PLASFED President Ömer Karadeniz, emphasizing that the contraction in industry continues in the Gündemin Nabzı program broadcast on Ekotürk, called for support for production and exports. Stating “Our oil is production,” Karadeniz said that the plastics sector exported 4.5 billion dollars in six months.
Ömer Karadeniz, Chairman of the Board of the Plastics Industrialists' Federation (PLASFED), participated in the “Sectoral Outlook” program broadcast on Ekotürk and drew attention to the alarm bells ringing in the industry. Karadeniz, a guest of program host Lale Elmacıoğlu, called for support for production and exports. Karadeniz stated that the contraction in industry continues, the real sector is struggling, and the plastics industry has become a part of this challenging picture.
Karadeniz stated that the PMI data, which remained below the 50 threshold value consecutively in Turkey's industrial sector, revealed the contraction in industry, and emphasized that the PMI value for the plastics sector decreased to 44.3. Drawing attention to the fact that this picture cannot be ignored, Karadeniz said, “If we don't take precautions, much harder days are ahead.”
4.5 billion dollars in exports in six months
Karadeniz reported that the plastics sector reached an export volume of 4.5 billion dollars in the first half of the year, emphasizing that despite all the stagnation, exports showed a positive trend. The chairman of the umbrella organization PLASFED noted that the chemical sector ranks second in Turkey's exports, and plastics form the backbone of this structure.
“We are largely dependent on foreign sources for raw materials”
Karadeniz stated that Turkey is largely dependent on foreign sources for plastic raw materials, and said, “Institutions like Petkim are critically important, but we are still 85-90 percent dependent on imports. Developments such as the risk in the Strait of Hormuz directly affect our supply chain.”
“If production is supported, we can be an alternative to China”
Karadeniz cited China's production and export policies as an example, stating, “Turkey must prioritize production. Our oil is production. Therefore, incentives and support for industrialists must be increased. Turkey can be an alternative supplier country to China.” Karadeniz also addressed negative perceptions about plastics, saying, “Plastics are not as harmful as generally believed for health. Food-grade, high-tech products are widely used in all developed countries. The public needs to be correctly informed on this matter.”
“Turkey can be a raw material recovery center”
Addressing the “landfill” perception created by plastic waste coming from Europe, Karadeniz said, “These wastes are recycled in industry and converted into raw materials. The main issue is the implementation of a source separation system. Separating waste at the point of origin increases recycling efficiency. The deposit return and recycling infrastructure must be strengthened urgently.” Karadeniz stated that no economic policy that does not support industrial production and exports is sustainable, and added, “We cannot expect improvement in industry without strengthening source separation, access to finance, and the investment environment.”
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.