Plastic and Rubber processing machinery in Türkiye

The Turkish plastic and rubber processing machinery sector is а dynamically developing industry which accounts for a relatively large share of the country’s export business. It is among the areas where Turkey is strongly competitive.

The plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in the country by enabling innovation, creating quality of life for citizens and facilitating resource efficiency and climate protection, the Turkish plastic industry association PAGEV informs. More than 250 000 people are working in about 14 000 enterprises in the sector. Mainly small- and medium-sized companies are active in the plastic industry. They create a turnover in excess of 34 billion dollars per year.

According to “Turkish plastics processing machinery industry follow-up report”, conducted by PAGEV, the plastics industry is one of the key drivers of the Turkish economy. “With over 10 million tons of production, 40 billion dollars in revenue, 5 billion dollars in direct exports and an annual rate of growth that has consistently exceeded 10% over the last decade, the industry is increasingly a major contributor to the economy. The industry has the second highest production capacity in Europe and sixth in the world”, the study states.

Plastic processing machinery sector

Turkey is a country which imports about 60-80% of plastic processing machines, parts and accessories and is a net importer in these products and can not provide sufficient added value with low export prices compared to developed western societies, official reports show. “As the plastics industry is growing rapidly, the production of plastic processing machines does not develop parallel to this pace, and the sector can not develop against imports made from cheap machine-maker countries, especially from China.

The lack of a state strategy for the plastic processing machinery industry and the inadequate protection of the domestic producers cause the production of plastic processing machines in Turkey not to improve sufficiently”.

The plastics industry has invested an average of 850 million dollars in machinery and equipment per year between 2013 and 2017. During this period presses and other machines shared 36% of total investments, injection machines – 22%, extrusion – 18%, thermoforming – 5%, blow molding – 2% and parts and components – 17%.
518 million dollars of production, 583 million dollars of imports, 169 million dollars of exports and 932 million dollars of domestic sales were realized in 2017, PAGEV’s statistics show. The annual average growth rates for the last 5 years in plastics processing machinery were as follows: 11,2% for production, 2,6% for imports, 6,1% for exports, 6,2% for domestic sales and 1,3% for foreign trade.

Almost 600 companies produce plastic processing machines, parts and components in Turkey. 78% of them are located in Istanbul and 6% in Izmir, PAGEV informs. The value chain represented by the Association includes polymer manufacturers, product manufacturers, equipment builders and casting companies.

Statistic information

According to PAGEV, the production of plastic processing machines has increased by an average rate of 11,2% a year between 2013 and 2017. The exports of plastic processing machines has increased by an average rate of 6,1% a year during the same period. The exports of plastics processing machines worth 169 million dollars in 2017, increased by 16% compared to 2016. The total production was worth 518 million dollars in 2017, increasing by 16% with respect to 2016. In the period 2013-2017 injection machines accounted for 5%, extrusion machines – 13%, blow molding machines – 1%, thermoforming machines – 13%, presses and other machines – 36% and parts and components – 33% of total plastic processing machines production.

Statistics for the same period show that injection machines accounted for 7%, extrusion machines – 20%, blow molding machines – 1%, thermoforming machines – 14%, presses and other machines 43% and parts and components 14% of total plastic processing machines exports.

For this 5-year period the plastics industry in Turkey has invested an average of 850 million dollars in machinery and equipment per year. Presses and other machines shared 36% of total investments, injection machinery – 22%, extrusion – 18%, thermoforming – 5%, blow molding – 2% and parts and components – 17%.

The process capacity of the Turkish plastics industry was 2,5 million tons in 2001 and reached 9,6 million tons by the end of 2017. The industry manufactured about 343 000 units by the end 2017. Between 2001 and 2017 the plastics industry’s processing capacity increased by an average of 7,9% as the machinery park increased by 29,2% annually.

19% of the Turkish plastics processing machinery park consists of injection machines, 10% are extrusion machines, 1% - blow molding, 4% - thermoforming machinery and 66% are presses and other machines. As of 2017, 30% of the total processing machinery park of the Turkish plastics industry is sold by domestic producers while 70% of it is imported.

Plastic and rubber machinery reports

A current report - “Plastic and rubber processing machinery”, conducted and published by the Ministry of Economy in Turkey, states that for decades the growing demand for plastic and rubber products has resulted in the development of a strong processing industry. “Turkey produces all kinds of plastic and rubber products, ranging from traditional products to the newly innovated ones, such as plastic construction and irrigation products, plastic and rubber auto parts, plastic table and kitchenware, plastic parts of electronic, electrical and household items as well as plastic packing products”, the report adds.

