"Companies That Adapt to the Made in Europe Process Will Win"

Europe's "Made in Europe" criteria require sweeping transformation across production, energy use and supply chains. For Turkey, this period presents both new export opportunities and potential cost risks if alignment is not achieved. Plastic Manufacturers Federation Chairman Ömer Karadeniz noted that this transformation marks a new competitive era for Turkey containing both risks and significant opportunities.

The "Made in Europe" approach, now central to European industrial policy, brings comprehensive transformation spanning production, energy use, supply chains and public procurement. This new framework, aimed at strengthening manufacturing within Europe, is expected to have significant implications for Turkey's export structure and industrial competitiveness. For this reason, the period is viewed by Turkish industry as both a risk area requiring close monitoring and a new era offering strategic opportunities.

Plastic Manufacturers Federation Board Chairman Ömer Karadeniz noted that the European Union's "Made in Europe" approach, aimed at strengthening domestic production in industry, creates broad impact across production conditions, energy use and supply chains. Karadeniz stated that this new framework targeting increased European manufacturing will have significant consequences for Turkey's export structure and industrial competitiveness.

"Right strategy can create new opportunities for Turkey"
Emphasizing that access to the European market is increasingly tied to sustainability, localization and production standards, Karadeniz said, "Companies that adapt will gain competitive advantage, while those that fail to adapt will face cost increases and market loss risks."

Noting that Turkey has the potential to adapt to this transformation through its strong production infrastructure and flexible industrial structure, Karadeniz stressed that coordinated action between public and private sectors is critical. He said that with the right strategy and timely steps, the process could create new export opportunities for Turkey.

"European industry would be incomplete without Turkey"
Pointing to the strategic nature of Turkey's role in European value chains, Karadeniz emphasized that maintaining the integrity of production networks is vital both for regional competition and supply security. He noted that Turkey's exclusion could have negative consequences not only commercially but also for regional economic stability.

"Customs Union must be updated"
PLASFED Chairman said that one of the most critical issues in this period is strengthening economic integration between Turkey and Europe. Highlighting the importance of aligning existing cooperation mechanisms with current industrial policies, Karadeniz stated that updating the Customs Union could be decisive in this regard. Chairman Karadeniz made the following comments:

"Failure to deepen economic integration and Turkey's insufficient alignment with new industrial policies could weaken production networks. This could affect both Europe's competitive strength and regional economic cohesion. For this reason, it is important that Turkey be more fully included in new industrial mechanisms and that economic cooperation be modernized to align with current conditions in trade, technology and sustainability."

Noting that Europe's transformation is not limited to production policies but encompasses strategic areas such as green transition, digitalization, technology investment and supply security, Karadeniz emphasized that Turkey's positioning as an active participant rather than outside this process is critical.

Karadeniz stated that Turkey should view this transformation not merely as an adaptation process but as a strategic opportunity to strengthen its industrial structure.