TÜRKÇİMENTO Takes Major Step Towards Decarbonization of Cement Sector

The "Programme for Advancing the Decarbonisation of Turkey's Cement Sector," of which TÜRKÇIMENTO is a programme partner, was announced at an introductory meeting held with the participation of public and international stakeholders. The programme, which aims to accelerate Turkey's cement sector's transition to near-zero-emission production, brings together technical assistance and financing mechanisms to support the sector's low-carbon transformation.

Led by Guidehouse Germany, the programme has the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) responsible for the financing mechanism, while UNIDO, UNDP and TÜRKÇIMENTO serve as programme partners. The programme is supported by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change's Directorate for Climate Change and the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

The preparation phase of the programme, which aims to make concrete contributions to Turkey's 2053 net-zero emissions targets, began in 2025–2026. Within the scope of the programme, which is planned to be implemented during 2026–2031, the goals include supporting the regulatory framework, providing project-specific technical assistance, establishing a replicable financing mechanism, and implementing innovative decarbonisation projects.

At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Halil Hasar, Director for Climate Change at the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Ümit Yasin Güven, Deputy Director General of Industry at the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology, Carl Spychal, Head of the Economics and Prosperity Unit at the British Consulate, Miodrag Dragisic, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Turkey, Süleyman Yılmaz, UNIDO Representative in Turkey and Director of the Regional Cooperation Centre, and Dimitri Koufos, Director of Sustainable Business, Industry, Agribusiness and Trade at the EBRD, served as opening speakers.

Volkan Bozay, CEO of TÜRKÇIMENTO, who was also an opening speaker at the introductory meeting, made the following assessment regarding the cement sector's green transformation journey:
"As TÜRKÇIMENTO, we believe that the cement sector plays a strategic role in our country's development. In line with the green development model, we have defined a short, medium and long-term low-carbon production roadmap for our sector. We are working with determination to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the use of alternative fuels and raw materials and implementing green cement practices. The technical assistance provided within the scope of the 'Programme for Advancing the Decarbonisation of Turkey's Cement Sector' and the financial mechanism to be established are of great importance for our sector to move forward together towards its 2053 net-zero targets."

Within the scope of the programme, details of the financing mechanism for decarbonisation projects in the cement sector, blended concessional financing practices and conditions for Turkish cement producers' participation in the programme were also shared. It was emphasized that capacity development, training and knowledge-sharing activities for sector stakeholders are among the important components of the programme.
TÜRKÇIMENTO, which represents approximately 95 percent of Turkey's cement sector, continues its efforts to ensure that the sector becomes sustainable, competitive and climate-resilient through its R&D infrastructure and international collaborations.