Adil Pelister, Chairman of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters' Association (IKMIB), issued a written statement evaluating the third-quarter growth data for 2025, as announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).
In his statement, Pelister underlined that exports in the chemical sector grew by 16.65 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year. He said:
"According to TurkStat data, our national economy grew by 3.7 percent in the third quarter. Compared to the previous quarter, this corresponds to a growth of 1.1 percent. Among the drivers of this growth, the 6.5 percent increase in the industrial sector stands out as particularly noteworthy.
Considering the role of the chemical industry within the broader industrial sector, we see that it has made a significant contribution to this growth as a strategic field supplying inputs to many other sectors. While domestic demand had a positive impact on growth, the slowdown in foreign demand and its negative reflection on exports clearly demonstrate the effect of global developments on our overall export performance. However, the export performance of the chemical industry in the third quarter stands out positively compared to general export trends.
According to IKMIB data, in the July–September period of this year, chemical exports reached 8.53 billion USD, representing a 16.65 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This growth helped cushion the negative effects seen in overall exports during the third quarter.
The growth achieved in the third quarter confirms that the foundations of the chemical industry remain strong. Although global volatility in energy and raw material prices continues to pose significant risks, investments to be made in our sector, especially those focused on green transformation, will further enhance its competitiveness.
In particular, investments that prioritize sustainability and the circular economy will support Turkey’s long-term growth potential. For this reason, targeted incentives for the chemical industry and access to favorable financing conditions for exporters are of critical importance.
As a sector, we are fully aware of our strategic importance and remain determined to be a driving force in helping our country achieve its goals for high value-added production."