Turkish plastic and rubber processing industry owes its capability to its comparatively recent foundation as well as the domestic production of basic plastic and rubber products. Latest developments and new designs are implemented in this young sector with the help of the latest technology brought from all over the world, the Ministry of Economy further elaborates. The main product groups of the sector are: injection molding machines, extruders, other molding and forming machines.

Many Turkish machinery manufacturers have national and international quality certificates such as the Turkish Standards (TSE) and International Quality Standards (ISO 9001, ISO 9002). Turkish-made plastic and rubber processing machinery has the CE Mark in accordance with technical harmonization with Europe.

Export and import data

The annual export level in the plastic and rubber processing machinery reached around 170 million dollars in 2017. The sector exports to over 110 countries in the world. Major export markets for plastic and rubber processing machinery are Russia, Iran, Algeria, Germany and Romania. Bulgaria, Romania and Greece are also among the important export destinations.

The main exported product groups include: injection molding machines for processing rubber or plastics; extruders for processing rubber or plastics, blow molding machines for processing rubber or plastics, vacuum molding machines and other thermoforming machinery, machinery for molding or retreading pneumatic tyres, for molding or forming inner tubes of rubber or plastics, machinery for molding or forming rubber or plastics, parts for machines for processing rubber or plastic, etc.

In 2017, the sector import reached 583 million dollars with an annual increase of 0,4%. Major import markets for plastic and rubber processing machinery are: China, Germany, Italy, Austria and Japan.

Mostly imported product groups include: injection molding machines for processing rubber or plastics; extruders for processing rubber or plastics, blow molding machines for processing rubber or plastics, vacuum molding machines and other thermoforming machinery, machinery for molding or retreading pneumatic tyres, for molding or forming inner tubes of rubber or plastics, machinery for molding or forming rubber or plastics, parts for machines for processing rubber or plastic, etc.

Leading industry organizations

The Association of Turkish Machine Manufacturers (MIB) was established in 1990. It is an industry association representing manufacturers of machines, equipment and accessories. It is a non-governmental organization covering the entire machinery sector and has approximately 200 member companies. MIB is the Turkish representative of EMO – one of the most important fairs in the world. It is also one of the supporters of MAKTEK Eurasia, MAKTEK Izmir, KONMAK, and Bursa Industry Summit which are held in Turkey. MIB is a full member of CECIMO (the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries and related Manufacturing Technologies) since 1999. MIB is one of the two country representatives which do not participate in the European Union and are members of CECIMO, uniting 15 EU member countries.

The Turkish Machinery Exporters Association was established in 2002 in order to coordinate all kinds of activities that will increase Turkish exports while gathering all machinery exporters under the same organization. It aims to carry out activities increasing export sales to target countries through either improving the image of Turkish machinery in international markets or directing the promotion and R&D policies conducted in the sector. In addition, it has a goal to implement domestic marketing policies aimed at strengthening the product image of Turkish machinery at the national level.

PAGEV is one of the leading nongovernmental organizations in Turkey in the field of plastics. PAGEV includes over 1750 companies that account for more than 88% of the plastics value chain in Turkey. PAGEV is an active member of the European Plastics Converters (EuPC) organization, the European Association of Plastics Manufacturers, the Council of International Plastics Associations Directors (CIPAD), and the Waste-Free Oceans Foundation (WFO).

PAGEV promotes the positive contributions of plastics by highlighting the material’s beneficial properties and its positive contributions to society throughout its life cycle and providing society with educational information to help raise awareness and correct misconceptions.

The organization is also active in liaising with European and national institutions in policy matters to secure decisions based on accurate information, as well as in communicating plastics contribution to sustainable development, innovation and quality of life and initiating in depth studies and sharing experiences.

The Turkish Plastics Industry and International Plastic Packaging Technologies Congresses that PAGEV holds every year bring together experts, industrialists and investors in the industry to promote the Turkish plastics industry across the world. PAGEV is also among the organizers of Plast Eurasia Istanbul and PlastPak Izmir – two of the leading international trade fair platforms in the field of plastic processing.

Plast Eurasia Istanbul

Plast Eurasia Istanbul is the largest annual international plastics industry fair in Turkey and Eurasia, and the second largest event of its kind in the world. It is held with the partnership of PAGEV and Tuyap Fairs. This hallmark event brings the entire plastics industry together and showcases the latest developments and technologies in the industry.
Plast Eurasia Istanbul 2020 – the 30th international Istanbul plastics industry fair, will be held on December 2-5, 2020 in the Tuyap Fair Convention and Congress Center, Istanbul. The exhibition will be concurrently held with the 11th Istanbul rubber industry fair, which has become an indispensable gathering point of the rubber sector in the country and on a global scale with its stable growth over the last 10 years.

