PLASFED President Ömer Karadeniz stated that despite rising input costs due to the war and the slowdown in industry, the plastics sector is the only sector to record an increase in production. Noting that PMI data points to a contraction in industry, Karadeniz emphasized that while the sector provides a current account surplus in finished products, foreign dependency on raw materials persists.
Plastics Industrialists Federation (PLASFED) President Ömer Karadeniz evaluated recent developments in the industry, stating that costs increased by the impact of the war have made production difficult, yet the plastics sector has positively diverged in production despite this.
As a guest of host Aslıhan Yıldız on the live program "Gün İçinden" on Ulusal Kanal, Karadeniz recalled that the PMI fell to 47.9 in March, reaching its lowest level in the last five months. Stating that this data indicates a slowdown in industry, Karadeniz said, "It is necessary to read this picture correctly and take the necessary precautions accordingly."
Expressing that the conflicts in the Middle East have seriously increased input costs, especially in the chemical, plastic, and rubber sectors, Karadeniz stated that prices for some raw materials have nearly doubled. Noting that input costs reached their highest level in the last two years in March, Karadeniz expressed that cost pressure creates a significant burden on producers.
Pointing out that despite this entire negative picture, the chemical products, plastic, and rubber sector was the only sector to record a production increase in March, Karadeniz stated that the PMI value in the mentioned sector reached 51.8.
The sector provides a current account surplus in finished products
Stating that the sector also has a significant share in foreign trade, Karadeniz said that in 2025, exports of plastic finished products reached 7 billion 340 million dollars, while imports stood at 3 billion 863 million dollars. According to this picture, Karadeniz stated that a current account surplus is achieved in finished products, yet he emphasized that there is a serious foreign dependency on the raw material side.
Stating that the import of plastic raw materials has exceeded 11 billion dollars, Karadeniz said that petrochemical investments in Turkey must be increased. He drew attention to the fact that domestic production, which met approximately 20 percent of the country's needs in the past, has fallen below 10 percent in some product groups today.
"The solution for single-use plastics is not a ban"
Touching upon the regulations regarding single-use plastics, Karadeniz pointed to the importance of environmental policies but stated that waste management systems should be strengthened instead of steps that directly ban production. He stated that it is of great importance to expand, in particular, the deposit return system and source separation practices.
Karadeniz emphasized that environmental awareness should be strengthened not only through legislation but also through social awareness, stressing that leaving a cleaner environment for future generations is a shared responsibility.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.