Santek Holds Plastics Industry Workshop

Santek Plastic Sector Workshop Held The Ministry of Industry and Technology, Gaziantep Governorate, Gaziantep Chamber of Industry (GSO) and the Turkish Plastics Manufacturers Research Development and Education Foundation (PAGEV) jointly organized a "Plastic Sector Workshop" under the framework of the Industry and Technology Cooperation Council (SANTEK).

"Rapidly developing Gaziantep industry, which is an economic hub"

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology Hasan Büyükdede said that Gaziantep is an important industrial, commercial and cultural center that hosts many civilizations and is a synthesis of different cultures and religions. Büyükdede stated, "In today's global competitive environment, our companies strive to maintain and develop their competitiveness through innovative products, production and management systems in light of technological developments and trends. For this reason, it is of great importance that our universities and manufacturing industry sectors come together under the leadership of our Ministry and act towards a common goal. In order to create and sustain a science, technology, research and development and innovation ecosystem, cooperation mechanisms that bring science and industry together are being effectively carried out by our Ministry and new ones are being encouraged" he said. Expressing that Gaziantep, which is an economic hub in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Region due to its socioeconomic structure, is rapidly developing its industry, Büyükdede said, "Gaziantep is increasing its contributions to our country's economy. Our plastic sector continues its investments in Gaziantep as well as throughout the country with great enthusiasm and appetite." Noting that while the plastic sector is developing in Gaziantep and has high growth potential, Büyükdede stressed that it is important to quickly take action to address the sector's current problems, stating, "In line with this purpose, in this workshop organized within the scope of today's SANTEK event, all stakeholders will fulfill their role in finding solutions. The transformation of Gaziantep industry can only be achieved through cooperation between the public, universities and industry. For this purpose, industrialists will be informed about what needs to be done in these processes and the benefits that industry transformation will bring to enterprises, and will be guided on technological and spatial transformation issues. In line with this vision; we will continue to support Gaziantep, which has research and development, innovation and industrial infrastructure, 6 Organized Industrial Zones, 10 Industrial Sites, 11 Research and Development Centers, 1 Design Center, 1 Technology Development Center, with great enthusiasm to increase its producer identity, value-added strength and innovative growth capacity." GSO Board Vice Chairman Başar Küçükparmak also stated in his speech that the plastic sector is among the most important sectors that need to be emphasized in the circular economy. Stating that production in the sector needs to be made suitable for recycling, Küçükparmak said, "When we do this, we will reduce carbon emissions while also facilitating our transition to production in line with EU Green Deal criteria. Additionally, countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain have carried out work to introduce new criteria regarding plastic imports. Accordingly, they will require that certain proportions of the plastic products they import be produced from recycled-suitable raw materials. Unless postponed, the implementation starting in 2023 will require additional taxes on products that do not meet recycling criteria. This application may begin in all EU countries in the coming period and we need to prepare for it as a sector from now on. Otherwise, as an industry, we may face difficulties in complying with new standards for plastic, plastic-based production and packaging for EU countries where we export the most. This could also lead to significant losses" he said. Noting that 20 percent of enterprises engaged in plastic raw materials and thermoplastic production are located in Gaziantep, Küçükparmak said, "According to 2021, in exports from our city, the textile sector ranks first with 43 percent, while the chemical and plastic sector ranks third with 12 percent. Gaziantep is among the leading cities in the world in the consumption of polyethylene and polypropylene, which are basic raw materials of the plastic sector. These raw materials are used intensively in piece carpet production, where we are world leaders as a city, as well as in PP sack, non-woven fabric and plastic packaging production. For this reason, organizing the Plastic Sector Workshop under the framework of the Industry and Technology Cooperation Council (SANTEK) for our city's plastic sector, which is one of our strongest sectors, is of critical importance. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to and participated in this valuable organization that will add value to our sector in terms of results."

"We aim to increase recycling and sector growth"

PAGEV Chairman Yavuz Eroğlu said that Gaziantep is a leading production center for Turkey's plastic industry. Noting that Gaziantep is the province where polypropylene is consumed the most in the world, Eroğlu said, "PAGEV has resolved many problems hand in hand with our industrialists in Gaziantep from the past to the present. Indeed, apart from the issue of lifting restrictions on raw material imports, we took steps with our Gaziantep industrialists such as placing bags and stretch films under supervision. We have resolved many problems as PAGEV with our industrialists regarding the production of solutions with the public on many items that increase our industrialists' costs. While PAGEV established vocational schools to create a qualified workforce, we have organized Plast Eurasia, Turkey's largest plastic fair for 31 years. Our fair has become the 2nd largest plastic fair held every year in the world. Additionally, with the PAGEV Center of Excellence we are constructing, we plan to increase value added in our sector. PAGEV, which also carries out work related to green transformation, aims to increase recycling and grow the sector as an industry by sharing the steps our companies need to take within the framework of the circular agreement with the sector. We will continue intensive work with our Ministry of Industry, Gaziantep Chamber of Industry and related institutions and organizations on many issues such as developing the Gaziantep plastic processing machinery sector" he said.