“Plast Eurasia Istanbul 2020 and Rubber 2020 will continue to reflect the pulse of the sector as they have the past years. These are the most important plastic and rubber industry shows in the region and are attended by many companies from home and abroad. They are visited by thousands of sector professionals. The two events provide platforms for both national and international companies to realize sales and establish business connections”, the event organizers comment.

The product scope of Plast Eurasia includes: plastic profile and pipe extrusion lines, wire lines, rubber and tube lines, plastic injection molding machinery, blow molding machinery, PET blowing machinery, plastic film machinery, bag cutting machinery, injection molding machinery, sprue and central granulators, plastic recycle machines, thermoforming machines, plastic pipe machinery, extruders, flexo-printing machinery, rubber injection molding machinery, PVC mixer machines, machines for plastic packaging technology, etc.

PlastPak Izmir

PlastPak Izmir is another key industry event that has kept its strong position among leading regional and international trade shows in the plastic sector. It is organized by Tuyap, PAGEV, Packaging Manufacturers Association and the Plastics Industry Association of the Aegean.
The next edition of the fair is planned for May 26-29, 2021. The forum will once again bring the whole sector together. It will feature special sections dedicated to food and rubber processing technologies.

The scope of the event includes: plastic processing machines, molds and instruments, heat and control devices, chemicals and raw materials, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, etc.

The previous edition of the fair which took place in 2018 showcased latest developments in the field on a total exhibition area of 9000 square meters. Germany, Taiwan, Italy, South Korea, Uzbekistan, China and Turkey were the best represented countries at the forum.

The platform brought together 105 companies and company representatives from all over Turkey. 12 368 sector professionals visited the fair and had the opportunity to review the most advanced technological products and solutions in the industry.

Companies in the sector

The current article presents a small part of the Turkish companies, active in the manufacturing of plastic and rubber processing machinery.

Hurmak Makine is an injection molding machinery producer. It has 50 years of experience in the industry. Hurmak has its own sales/technical service companies in Poland, Russia and Romania. As of 2020 the company starts production in Russia in corporation with the Ministry of industry and trade of Russia.

Polimer Teknik is a Turkish manufacturer of co-rotating twin screw extruders under the trademark of poex. It produces extruders for the masterbatch, engineering polymers, powder coating and hot-melt markets. It operates a sales office in Russia.

A public owned company, Petkim is the major plastic raw material manufacturer in the country. Petkim produces basic plastic raw materials such as polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), olefins, fiber intermediates, master batches and aromatics.

Since 1980 the company Akkaya engineers and manufactures machinery for processing expandable polystyrene (EPS). The company’s range includes machines and production lines for the manufacture of EPS rigid foam insulating boards for ground floor, wall, ceiling and roof, as well as machines and production lines for the manufacture of EPS-EPP shape moldings.

Almak Makina started its activities in 1968 and is specialized in producing screw barrels and machinery for the plastics industry. In 2001 the machine production and screw barrel production were separated and the company Altech was established.

Altek is a technology-based company specialized in the design, manufacture and installation of aluminum dross and scrap processing systems.

Dikey Makina is specialized in the production of co-ex (3 and 5 layer) PE film extruders, single line PE film extruders, wicket stacking bag cutting machines, gravimetric line control and dosing units.

EGE Proses Machinery is an EPS foam processing machinery and equipment manufacturer. It is located in Izmir and was founded in 1992.

Ozgulmak Plastic Machinery manufactures mono layer blowing film extruders, multi layers AB, ABA, ABC and ABCDE co-ex film extrudes, plastic recycling machines, stretch film and aluminum foil rewinding machines. It exports to 20 countries worldwide and aims to expand its market by focusing on R&D activities.

Sarem Machinery is one of the largest manufacturers of plastic pipe extrusion lines based in Istanbul, Turkey. It’s specialized in machinery production for PP, PE, PVC, PPR-C, corrugated, drip irrigation, PEX-A and multilayer pipes and injection molds for fittings.

Cenar Kalip is a company in the plastic injection mold industry specialized in mold design and manufacturing. Mold processing is completed with high-tech CNC machines, wire erosion and plunge erosion equipment.

Senmak Makine is a manufacturer of plasticizing equipment, founded in 1987. Starting to serve as a machine shop, Senmak has been providing services to the plastic sector since 1990 by manufacturing screw barrels. They are exported to over 20 countries.

