unity in Chemistry,’ we mean an understanding that encompasses every segment of the sector, considers the common good, and grows the culture of working together. The picture that emerged today shows that our sector can reach a common consensus with its different structures and experiences. At a time when trade balances are shifting globally and supply chains are being reshaped, maintaining our production power and determinedly continuing our exports is a critical responsibility for all of us. With this understanding, we will move our sector forward with a strong team and common sense.”
Stating that they have a strong, long-standing working harmony with names who have served on the Board of Directors in the past, Aracı expressed that they have set out with a structure that is well-versed in the dynamics and operations of the sector. Emphasizing that they have formed a team with high export experience that reads the field well and does not shy away from taking responsibility, Aracı expressed his belief that this strong harmony will provide significant contributions to İKMİB’s work in the new term.
New Era Covering 16 Sub-sectors
Stating that they will act with a management approach that covers all 16 sub-sectors operating under the İKMİB umbrella, Aracı announced that export strategies in the new term will be handled on a sub-sector basis and that data-driven decision-making mechanisms will be strengthened.
Emphasizing that an export model focused on high value-added products will be among the top priorities, Aracı pointed out that increasing the domestic production capacity in main chemicals is also a critical issue for the sector.
Stating that the steps taken during the term of the former İKMİB President Adil Pelister brought the sector to its current strong position, Aracı emphasized that the new term will be built upon this accumulation.
Emphasis on “Unity, Value, and Added Value” from Adil Pelister
Delivering his activity report, former İKMİB President Adil Pelister emphasized that the greatest power at the point the chemical industry has reached is the culture of acting together. Stating that they not only increased export figures during his tenure but also built a lasting “spirit of unity” and a culture of common sense within the sector, Pelister said, “We survived through solidarity in difficult times, and we shared success together in good times. At the point we have reached today, our sector stands out not only with production but also with its power of knowledge, technology, and innovation.”
Preparing to hand over his duties after an eight-year term, Pelister offered his best wishes for the new term and thanked all his team members he worked with. He conveyed his success wishes to Vefa İbrahim Aracı and his team, who took over the duty in the new term, as well as to the names he worked with under the same board of directors during his tenure.
Aracı Elected President by Unanimous Vote
Vefa İbrahim Aracı, who entered the İKMİB Presidency as the sole candidate and was elected to the position with a broad consensus of the sector, is preparing to carry his vision, which stands out with his industrialist identity, into the new term. Announcing that they will carry the success achieved at GEBKİM, Turkey’s first specialized chemical organized industrial zone, under the umbrella of İKMİB, Aracı stated that they aim to disseminate this model focused on clustering, integrated production, and sustainability throughout the sector, adding, “We are setting out with a team that brings experience and energy into the same structure. This journey is not a process to be carried solely on the shoulders of this team. The will to move the chemical industry forward will be shaped by the collective contribution of all our members, along with the administration.”
Inviting all stakeholders of the sector to be an active part of the process, Aracı said, “Let us grow our common sense and make the culture of acting together permanent.”
İKMİB’s New Board of Directors Members Announced
In the general assembly chaired by Mehmet Şafak Türkay, the new İKMİB Board of Directors, which will serve in the new term, was also formed by strong names representing different fields of the sector. In the new administration led by Vefa İbrahim Aracı; Adil Pelister (Beta Kimya), Ersin Kayalar (Kayalar Kimya), Burak Önder (Qlux Ideas), Uğur Adıyaman (Erkul Kozmetik), Elchin İbadov (SOCAR Turkey), Selçuk Gülsüm (Tisan Mühendislik), Murat Öztürk (Seluz Kimya), Sedat Çelik (AHD İç ve Dış Ticaret), Ayşe Burcu Kaleağası (Kale Care Chemicals), and Eralp Erdem (Turkuaz Polyester) took part.
This new period that has started at İKMİB stands out as a transformation process that aims to make the culture of acting together permanent across the sector, beyond a change in management. Strengthening intra-sectoral communication, making information sharing more systematic, and implementing policies that will support sustainable export growth are among the priority goals of the new term.
Congratulatory Message from Ömer Karadeniz
Ömer Karadeniz, President of the Plastics Industrialists Federation, included the following expressions in the message he published regarding the subject:
“I sincerely congratulate Mr. Vefa İbrahim Aracı on being elected as the President of İKMİB. I believe that the visionary approach he will bring to the Turkish chemical and plastics sector and the contributions he will make to exports will be an important source of motivation for our sector.
On this occasion, I also congratulate the members of the Board of Directors with whom he will serve and wish them success in the new term.”
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.