Turkey Leads Europe in Cement Production

Turkey Leads Europe in Cement Production Fatih Yücelik, Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Cement Manufacturers Association, stated: "With 2022 figures, we are the world's 5th largest and Europe's leading producer as a sector. With a production capacity of 119 million tonnes, we are sufficient for Turkey and the world." In his statement, Yücelik evaluated the 2022 production, sales and export figures and noted that following the earthquake disaster that occurred on 6 February centred in Kahramanmaraş, they continue to provide support to the region to rapidly heal the wounds. Pointing out that the previous year cannot be assessed as a productive year due to the negative repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic period and the adverse effects of the Ukraine-Russia War, Yücelik stated that the cement sector completed 2022 with a contraction in both domestic and foreign sales tonnage, also affected by the contraction experienced in the construction sector.  

"25.1 percent of cement was subject to exports"

  Yücelik conveyed that the sector, operating with 77 cement plants in Turkey, directly employs 17,500 people, and made the following assessment regarding the sector's 2022 production and sales figures: "After 2021, when our sector experienced approximately 6 percent growth, it entered 2022 with a decline in the domestic market and an increase in exports. In 2022, the total cement production of TÜRKÇIMENTO members, representing 94 percent of the sector, fell to 73 million 708 thousand tonnes with a 6.6 percent decline compared to the previous year. Our members' domestic sales decreased by 9.3 percent in 2022 to 54 million 610 thousand tonnes. Approximately 25.1 percent of the cement produced last year was subject to exports. In 2022, cement sector exports were realised as 27.2 million tonnes with a 12 percent decline. Of this export, 18.7 million tonnes consisted of cement and 8.5 million tonnes of clinker. The downward trend in exports continues in 2023 as well." Stating that the cement sector reached a capacity of 119 million tonnes in 2022 through investments made and that the capacity utilisation rate was 65 percent, Yücelik said: "Looking at our 2022 capacity utilisation rate, we continue production below installed capacity. While we see that both domestic and foreign market developments do not yet reflect our true potential, I believe that our sector will achieve greater success in the coming period. With 2022 figures, as a sector we are the world's 5th largest and Europe's leading producer. With a production capacity of 119 million tonnes, we are sufficient for Turkey and the world."

"We are leaving our mark on America's foundations"

  Yücelik, pointing out that the sector's cement exports are mainly to the USA and Middle East, noted the following: "I would particularly like to open a parenthesis on the US market. Turkey's cement exports to the USA increased by 35 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, reaching 9.8 million tonnes. 50 percent of our country's cement exports were realised to the USA. As you know, ageing infrastructure is being renewed in the USA lately. With the quality of our products and our success in logistics, we are leaving our mark on America's foundations with Turkish cement." Source