While the Composites Manufacturers Association leads the transformation of the Turkish composite sector with a market size reaching 3 billion dollars and increasing export volume in 2024; it is carrying out a comprehensive breakthrough process, from corporate infrastructure to international representation, and from advanced technology investments to strategies for opening up to new markets.
Composites Manufacturers Association
Chairman of the Board
Kemal Darcan
The Composites Manufacturers Association has played an important role in the development of the composite industry in Turkey since its establishment in 2005. At the point we have reached today, not only the production volume of the sector but also its representation power, export potential, and strategic importance have significantly increased.
The year 2024 has been a year of growth and transformation for the Turkish composite industry. While the sector's total market size reached 3 billion dollars, export figures reached approximately 2 billion dollars, a 5 percent increase compared to 2023. Production volume increased to 245 thousand tons, demonstrating that technological investments and R&D activities have yielded effective results. Exports, particularly in the defense industry and polyester resin, have gained significant momentum.
Parallel to this growth, our association is taking significant steps to strengthen its corporate infrastructure. In the new period, the professional staff has been renewed, the membership structure updated, the DERBİS system regulated, and member files restructured. A proposal for amendment has been prepared in the association's bylaws to limit the terms of president and board members to a maximum of two terms – two years, paving the way for corporate renewal.
In terms of international representation, a collaboration has been initiated with a professional exhibition company to restructure the TURK COMPOSITE Fair and move it to a global platform. Furthermore, the first physical office in the association's history has been purchased in Kurtköy, Istanbul, marking a concrete step towards becoming an association for public benefit.
The composite industry is showing growth not only in Europe but also in the markets of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Especially in composite products for the construction, automotive, and aerospace sectors, Turkey's production power and quality stand out; strategies for opening up to new markets are being developed. In value-added products, the production of high-tech products such as carbon fiber-reinforced composites, catalysts, and organic peroxides is at the center of sectoral transformation.
However, while the sector continues its development, it also struggles with some fundamental problems. These primarily include external dependency in raw material supply, a shortage of qualified workforce, and difficulties in accessing suitable financing sources. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage domestic production, increase vocational training, and develop special financing solutions for exporting companies.
For Turkey to become a global design and production base in this field, investment in advanced production technologies, automation, and artificial intelligence-supported systems is inevitable. At the same time, sustainable growth will be possible through R&D centers and university-industry collaborations.
The Composites Manufacturers Association has made it a priority to establish stronger communication with its members, develop more effective cooperation with public institutions, and make the Turkish composite sector even more visible in the international arena to achieve these goals.
On this path we have taken to build the future of our sector together, the contribution and support of all our members will continue to be our most valuable strength.
This content has been translated using artificial intelligence technology.