The plastics industry has an important role to play in the global economy by providing basic materials for a variety of industries, from packaging and construction to automotive and healthcare.
Plastic, one of the most sophisticated materials of our age, has created an important revolution in raw materials with its cost-effective, durable and lightweight properties. Plastic and plastic-related production in many countries of the world has also caused this sector to have an important share in logistics.
The global plastics market is a multi-billion dollar industry that serves as the backbone for numerous sectors, including packaging, automotive, electronics, healthcare and consumer goods. The need for plastics continues to grow, especially in emerging economies where industrialisation and urbanisation are increasing. The plastics market is led by Asia-Pacific, with China being the largest producer and consumer of plastics in this region.
Rapid industrial expansion in India and Southeast Asia also contributes to the expansion of the plastics industry. All countries in this region demand plastics for their rapidly developing economies and populous populations.
North America and Europe continue to be the main countries focusing on high-performance plastics and sustainability-oriented innovations in the global plastics market. The shift towards bioplastics, recyclable materials and circular economy practices has gained momentum in these regions as governments have introduced stringent regulations to reduce plastic waste.
The petrochemical industry also remains an important supplier of raw materials for plastics production, with oil and gas companies playing an important role in determining market trends.
However, fluctuations in crude oil prices, trade policies and geopolitical factors affect production costs and supply chain stability by affecting overall market dynamics.
Turkey is one of the leading plastics producers in Europe. Turkey’s strategic location bridging Europe and Asia provides a competitive advantage in terms of raw material access and export opportunities.
Turkey’s plastics industry has achieved significant growth over the years thanks to investments in production capacity, technological developments and a strong domestic market.
Packaging, an important part of the plastics sector, is one of the largest consumers of plastics in Turkey, with food, beverage and healthcare packaging leading the demand.
The automotive and construction sectors also contribute significantly, using plastic materials for lightweight components, insulation and pipework. Turkish manufacturers produce a wide range of plastic products, including films, sheets, containers and industrial components, supplying both domestic and international markets.
Exports play an important role in Turkey’s plastics sector, with Europe being the primary market. Turkish plastic products are known for their competitive prices and high quality, making them attractive to international buyers.
Logistics is a key element in the plastics industry, ensuring that raw materials, semi-finished products and finished plastics and derivative products are efficiently shipped along the supply chain. The industry has a highly complex logistics network of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers to deliver plastic materials to various sectors around the world. In other words, air, sea and land transport all play an active role in the logistics of the plastics industry.
Due to the high volume of plastics production, maritime transport is one of the preferred options in international trade, especially for bulk shipments of raw plastic materials and finished products.
Ports with high handling capacity have an important position in the plastics industry. Major exporting countries such as China, the United States and Turkey have high capacity product transport by maritime transport.
Road transport also has an important place in the plastics industry. In particular, raw materials or finished products required for domestic demand are easily transported to inland areas by road transport. In addition, plastic raw materials or finished products are easily transported by road to neighbouring countries that do not have a coastline.
Airline transport does not have a significant share in the plastics sector. Airline transport generally allows more sensitive and urgent products to be transported from one point to another within hours. However, plastic finished products are also transported by air transport depending on the sector.
