New Term Begins at İKMİB Under Chairman V. İbrahim Aracı

Vefa Ibrahim Araci, an experienced name in the chemistry sector, elected to İKMİB Board of Directors Chairmanship

A new period has begun with the change in leadership in the chemistry sector, Turkey's second-largest export sector. The elections for the Chairmanship of the Istanbul Chemical Substances and Products Exporters Association (İKMİB) were held on 14 April 2026 at the Haliç Congress Centre. At the general meeting, which took place with strong participation from leading sector representatives, İKMİB and board members, exporters and civil society organisations, Vefa Ibrahim Araci, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kocaeli Gebze V Chemistry Specialised Organized Industrial Zone (GEBKİM OSB) and Koruma Companies Group, was elected as İKMİB Chairman as the sole candidate.

The new period in the chemistry industry, which plays a locomotive role in Turkey's exports and maintains its position as the second-largest exporting sector, has begun with a strong structure that brings together the experience and energy of a renewed team. The İKMİB 2026 Annual Electoral General Meeting, held at the Haliç Congress Centre on 14 April, took place with strong participation from sector representatives and members. In the general meeting where all participating members cast their votes, there were no invalid or incomplete votes. This structure, combining the institutional knowledge and field experience of the past with the dynamism and innovative perspective of the new period, brings with it a management approach that understands the sector well, has strong export reflex and effective decision-making processes. This integrated approach is expected to provide stronger coordination under the İKMİB roof, increase the sector's competitive strength and accelerate progress towards sustainable export targets.

"This Partnership Will Determine Our Future"

In his remarks before the election, Vefa Ibrahim Araci reiterated the emphasis on unity and common sense, stating that the strength of the chemistry sector is nourished by solidarity rather than competition. He said: "We approached this process not as a competitive race, but as a responsibility towards our sector's common future. When we say 'Time for Chemistry Unity', we mean an understanding that encompasses all sectors of industry, considers common benefit and grows the culture of working together. The picture that has emerged today shows that our sector can come to a common agreement despite its different structures and experiences. In a period when trade balances are changing on a global scale and supply chains are being reshaped, it is a critical responsibility for all of us to maintain our production capacity and continue our exports firmly. With this understanding, we will take our sector further with a strong team and common sense."

Araci noted that they have a strong working harmony dating back many years with names who have served on the Board of Directors in previous periods, and that they are starting out with a structure that understands the sector's dynamics and operations. Emphasising that they have formed a team with high export experience, good understanding of the field and willingness to take responsibility, Araci expressed his belief that this strong harmony will provide important contributions to İKMİB's work in the new period.

New Period Encompassing 16 Sub-Sectors

Araci stated that they will operate with a management approach that encompasses all 16 sub-sectors operating under the İKMİB roof, explaining that in the new period export strategies will be addressed on a sub-sector basis and data-driven decision mechanisms will be strengthened.

Highlighting that the export model focusing particularly on high value-added products will be among priority targets, Araci drew attention to the fact that increasing domestic production capacity in basic chemicals is also a critical issue for the sector.

Noting that the steps taken during the tenure of İKMİB's previous chairman Adil Pelister brought the sector to its current strong position, Araci emphasised that the new period will be built on this accumulated knowledge.

Adil Pelister emphasises "Unity, Value and Added Value"

During his activity report, İKMİB's former chairman Adil Pelister emphasised that the greatest strength of the chemistry sector at its current position is the culture of acting together. Pelister stated that during his tenure they not only increased export figures, but also built a lasting "spirit of unity" and understanding of common sense within the sector. He said: "We stood firm in difficult times through solidarity, and shared success in good times together. At the point we have reached today, our sector is moving forward not only with production but also with knowledge, technology and innovation power."

After his 8-year tenure, Pelister is ready to hand over his responsibilities and expressed good wishes for the new period, thanking all team members he worked with. Along with the names he worked with under the same board structure during his tenure, he also extended his wishes of success to Vefa Ibrahim Araci and his team, who are taking over in the new period.

Araci elected Chairman by majority vote

Vefa Ibrahim Araci, the sole candidate for the İKMİB Chairmanship and elected by broad sector consensus, is preparing to carry his vision, which stands out through his industrialist identity, into the new period. Explaining that they will bring the success achieved in GEBKİM, Turkey's first chemistry specialised organised industrial zone, under the İKMİB roof, Araci stated that the aim is to make this clustering, integrated production and sustainability-focused model widespread throughout the sector: "We are embarking on this journey with a team that brings together experience and energy in the same structure. This journey is not a process to be carried on the shoulders of this team alone. The will to move the chemistry sector forward will be shaped by the common contribution of all our members along with the administration."

Araci invited all stakeholders of the sector to be an active part of the process, calling for enlarging common sense and making the culture of acting together permanent.

New İKMİB Board Members Announced

At the general meeting chaired by Mehmet Şafak Türkay, the new İKMİB Board of Directors to serve in the new period was also composed of strong names representing different areas of the sector. In the new administration led by Vefa Ibrahim Araci: 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) and Eralp Erdem (Turkuaz Polyester).

This new period beginning at İKMİB stands out as a transformation process that goes beyond a management change, aiming to make the culture of acting together permanent throughout the sector. Strengthening communication within the sector, placing information sharing on a more systematic basis and implementing policies to support sustainable export growth are among the priority targets of the new period.