TÜRKÇİMENTO Brought the International Cement Industry Together in Antalya

The 18th edition of the TÜRKÇİMENTO International Technical Seminar & Exhibition—one of the most significant meeting points for cement brands operating both nationally and internationally—was held in Antalya. TÜRKÇİMENTO Chairperson Adil Sani Konukoğlu stated, “The cement industry is not merely a field of production; it is a strategic force in Türkiye’s economic, environmental and social transformation.”

Organized annually by TÜRKÇİMENTO, the International Technical Seminar & Exhibition kicked off in Antalya. This year’s event, which brought together numerous cement brands and professionals from Türkiye and around the world for the 18th time, was held under the main theme “Green Cement in the New Century: Græcement.”

Addressing current developments and future-shaping solutions in areas ranging from green and digital transformation to innovation, next-generation cements, and sustainable production, the event once again achieved great success. More than 600 participants and over 150 companies took part in the seminar.

During the opening session, which focused on topics such as “Green and Digital Transformation, Innovation, Sustainable Production, and Next-Generation Cements,” TÜRKÇİMENTO Chairperson Adil Sani Konukoğlu noted:
“Today, we are opening a new chapter that will shape the future of our industry. The cement sector is not just a field of production; it is a strategic force in Türkiye’s economic, environmental and societal transformation.”

Konukoğlu emphasized that despite global challenges, the Turkish cement industry continues to grow, produce, and remain one of the world’s strongest players. He continued:
“Green transformation is no longer a choice—it is the core strategy of our sector. The Turkish cement industry is one that does not postpone sustainability goals but turns them into reality. We manage this transformation on three pillars: green, digital, and human-centric transformation. The triple transformation is now not just a target but the gateway to our future. Every year, we use less fossil fuel and more recovered energy. Each step we take strengthens Türkiye’s sustainable future—from carbon reduction to circular economy.”

During the opening, speeches were also delivered by Dr. Wang Yutao, Secretary General of the China Cement Association, and Henning Sasse, President of the Azerbaijan Cement Producers Association.

Nihat Özdemir: “We must transition from grey cement to green cement”

TÜRKÇİMENTO Vice Chairperson and Chair of ÇEİS, Nihat Özdemir, highlighted the ambitious nature of the Turkish cement sector, noting that its standing in Europe and globally is the most important indicator of this strength.

Özdemir stated:
“The sector currently has an equivalent production capacity of 124 million tons. This year, we increased our capacity utilization rate to 77%. This is good. But we still have unused capacity, so there is no need for new investments. However, we must transition from grey cement to green cement. Modernization is necessary, and investments should focus on this area. Our companies have begun making such investments over the past 4–5 years.”

He also touched upon mega projects, noting that Türkiye implemented major infrastructure projects between 2013 and 2021, but that both in Türkiye and globally, such projects have slowed down since the pandemic.

TÜRKÇİMENTO CEO Bozay: “Growth is not reflected in revenue or net income”

TÜRKÇİMENTO CEO Volkan Bozay emphasized that following the earthquake, sectoral sales increased by 5%.
“However, this increase is not reflected in revenue or net income. When we look at the turnover of cement companies listed on the stock exchange, we see a 5% decline. Net income has dropped by 30%,” said Bozay.
He added that the sector will struggle to finance green transformation solely with internal resources and that financing needs are expected to increase.

Dr. Wang Yutao: “We hope to cooperate with you toward the zero-carbon goal”

China Cement Association Secretary General Dr. Wang Yutao expressed his pleasure in attending the event in person for the first time after years of only sending greetings. He noted that by the end of 2024, 1,543 cement production lines were operating in China, with national production capacity reaching 1.8 billion tons.

“We are part of our country’s carbon-neutrality target and are making significant efforts to reduce emissions. Since 2020, major pollutants released by the cement industry have shown a continuous decreasing trend. We hope to work together more closely for the transformation of our sector. We look forward to cooperating with you toward the goal of zero carbon,” he said.

Henning Sasse: “We aim to source all our electricity consumption from green energy”

Azerbaijan Cement Producers Association President Henning Sasse stated that although Azerbaijan is smaller than Türkiye, the industry has a strong presence.
“In Azerbaijan, we are discussing what can be done to achieve net-zero goals. Even though we are a newly established association—just one year old—we have already announced our net-zero target. We have included government officials, decision-makers, and the construction sector in this process,” he said.

He noted that green energy is one of Azerbaijan’s hottest agenda items:
“The government has taken significant steps regarding green electricity. As a sector, we aim to source all our electricity consumption entirely from green energy. Even though we are an oil-rich country, sustainability and energy transformation stand out as critical areas for the future. We closely follow the work of Turkish cement producers on LC3 and cementitious materials and believe this could be an opportunity for Azerbaijan as well.”

European Cement Association CEO Koen Coppenholle began his speech by extending condolences for the passing of former TÜRKÇİMENTO Chairman Fatih Yücelik. He stated that innovation and sustainability—the main theme of the event—are also priority areas for their organization, and highlighted that the European Cement Association pursues decarbonization efforts while maintaining competitiveness.

Since its inception in 1987, the event has continued to serve as a platform bringing together national and international industry suppliers, supporting innovation and development within the cement sector.