PLASTIC PROCESSING INDUSTRY PRODUCTION IN TURKEY

The domestic production of basic plastic raw materials resulted in a strong plastic

processing industry in Turkey. At present, there are about 5,000 plastics processing

companies which are mainly small and medium scaled. The plastic processing sector

follows the latest developments in the plastic processing industry and manufactures all

types of plastic products ranging from traditional to the latest developed plastic products,

such as plastic construction and irrigation products, plastic auto parts, plastic table and

kitchenware, all plastic parts of electrical and household items, all kinds of plastic

packaging products and most composite, plastic parts.

 

The Turkish plastic processing industry owes its success to its comparatively recent

foundation. Accordingly, this relatively young sector uses the latest technology,

developments and designs. As a result, Turkey has the biggest plastic processing

capacity in Eurasia.

In Turkey, thermoplastics comprise 90% of plastic raw materials. Domestic production is

realized by PETKIM (Petrochemical Holding Corporation) which provides approximately

30% of this demand. The complex of Izmir Aliaga within the organization of PETKIM and

the complex of Kocaeli Yarimca sold to TUPRAS (Turkish Petroleum Refineries

Corporation) produce basic plastic raw materials such as polyethylene (PE), polystyrene

(PS), poly-prophylen (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and chemical raw materials such as

ethylene glycol, phthalic anhydride, terephthalic acid, carbon black. In addition to

production, recycled plastics meet 10% of the total demand in Turkey.

In Turkey, plastics are consumed mostly in the packaging sector with a 27% share. The

shares of other industries that use plastic inputs are construction with 14%, textile with

11%, and household appliances with 10%.

The Turkish plastic sector today has reached world standards as far as raw materials,

semi-finished and finished products are concerned. Most of the finished plastic products

comply with the related Turkish standards (TSE), International standards (ISO) and with

the standards set by the EU. Companies producing plastic building materials affix the

"CE Mark" under the "New Approach" Directives since the obligation to affix the "CE

Mark" started in the Turkish domestic market in 2002. 

EXPORTS 

Exports of the Turkish plastics industry had an increasing trend until the recent 2009

economic crisis. Before the crisis, the remarkably high increase in the export value was

undoubtedly achieved due to the recent modernization and technological improvements

realized in the sector.

The main plastic products exported are plates, sheets, films, foils and strip, of plastics,

plastic packaging products; textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with

plastics; plastic furniture, flexible intermediate bulk containers; sacks and bags made of

polyethylene or polypropylene strips and bags made of ethylene polymers; tubes, pipes

and hoses, and fittings, of plastics; plastic footwear; plastic table and kitchenware. Some

plastic products are exported directly as finished items or indirectly as a part of export

items such as washing machines, export packaging, etc.

Turkish plastic products are exported to a wide range of countries in the world. Turkey

is now exporting various plastic products to more than one hundred countries throughout

the world. The plastic products are exported mainly to the European Union Countries,

the Russian Federation and former Soviet States, the Eastern European Countries and

the Middle East Countries. 

Tags: plastic processing , plastic processing industry , plastic processing industry in Turkey