Plastic injection machines

25 million dollars of production, 186 million dollars of imports, 12 million dollars of exports and 199 million dollars of domestic market sales were realized in 2017, according to PAGEV reports. In this period foreign trade deficit of plastics injection machines was worth 174 million dollars. 94% of the domestic sales were provided by imports and export coverage of imports was worth 7% in this period. Cumulative aggregated growth rates for the last 5 years covering 2013-2017 were as follows: 5,8% for production, 3,7% for imports, 5,8% for exports, 3,8% for domestic sales and 3,6% for foreign trade deficit.

Injection machines imports from the first 10 countries accounted to 99% of total imports. China received a share of 47% in total imports. Apart from China, Germany, Austria, Japan and Taiwan are the countries from which Turkey imports the most.

In the same period, 63% of the exports of plastics injection machines destined to 10 countries. Algeria, Pakistan and Turkmenistan with a total of 33% share, are the biggest markets to which Turkey has exported plastics injection machines.

Plastic extrusion machines

69 million dollars of production, 99 million dollars of imports, 34 million dollars of exports and 133 million dollars of domestic sales were realized in the plastics extrusion machines segment in 2017, PAGEV statistics show. In the same period, foreign trade deficit of extrusion machines was worth 65 million dollars. 74% of the domestic sales were met by imports and export coverage ratio of imports was worth 35% in the same period.

Cumulative aggregated growth rates for the last 5 years covering 2013-2017 were as follows: 2,4% for production, 0,7% for imports, 2,4% for exports, 1,1% for domestic sales. On the other hand, foreign trade deficit decreased by 0,1% annually in the same period.

The extrusion machines imported from 10 countries accounted for 99% of total imports. The countries from which Turkey imports the most are Germany, Italy and China with a total share of 71%. In the same period 56% of extrusion machines exports destined to 10 countries. Algeria, Uzbekistan and Germany with a share of 24% of total exports are the main export partners in these machines.

Blow molding machines

According to PAGEV’s current reports, in 2017 5 million dollars worth of production, 23 million dollars of imports, about 2 million dollars of exports and 26 million dollars of domestic market sales were realized. The foreign trade deficit in this period was worth 21 million dollars.

89% of the domestic sales were provided by imports in the same period and the exports coverage ratio of imports was worth 8% in the same period. Cumulative aggregated growth rates for the last 5 years covering 2013-2017 were as follows: 2,1% for imports, 87% for production and exports, 4,9% for domestic sales and 0,1% for foreign trade deficit. Turkey imported 99% of blow molding machines from 10 countries. Germany, Italy and Switzerland as the main import partners shared 60% of total imports. In this period, Turkey exported 90% of total blow molding machines to 10 countries and Iraq, Bulgaria and Russian Federation as the main export partners shared 49% of total exports.

Thermoforming machines

In 2017, 60 million dollars of production, 22 million dollars of imports, 24 million dollars of exports and 58 million dollars of domestic market sales were realized. On the other hand, foreign trade deficit of thermoforming machines was worth 2 million dollars in this period. 38% of the domestic sales were provided by imports and export coverage of imports ratio was about 110% in the same period.

Cumulative aggregated growth rates for the last 5 years covering 2013-2017 were as follows: 13,6% for production and exports, 6% for domestic sales. On the other hand, imports decreased by 2,5% per year, PAGEV data shows.

Presses and other machines

In 2017, 188 million dollars of production, 209 million dollars of imports, 73 million dollars of exports and 323 million dollars of domestic market sales were realized in the presses and other machines segment, PAGEV informs. In the 2013-2017 period the foreign trade deficit was worth 136 million dollars. 65% of the domestic sales were provided by imports and the export coverage of imports ratio was 35% in this period. The cumulative aggregated growth rates for the last 5 years covering 2013-2017 were as follows: 5,3% for production, 3,6% in imports, 4,7% in exports, 4,3% in domestic sales and 3% in foreign trade deficit.

Parts and components

According to PAGEV, in 2017, 173 million dollars of production, 44 million dollars of imports, 23 million dollars of exports and 193 million dollars of domestic market sales were realized in the parts and components industry. On the other hand, foreign trade deficit was 21 million dollars in the same period. 23% of the domestic sales were provided by imports in the same period and export coverage of imports ratio was 53% in the same period. The cumulative aggregated growth rates for the last 5 years covering 2013-2017 were as follows: 26,2% for production, 0,7% in imports, 8,2% in exports, 19,8% in domestic sales. On the other hand, foreign trade deficit decreased by 5,3% annually in the same period.

Sources: PAGEV, “Turkish Plastics Processing Machinery Industry Follow-Up Report 2017” by PAGEV; “Plastic and rubber processing machinery” by the Ministry of Economy, Republic of Turkey