Stainless Steel Sector Enters 2026 with New Hopes

Dr. Erdem Şireli, General Secretary of the Stainless Steel Industry Association (PASSAD), assessed the sector's 2026 vision and strategic priorities for protecting domestic production, noting that the sector in Turkey has reached approximately USD 5 billion in size. Emphasizing the critical role of stainless steel in industry, Şireli stated that state protection is of crucial importance for the sustainability of new investments and employment.

The stainless steel sector, whose competitive strength has weakened due to increasingly prevalent dumped imports in recent years, expects regulations to strengthen domestic industry to be implemented without delay in 2026. Ranking among the strongest sectors of the industry, the sector has long been fighting for its survival against dumped products from foreign origins. From space technologies to defense industry, from kitchenware and equipment to automotive, from healthcare to energy, from food to materials used in daily life, stainless steel maintains its position among the economy's strategic inputs. Representatives of the stainless steel sector, which has been combating unfair competition created by rising import pressure and price-cutting practices, stress that strategic protection containing anti-dumping duties will breathe new life into the sector.

Protective Measures Are Vital
PASSAD General Secretary Dr. Erdem Şireli, noting that low-priced products from the Far East and Asia have disrupted market balances and rendered domestic producers unable to produce, stated: "Protective measures to be implemented by our state to shield stainless steel, one of the important pillars of the national economy, from unfair competition are of vital importance. Import regime decisions protecting domestic production, anti-dumping applications and regulations promoting domestic production are the fundamental keys that will open the way for new investments. An environment in which domestic producers are protected directly prepares the ground for new investments," expressing that strategic protection will guide the sector's future. Şireli continued his remarks as follows:

"Reducing dependence on external sources in critical raw materials such as stainless steel, which forms the foundation of many sectors, is only possible through strong domestic production. This strength can only be achieved by ensuring a fair competitive environment. We have an objective of steering our sector to make our country a regional power in this field. We are fully confident that our state will continue to stand by manufacturers and employment-providing industrialists. As PASSAD, we will continue to work with our domestic producers, service centers and all stakeholders in our sector for the future of our country."

PASSAD Prepared Turkey's First Stainless Steel Industry Report
Noting that 2025 was a productive year for the sector, Erdem Şireli stated: "Within the scope of the protocol we signed with Istanbul Technical University, we undertook extremely important work. At the 1st National Stainless Steel Summit, described as the largest gathering of Turkey's stainless steel sector, we brought together nearly 500 academics, professionals and students representing all stakeholders in the sector. The 1st National Stainless Steel Summit Outcome Report, authored by ITU's esteemed academics and ourselves, will be a first for our sector. As PASSAD, we feel great satisfaction at having enabled such valuable work that will guide our sector's future. In the coming period, we will sign many more important projects with ITU. The scholarship program we have prepared and the stainless steel course we will implement for graduate students are among the important applications we have emphasized. 2025 was a productive year for our sector. In 2026, we will continue to be the unifying force of the sector and produce projects that make a difference," he said.