Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sima Aluminum Production Line held at İMES OSB in Dilovası district of Kocaeli, Kacır said that we are in a process where the political and economic order in the world is being reconstructed, supply chains are becoming fragile and production models are being redefined, and in this critical juncture, countries that support a strong industrial infrastructure with a unique and competitive R&D and innovation ecosystem are rising in the global league.
Stating that they have made the country the epicenter of high value-added and competitive production with the innovation and research ecosystem, planned industrial areas and reformative breakthroughs they have built in the last 23 years under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Kacır noted that they have built a Turkish industry that is the first in the world in the production of military unmanned aerial vehicles and the leader in Europe in commercial vehicles, solar panels, buses, white goods, steel and cement.
Emphasizing that they crowned the tremendous leap in production capacity and capabilities with the new records they achieved in exports, Kacır said, “We increased our annual product exports, which were 36 billion dollars in 2002, to 273.5 billion dollars under the leadership of our manufacturing industry. “We broke records in production and exports in the post-pandemic period when industry lost blood in many European countries.” he said.
Kacır pointed out that the aluminum industry, which provides critical input for high-tech applications in a wide range from the automotive to the construction sector, from electronics to chemistry, from machinery manufacturing to defense and aerospace, is among the architects of this success and said, “Our sector, which employs more than 35 thousand people in 1500 companies, strengthens our country’s position in global supply chains with its high value-added production structure, advanced product quality, wide product range and technological depth.
2025 was the year of breakthrough in which our industry surpassed new thresholds. Despite global shocks, our sector exports increased by 7 percent compared to the previous year and reached 5.6 billion dollars. The added value increased with the amount of our exports and exceeded 4 thousand 500 dollars per ton. Today, we are 14th in the world in aluminum product exports. “In rod and profile exports, we rank 3rd in the world and 2nd in Europe.” he said.
Stating that they have determinedly implemented the steps that will make Turkey one of the leading aluminum production centers in Europe, strengthen the competitive ability of the sector and increase its effectiveness in foreign markets, Kacır continued: “Undoubtedly, the global aluminum market is changing with decarbonization, sustainability and the integration of advanced production technologies into production processes.
Countries that correctly read the dynamics of the new era will increase their competitiveness and gain a stronger position in global markets. Countries that are trapped in traditional production models will lose altitude in the global race. We, the right strategy, We have the opportunity and capability to turn this transformation into a significant opportunity for our country with a determined vision and cost-effective financing.
In our Aluminum Sector Low Carbon Road Map we prepared with this understanding, we have identified the modernization, renewable energy integration and waste heat recovery investments that our sector needs in the transition to low-carbon production. In order to facilitate our industrialists’ access to global financial resources, we have recently provided more than 1 billion dollars of financing to our country in cooperation with the World Bank.
We have taken an important step to provide 5 billion euros of international financing for the green transformation investments of our industry by 2030 with the ‘Türkiye Industry Decarbonization Investment Platform’, which we have implemented in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. With the Green Transformation Program, we provide cash support of up to 226 million liras and tax deductions of up to 40 percent of investments for investment projects of our manufacturing industry companies aimed at circular economy, waste management, resource efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
“Our industry will continue to grow with both investments in new alloy products and the support we provide to green and digital transformation, and hopefully it will become Europe’s number 1 aluminum production and processing base.” “We have built a defense industry ecosystem that is envied by the whole world.” Minister Kacır stated that the facility, which was opened with an investment size of 65 million dollars, is a strategic achievement that serves the industry’s high value-added production, export-oriented growth and green transformation targets.
Explaining that they have built a defense industry ecosystem that the whole world envies, under the leadership of President Erdoğan in the last 23 years, Kacır said, “Today, we are talking about Turkey, which designs, develops, produces and competitively exports its own UAVs, UCAVs, helicopters, naval platforms, land vehicles, ammunition and smart defense systems to the world. Behind this great breakthrough, which enabled us to increase our domestic supply rate in defense products from 20 percent to 80 percent, is the localization of critical components.” “It has the will, strong R&D infrastructure and production infrastructure that we have built with determination.” made his assessment.
Pointing out that high-technology-oriented production facilities such as Sima Aluminum support the development of the defense industry by providing the lightness, durability and high strength that the sector needs, Kacır said, “We appreciate the role that Sima Aluminum, with its strong R&D knowledge and production methodology, plays in the leading defense projects of our country, from unmanned aerial vehicles to national infantry rifles, from Storm howitzers to armored vehicles, from kamikaze drones to ammunition production.
“Exports of more than 10 million dollars to the world’s leading defense markets are a sign of the global competitiveness of our aluminum sector and defense industry.” he said. Kacır stated that the inaugurated facility will enable the domestic production of high-alloy aluminum extrusion products, which have been largely procured from abroad so far, and said, “While the facility will strengthen the capabilities of our defense industry, it will be one of the concrete reflections of the full independence goal of our National Technology Move on the field.
I hope that our facility, which stands one step ahead with its harmony with the twin transformation process of our industry, will be beneficial and auspicious for our country and nation.” he said. Emphasizing that this step taken towards a larger, stronger, fully independent and prosperous Turkey will be a strong signature for the bright future of the country, Kacır congratulated those who contributed to the realization of the facility, which he stated will contribute to the country’s value-added and high-efficiency production.
Sima Aluminum General Manager Mustafa Çığlı stated that this investment is not only an economic initiative but also a concrete indicator of their trust and belief in the country. Emphasizing that they will continue their investments with determination in Turkey’s production power, industry and future, Çığlı said, “In this direction, we plan to lay the foundation of the new factory in Sakarya, with a closed area of 65 thousand square meters and an investment of approximately 80 million dollars, in the first quarter of 2027.
I hope God will grant us the opportunity to open that facility with our Minister.” he said. General Manager Mustafa Çığlı and Sima Alüminyum General Coordinator Celalettin Kırboz presented a painting to Minister Kacır after the speeches. Kacır cut the opening ribbon with protocol members and then toured the factory. Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş, Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Hasan Soba, Dilovası District Governor Metin Kubilay, Dilovası Mayor Ramazan Ömeroğlu also attended the program.
Source: AA
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