With the motto "Adding Value to Life through Innovation," Huntsman offers solutions to a wide range of sustainability-focused challenges in consumer and industrial markets. In our interview, Burçak Özer, Managing Director responsible for Huntsman Polyurethanes Turkey and the MENA Region, shared detailed information with our readers about the products and services offered by Huntsman, as well as the scope of the company's operations in Turkey.
Report: Murat Soygür
Huntsman, under the motto "Adding Value to Life through Innovation," offers sustainability-focused solutions to challenges across a broad range of consumer and industrial markets. In this report, Burçak Özer, Managing Director responsible for Huntsman Polyurethanes Turkey and MENA Region, shared detailed information with our readers about the products and services Huntsman provides as well as the scope of the company's operations in Turkey.
Could you briefly describe your professional career journey and your current role at Huntsman?
I have been working in the chemical industry for over twenty years, during which I have held leadership roles in procurement, supply chain, commercial excellence, business development, and general management. I started my career in Istanbul with Clariant, then spent several years in Basel working at a regional scale with broader responsibilities. I joined Huntsman Textile Effects in 2019; the company became part of Archroma in 2023. Before returning to Huntsman, I served as Country Manager for Turkey and Business Director for Textile Effects covering Turkey, Middle East, and Africa.
Since June 2025, I have been serving as Managing Director responsible for Turkey, Middle East, and Africa regions within Huntsman Polyurethanes. Based at our facility in Istanbul Tuzla, I lead our polyurethane business covering Turkey, Huntsman UAE (Dubai), and APC JV (Saudi Arabia). Our focus is to direct our teams toward sustainable growth, develop customer partnerships, and strengthen Huntsman's strategic presence in this region.
Could you provide information about the scope of Huntsman's operations in Turkey? Which industries are you prioritizing in Turkey?
Turkey is one of the most dynamic and strategically important locations for Huntsman. We conduct polyurethane manufacturing at our Istanbul (Tuzla) facility and are supported by a strong commercial and technical service organization. Our local storage and supply chain operations also provide customers with fast and flexible delivery options across the region.
The market segments we prioritize in Turkey reflect the country's strong industrial infrastructure and export capabilities and include the following sectors and applications:
-Composite sandwich panels (PIR/PUR) for the construction sector
-Home appliances, particularly refrigerator and deep freezer insulation
-Footwear sector (supported by a large and competitive manufacturing cluster)
-Automotive and seating systems
-CASE – adhesives, coatings, and elastomers
In close collaboration with our customers, we provide polyurethane solutions optimized for performance, cost-effectiveness, and compliance with local regulations.
What role does the Turkish market play in Huntsman's global strategy?
Turkey plays a critical role in Huntsman's long-term regional growth plans. Its strong manufacturing infrastructure, qualified workforce, and proximity to European, Middle Eastern, and CIS markets make this region a natural hub for development and expansion.
Within our global strategy, Turkey contributes to Huntsman's objectives to accelerate growth in high-value-added applications such as insulation, home appliances, footwear, and CASE. We are strengthening our local capabilities through greater product localization, expanded technical support, and deeper strategic partnerships with customers.
Turkey is not only a major market for our polyurethane technologies; it also serves as a bridge to surrounding regions. This position provides us with a unique advantage in supporting customers across a broad geographic and supply network.
How do Huntsman's polyurethane solutions address the industry's fundamental needs such as energy efficiency, durability, and performance?
Huntsman is recognized globally for high-performance MDI, polyol systems, and advanced polyurethane technologies. Our solutions in Turkey are developed to meet increasingly demanding expectations regarding performance, regulations, and sustainability.
Energy efficiency: We supply PIR/PUR insulation systems; developed with low lambda values, these systems support net-zero and energy-efficient building goals in compliance with international and Turkish standards.
Durability and long-term performance: Our formulations focus on mechanical strength, fire performance, and dimensional stability; developed to suit local climate conditions and application requirements.
Manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness: Fast-cure systems, improved foam flow, and low scrap rates reduce production costs. We support our customers directly through process optimization, plant trials, and on-site technical guidance.
Sustainability: We are developing lower-emission technologies and working with global R&D to explore circular chemistry, bio-based components, and recycling pathways.
Our objective is not only to provide solutions that perform today but also to deliver solutions that are valid and responsible for the future.
What are the trends and developments that will shape the future of the polyurethane industry?
The polyurethane industry is entering a transformation process driven by sustainability, regulations, and new manufacturing technologies. The major trends we are observing developing rapidly are:
-Increasing demand for high-performance PIR insulation supporting energy-efficient buildings
-Circularity and low-carbon materials becoming standard expectations
-Stricter fire, VOC, and environmental regulations triggering new formulation design
-Greater localization of supply chains and faster response requirements
-Digitalization and automation in manufacturing – real-time process optimization and waste reduction
Turkey will play a strong role in this transformation, particularly through the export-driven growth of the composite panel, home appliance, footwear, and automotive sectors. Polyurethane will continue to be the preferred material for lightweight, durable, and high-performance applications.
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