Turkey's plastics industry under pressure
The conflict in the Middle East is hitting Turkish industry hard. The plastics industry has been particularly hard hit: disrupted supply chains and skyrocketing raw material prices have already led to production stoppages in several cities.
Key raw materials such as polymers are now only available in limited quantities, while prices have skyrocketed. Factories in industrial hubs like Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Konya have had to temporarily halt production. The industry is thus facing a double burden of shortages and rising costs.
The repercussions extend far beyond the sector. Plastics are a key material for numerous industries—from packaging and textiles to automotive production. Consequently, concerns are growing about broader economic consequences and additional inflationary pressure.
Industry representatives are now calling for political countermeasures, including tax breaks for raw materials. Another factor is the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions significantly impair the supply of energy and petrochemical feedstocks.
In addition to raw material prices, logistics costs are also rising sharply—with direct consequences for end consumers. Initial price spikes in packaging demonstrate how quickly the crisis is spreading along the value chain.
