The sustainability of Turkey’s success in production and exports depends not only on production capacity, but also on raw material security, strong petrochemical investments, and an uninterrupted logistics infrastructure. In this new era where global competition is becoming increasingly fierce, increasing domestic production capacity for strategic raw materials and strengthening supply chains is of critical importance for the future of the Turkish industry.
Although the production and export figures that Turkey has reached in strategic sectors such as composites in recent years are considered a significant success, the most critical and often overlooked aspect of this success is that the sector is growing while being heavily dependent on imported raw materials. Today, a significant portion of the basic raw materials used, especially in the composite industry, is sourced from abroad. This situation makes the sector extremely sensitive to global crises, geopolitical developments, and logistics disruptions.
In fact, one of the biggest strategic risks for the sector today is the issue of “raw material security.” Many industrial establishments producing in Turkey are in a position where they cannot continue their production in the event of any disruption in the supply chain due to their dependence on foreign raw materials. A possible import interruption or a long-term logistics crisis does not only mean a slowdown in exports; it also poses a risk that could lead to much greater economic consequences, such as failing to meet domestic market needs, the shutdown of production lines, and the loss of employment for thousands of people. For this reason, one of the primary solutions should be the strong and sustainable development of the petrochemical sector in Turkey. In the current structure, Petkim remains insufficient to meet the rapidly growing needs of the sector in terms of capacity. Due to the inability to implement the necessary large-scale investments for many years, many critical raw materials needed by the composite and advanced materials industries are currently met through imports.
For Turkey to strengthen its production independence, a long-term and strategic investment vision is needed in the field of petrochemicals. Increasing and supporting domestic production capacity, especially for strategic raw materials, and establishing high-capacity production infrastructures are of critical importance. It is necessary for Petkim to put forward a stronger roadmap regarding capacity increase and strategic raw material production within the framework of a new investment and transformation plan.
Strategic opportunity in Yumurtalık
The petrochemical investments that have recently come to the agenda in the Yumurtalık region are positive and strategic developments for the sector. Planning such investments in accordance with economies of scale is critical. High-capacity production structures are required to achieve competitive production costs in the petrochemical sector. As capacity decreases, production costs rise and global competitiveness weakens. For this reason, it is of great importance not only to invest but also to "plan investments with a capacity capable of creating global competition." Otherwise, the risk arises that domestic producers will need protection due to competitive pressure and that the solution will be sought in import taxes or customs protection walls. Although this approach seems to protect the domestic producer in the short term, in the long term, it increases the costs of all domestic industrialists in the supply chain, is reflected in final product prices, and increases inflationary pressure.
The second major area of vulnerability that the sector is facing following the raw material crisis is the "logistics and transportation infrastructure." The logistics problems recently experienced by industrial establishments, especially those that export, have turned into a strategic risk area in terms of Turkey’s foreign trade competitiveness. Disruptions in global maritime transport lines, and the reduction of capacity or route changes by international shipping companies in operations originating from Turkey, cause serious disadvantages for Turkish exporters in terms of cost, time, and delivery reliability.
Today, being strong in global competition is possible not only by producing; but also by being able to manage your raw materials, control your logistics, and make supply security sustainable. It is of great importance that Turkey also establishes a strong industrial vision in the new era that does not only produce, but can also manufacture its strategic raw materials, manage its logistics infrastructure, and protect its industry against crises.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.