Meeting on Boosting Competitiveness in the Plastics Sector

Enhancing Competitiveness in the Plastics Sector Meeting Gaziantep Chamber of Industry (GSO), Sanko University and Sabancı University jointly organized an online conference on "Enhancing the Competitiveness of Gaziantep's Plastics Sector." At the meeting, information was provided on product development activities, trends, global developments in sectors producing with plastic bags, plastic film, plastic injection products and plastic raw materials. Participants discussed future vision in the plastics industry, sustainability and circular economy, global developments, recycling, advanced recycling, nanotechnology and sector opportunities, and the importance of the EU Green Deal for the plastics sector. Sanko University Rector Prof. Dr. Güner Dağlı, who delivered the opening remarks, emphasized that such events are important for industrial development and spoke about bioplastics and biomedical products, noting that the plastics sector could also explore production of bioplastics and biomedical products. Dağlı added that such events conducted in cooperation with Gaziantep Chamber of Industry will continue. Sabancı University Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Menceloğlu, who presented to participants, underscored that value-added work for the development of the plastics sector is very important in terms of the future vision of the plastics sector. Explaining what needs to be done in Gaziantep's plastics industry, Menceloğlu provided details on trends in the plastics sector, global developments, plastics industry sustainability and circular economy, nanotechnology and sector opportunities, recycling, advanced recycling, product development activities, the European Union Green Deal and its relationship to the plastics sector. Prof. Menceloğlu also provided information on waste recycling through depolymerization, oxidative cracking, catalytic cracking, transesterification-glycolysis, pyrolysis, inert atmosphere cracking, enzymatic cracking, hydrothermal cracking with supercritical water, microwave processing, bio-based solvents and ionic liquids. Speaking also about value-added products obtainable through blends, Prof. Menceloğlu emphasized the importance of conducting R&D and monitoring global trends and developments for advancement and increased competitiveness. Veysel Çelebi, GSO Technical Consulting and SME Development Director, who moderated the meeting, noted that the plastics sector ranks among the main sectors in Gaziantep's manufacturing industry, that plastic granule raw materials, particularly polyethylene and polypropylene, are intensively used, and that the plastics sector makes a high contribution to the economy of the province and country through employment and exports. Emphasizing that companies operating in the plastics sector need to conduct R&D and innovation, Çelebi stated, "By following global trends and developments and turning Green Deal developments into opportunities, they need to produce value-added products and increase their competitiveness. At this point, Gaziantep Chamber of Industry will continue efforts for the development of the plastics sector." In addition to companies operating in the plastics sector, the meeting was attended by Sanko University Rector Prof. Dr. Güner Dağlı, Secretary General Yusuf Ziya Yıldırım and Medical Biochemistry Department Chair Prof. Dr. E. İlker Saygılı. The meeting concluded following answers to questions from participants.