ISTANBUL, Demand for stainless steel products has risen significantly in line with the rapid development of Turkey's construction, appliance and manufacturing industries. Industry reports indicate that stainless steel consumption in Turkey is expected to grow by 8% year-on-year in 2025, mainly due to the expansion of infrastructure projects and export-oriented industries.

Local production and import dynamics

As a globally important stainless steel producer, Turkey has large steel mills such as Erdemir and Çolakoğlu, which mainly produce 300-series and 400-series stainless steel. In recent years, local companies have increased the capacity of high value-added products through technological upgrading, but some high-end products still need to rely on imports from China, India and the EU.

According to the Turkish Steel Producers Association (TCUD) data, stainless steel imports in the first three quarters of 2023 increased by 12% year-on-year, of which Chinese products due to the price advantage to occupy a larger market share, triggering the local enterprises on the call for anti-dumping measures.

Key applications driving demand

1. Construction: Stainless steel is widely used in building facades, bridges, and infrastructure projects, with strong demand for the corrosion-resistant material, especially in coastal areas.

2. Appliances & Automotive: Turkey is a European center for appliance manufacturing, and the use of stainless steel in products such as refrigerators and dishwashers continues to increase.

3. Energy & Chemicals: Rising demand for specialty stainless steels (e.g. duplex) for oil pipelines and chemical equipment.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the positive market outlook, the Turkish stainless steel industry is under pressure from rising energy costs and exchange rate fluctuations. In addition, the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) may affect export competitiveness. Experts advise companies to address the challenges by improving recycling rates (Turkey's scrap utilization rate has reached 80%) and developing environmentally friendly products.

Looking ahead, with the Turkish government's industrialization strategy and the deepening of regional trade cooperation, the stainless steel market is expected to maintain steady growth, but local companies need to further optimize costs and technology to cope with international competition.