The chemical industry continues to be one of the cornerstones of Türkiye’s industrial structure by supplying inputs to many sectors with its wide production ecosystem ranging from plastics to rubber, and from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics. With approximately $32 billion in exports in 2025, the chemical industry maintained its position as the second-largest exporting sector in Türkiye. Together with its 16 sub-sectors, it exported to 238 countries and regions, accounting for 13.5% of Türkiye’s total exports, according to TİM data.
Organized annually by the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB) to honor and encourage its member companies for their successful export performance, the 11th edition of the “İKMİB Stars of Export Awards Ceremony” was held on March 31, 2026. At the İKMİB Stars of Export 2025 Awards Ceremony, a total of 180 companies ranked in the top five across 36 categories in the chemical sub-sectors and product groups were entitled to receive awards, while plaques were presented to the top three exporting companies in each category.
Hosted by İKMİB Chairman of the Board Adil Pelister, the ceremony was attended by H.E. Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye, Deputy Minister of Trade Özgür Volkan Ağar, and representatives of the awarded companies.
Minister Bolat: “The upward trend in chemical exports will continue”
Emphasizing that the chemical industry is Türkiye's second-largest export sector, Minister of Trade Prof. Dr. Ömer Bolat stated:
“Last year, our exports reached $32 billion. The chemical industry is interconnected with all sectors. Chemical inputs and products are present in 95% of all manufactured industrial goods. Its contribution to the global economy is $5.7 trillion. Annual global R&D spending in the sector amounts to $165 billion, and 120 million people are employed worldwide. The upward trend in chemical exports will continue. We are the sixth-largest economy in plastics globally and the second-largest plastic producer in Europe. In addition, Türkiye has become a production and trade hub in cosmetics. We rank seventh globally in hygiene products and eleventh in cleaning products. We are also making rapid progress in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Türkiye’s total exports in healthcare amount to $4 billion, with pharmaceutical exports reaching $2.4 billion and medical device exports $1.5 billion.”
Minister Bolat also referred to the support provided to exporters and companies operating in the chemical sector, stating that the Ministry has allocated a budget of 45 billion TRY for exporters this year and will continue to support these companies as before.
Adil Pelister: “We will now talk about the value of exports, not just their volume”
In his opening speech, İKMİB Chairman Adil Pelister emphasized the strategic role of the chemical industry in Türkiye’s economy, noting that with $31.9 billion in exports in 2025, the sector is the country’s second-largest exporter. Pelister stated that this success is not merely an economic figure:
“This figure reflects Türkiye’s production capability, technological capacity, and global competitiveness. The chemical industry is not just a sector; it is the raw material of industry, the infrastructure of technology, and the invisible architect of the modern economy. Global competition is no longer won merely by producing, but by producing smarter, being more innovative, and moving from volume to value. Until now, we have discussed the ‘volume’ of exports; from now on, we will focus on the ‘value’ of exports. True prosperity comes not from producing more, but from producing higher value-added goods.”
Pelister: “The Chemical Technology Center and the Turkish Chemicals Agency are strategic projects for the future of the sector”
Highlighting two critical projects that will shape the future of the chemical industry, Pelister stated that the Chemical Technology Center will serve as an innovation hub for the sector:
“The technologies developed here will shape not only today’s production but also the chemical industry of the future. Our second important vision, the establishment of the Turkish Chemicals Agency, will be a strategic step for the sector. This structure will strengthen coordination within the sector, generate data, and shape global competitiveness strategies. Our greatest strength in achieving these goals is unity. This is exactly where İKMİB’s greatest success lies.”
Pelister: “Our goal is to build a chemical industry that produces high value-added goods and global brands”
Drawing attention to the fact that the chemical industry lies at the center of global transformations such as energy transition, the Green Deal, and digitalization, Pelister stated that their goal is not only to export:
“Our goal is to build a chemical industry that produces technology, creates high added value, and generates global brands. Therefore, bringing together the entrepreneurship ecosystem with industry and connecting young engineers with production is of vital importance for our sector.”
At the end of his speech, Pelister congratulated all the awarded companies and expressed his belief that the Turkish chemical industry will become one of the strongest production centers in the world as long as it acts together with a shared vision.
Check out the full list of award-winning companies:
