A new leadership era has begun in Türkiye’s chemical industry, the country’s second-largest export sector, with the election of a new president at the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB).
At the General Assembly held on April 14, 2026, at the Haliç Congress Center, Vefa İbrahim Aracı, Chairman of GEBKİM Organized Industrial Zone and Koruma Group of Companies, was elected as İKMİB President as the sole candidate.
The election drew strong participation from industry representatives, exporters, and NGOs, with 100% voter turnout and no invalid votes, reflecting a rare and powerful consensus within the sector.
Strong Participation Signals Sector-Wide Consensus
The 2026 General Assembly was not only an electoral process but also a strategic convergence point for the industry.
The newly formed leadership structure combines:
- Extensive sector experience
- Strong export-oriented mindset
- Efficient decision-making capabilities
This integrated approach is expected to strengthen coordination within İKMİB and significantly enhance the global competitiveness of Türkiye’s chemical industry, while accelerating sustainable export growth.
Vefa İbrahim Aracı: “This Unity Will Shape Our Future”
In his pre-election speech, Vefa İbrahim Aracı emphasized unity and collective action as the key drivers of sectoral growth:
“We approached this process not as a competition, but as a responsibility toward the shared future of our industry. ‘Time for Unity in Chemistry’ represents an inclusive mindset that prioritizes collaboration and collective benefit.”
Highlighting global shifts in trade and supply chains, Aracı added:
“At a time when global trade balances are shifting and supply chains are being restructured, maintaining our production strength and sustaining export growth is a critical responsibility for all of us. With a strong team and collective wisdom, we will take our industry further.”
He also underlined the strength of the newly formed team:
“We have built a team that understands the field, reads market dynamics accurately, and takes responsibility. This strong synergy will significantly contribute to İKMİB’s performance in the new term.”
Data-Driven Strategy Across 16 Sub-Sectors
İKMİB will adopt a comprehensive management approach covering all 16 sub-sectors under its umbrella.
According to Aracı, the new strategic framework will focus on:
- Sub-sector-based export strategies
- Strengthening data-driven decision-making
- Prioritizing high value-added exports
- Increasing domestic production capacity in core chemicals
This model aims to position Türkiye’s chemical industry higher in the global value chain.
Adil Pelister: “Unity Is Our Greatest Strength”
Outgoing President Adil Pelister reflected on the sector’s progress during his term:
“We stood strong through difficult times with solidarity and shared success in better times. Today, our industry stands out not only with its production strength but also with its knowledge, technology, and innovation capabilities.”
Pelister emphasized that beyond increasing export figures, his leadership helped establish a lasting culture of unity and collective intelligence within the sector.
After 8 years in office, he officially handed over leadership, expressing confidence in Aracı and his team.
GEBKİM Model to Be Scaled Across the Sector
Bringing his industrial leadership background into the role, Aracı announced plans to expand the successful GEBKİM model across the sector.
The model is built on:
- Industrial clustering
- Integrated production systems
- Sustainability-focused development
Aracı highlighted that this approach would be extended industry-wide, stating:
“This journey is not the responsibility of a single management team. The future of the chemical industry will be shaped by the collective contribution of all stakeholders.”
New Board of Directors Announced
The General Assembly also confirmed the new Board of Directors, representing key segments of the industry.
The board led by Vefa İbrahim Aracı includes:
- Adil Pelister (Beta Kimya)
- Ersin Kayalar (Kayalar Kimya)
- Burak Önder (Qlux Ideas)
- Uğur Adıyaman (Erkul Kozmetik)
- Elchin İbadov (SOCAR Turkey)
- Selçuk Gülsüm (Tisan Mühendislik)
- Murat Öztürk (Seluz Kimya)
- Sedat Çelik (AHD İç ve Dış Ticaret)
- Ayşe Burcu Kaleağası (Kale Care Chemicals)
- Eralp Erdem (Turkuaz Polyester)
This diverse structure reflects a balanced and sector-wide representation.
A Transformational Phase for the Industry
The new leadership at İKMİB represents more than a change in management, it signals a structural transformation centered on:
- Strengthening industry-wide collaboration
- Systematizing knowledge sharing
- Driving sustainable export growth
- Advancing value-added production
This new era is expected to play a decisive role in shaping Türkiye’s position in global chemical markets.
