Turkey boosts composite resins output

Composites production is on the rise in Turkey. The country has weathered the global financial crunch better than its neighbours that it now ranks as amongst the world''s top 20 largest economies - with predictions that it can be amongst the top 10 by 2050. Thanks to the Turkish government''s economic stimulus measures, such as temporary tax cuts for household goods and housing, demand for consumer goods and services has been sustained.

Another major contributor is the construction industry, which has been touted as the world''s second largest and most dynamic construction industries in the world - next to China. Its automotive and shipbuilding industries are also experiencing faster-than-expected growth. Infrastructure investments are also being poured into building of new airports, roads, power plants, dams, and water and sewerage systems. These developments favour the growth of the composites industry which has expanded in recent years. As a result, more companies - both local and foreign - are increasing their output of composites resins to support the country''s demand for such materials.

Dynamic sectors on the rise

Turkey has along history of shipbuilding with boat and ship builders mostly located in the cities of Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya. The various projects implemented by the Turkish government in the past five years to boost shipyard capacity has pushed Turkey''s market share in the worldwide shipbuilding to 1.4% making it the world''s 5th biggest shipbuilder, next to Germany. The government''s ministry of transport aims to move this to 4th rank with the development of the industry to meet global standards. Aside from local builders, foreign ship builders have also set up their operations. The shipbuilding industry exports to Europe and Middle East countries.

Another fast growing industry, the automotive industry, has been a key market for the composites sector as Turkey has over 700 companies engaged in the manufacture of vehicles and automotive parts and components.

With demand for energy on the rise, Turkey''s wind energy production has been expanding its energy supply. Thus, the country is a strong market for companies producing wind turbines. Enercon GmbH, a company based in Northern Germany, is the world''s third largest manufacturer of wind turbines. The company is the first foreign wind turbine producer to put up production facility in Turkey in 2002. Another company, Vestas, also opened a branch in 2009, while Model Enerji entered into a licensing agreement agreement with American Superconductor Corporation Windtech (AMSC-Windtec) for its WT1650 (1.65 MW) turbine design. Under the agreement, Model Enerji obtained exclusive rights to manufacture, sell, install, operate and maintain the WT1650 in Turkey.

Pipe production has also been on the upswing as a result of the resurgence in construction activities. Large composite pipes manufacturers in Turkey offer glass reinforced plastic pipes, mostly in joint venture with foreign companies.

Composite resins production surges

Responding to rising demand from Turkey''s various industries, several companies have started to supply composite resins by establishing their facilities or expanding their manufacturing sites in the country. DSM Composite Resins, through its subsidiary Euroresins Kompozit ürünler Tic Ltd Sti (Euroresins Turkey or ERT) has established a cooperation with Turkish company, Dyo Boya Fabrikalari Sanayi ve Tic AS (DYO) for the production of DSM Composite Resins standard resins. The agreement also paved the way for DYO''s unsaturated polyester resins business to be transferred to ERT.

As announced by Mr. Michael Effing, President of DSM Composite Resins, Turkey is an emerging economy, with a fast growing composites market. The country is also expected to serve aAdidas Yeezy