The 7th TÜRKÇİMENTO Anatolian Meeting was held in Elazığ

The 7th TÜRKÇİMENTO Anatolian Meeting recently took place in Elazığ, hosted by the Elazığ Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the event, a panel was moderated by Suat Özyaprak, the Founder of Mena Communications Consultancy, with speakers including Fatih Yücelik, Chairman of TÜRKÇİMENTO, Nihat Özdemir, Vice Chairman of TÜRKÇİMENTO, Yasemin Açık, Chairwoman of Seza Cement and Board Member of TÜRKÇİMENTO and Vahap Munyar, the General Coordinator of Nasıl Bir Ekonomi Newspaper. 

Fatih Yücelik, the Chairman of TÜRKÇİMENTO, delivered a speech at the panel where he provided insightful information about the Turkish cement industry. Yücelik reminded that the sector is the fifth largest cement producer globally and is Europe’s leading producer, also ranking as the world's second-largest exporter of total cement and clinker, and added: “Our sector has a cement capacity of 119 million tons and operates in 77 factories, 56 of which are integrated and 21 are grinding, located throughout Türkiye. Notably, TÜRKÇİMENTO members represent 94% of this number”. 

Faith Yücelik pointed out that the devastating earthquake disaster that occurred on February 6, 2023, has made it clear to everyone that cement is not just a commercial product but an essential element for ensuring the safety and security of our lives, and continued: 
“I hope we will never experience such a catastrophic earthquake again. While earthquakes are inevitable for our country, collapsing buildings and the resulting catastrophes can be prevented. 

In the aftermath of the earthquake, the cement sector demonstrated a commendable responsibility. Despite the common perception of concrete and cement production as a simple process like working soil, we, as industry insiders, are well aware of the fact that it involves a series of complex, intricate, and delicate procedures. Therefore, our top priority has always been and still is the production of cement that meets international standards and is constantly monitorable to avert any potential disasters in our country. To fulfill our commitment, our factories operate round the clock to ensure uninterrupted cement supply". 

Stating that the cement sector is a significant contributor to both regional and national economies through its various initiatives such as employment, investment, exports, infrastructure, technological advancement, and sustainability, Yücelik added: “Our aim in the cement sector is to achieve a prominent position in the global arena by excelling in green deal harmonization, alternative fuel, and raw material usage, and energy efficiency while contributing to the economy. The national policy that prioritizes the Green Deal and low-carbon targets would facilitate our sector in overcoming its challenges”. 

Yücelik emphasized that the establishment of cement factories and facilities in urban and regional areas leads to a rise in the income level of the local populace by generating job opportunities, and added: “Cement is a crucial element of international trade, contributing positively to the country’s trade balance and generating foreign exchange for the national economy. As a representative of the Turkish cement sector,  I would like to reiterate that we possess the necessary capacity to facilitate the investments Türkiye requires. Our industry remains committed to supporting our government and nation on the 100th anniversary of the Republic”. 

In his address at the panel, Nihat Özdemir, the Chairman of Limak Holding and the Vice Chairman of TÜRKÇİMENTO expressed his insights on the subject matter: “In February 2023, a major disaster struck us all, and we all joined hands with the government, nation, and private sector to recover from the catastrophe. We did our best to rebuild the damaged houses and infrastructure. As a sector, we pledged to and will remain committed to supporting our government and nation. Our major goal is to achieve low-carbon production, which we aim to accomplish through a two-phase roadmap for 2030 and 2053. Technological transformation in the sector will be crucial for low-carbon production in the upcoming period. Our company is already future-ready by producing products that cater to current needs”. 

Özdemir suggests that the ongoing conflicts in neighboring countries could affect Türkiye’s cement and overall exports. 

In her panel speech, Professor. Dr. Yasemin Açık, the Chairwoman of Seza Cement and Board Member of TÜRKÇİMENTO, said: "Each factory has the ability to alter the countenance of its surrounding region." 

Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık emphasized the positive economic and social impacts of cement factories on the regions where they are located, and to support her argument, she referred to a quote by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, which states that: "Every factory is a fortress." In fact, the factories have the ability to alter the countenance of the surrounding region. As Seza Cement, we are directly connected to the lives of approximately 10,000 people in the area, including suppliers, other stakeholders, and families residing in the region.” Açık highlighted that the cement factories have a unique ability to act as disposal facilities because of their operational processes, and added: “It is possible to incinerate various types of wastes, including industrial, domestic, and environmental, in the furnaces of cement factories. This method can effectively dispose of waste and reduce the use of coal during production, significantly reducing carbon emissions and production costs. Ultimately, this can result in a reduction in the price of cement”. Prof. Dr. Açık stressed the importance of collaboration between public institutions, the private sector, and NGOs to boost the employment rate of women in the cement sector, which currently stands at a mere 6 percent. 

Before the event, TURKÇİMENTO Chairman of the Board Fatih Yücelik, Vice President Nihat Özdemir, Board Member Yasemin Açık and CEO Volkan Bozay visited Elazığ Mayor Mr. Şahin Şerifoğulları in his office.