Overview of the Chemical Industry in Turkey and How to Buy Chemicals

Introduction to Turkey

• Turkey has a population of 85 million.
• Capital: Ankara
• Official Language: Turkish
• Total Area: 783,562 km2
• Currency: Turkish Lira

Economy of Turkey

Economic Overview:

• Turkey is a transcontinental country located in both Asia and Europe where 97% lies in Asia and 3% in Europe.
• Turkey has the 10th largest economy in the world.
• Turkey has a nominal GDP of USD 761.8 million.
• The largest industries: Industry and General Machinery, Pharmaceutical, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Oil, Electronics, Vehicle, Mining, Textiles, Cable, Iron, and Steel.

Economy Breakdown of Turkey:

• Service sector: 59%
• Industry: 27%
• Agriculture: 6%

Turkey's Main Import Partners:

• China: 2%
• Germany: 9%
• United Kingdom: 7%
• United States: 6%
• Iraq: 5%
• Italy: 5%

Turkey’’s Main Export Partners:

• China: 21%
• India: 11%
• Mexico: 15%
• Saudi Arabia: 10%
• United Arabs Emirates: 8%

Chemical use in Turkey

Given the economic growth of Turkey, it is an attractive country for the chemical trade. Turkey's chemical industry is diverse and includes water treatment, mining, fertilizer production, wood and metal processing, machinery, mining, and automobile manufacturing.

Turkey is the 14th largest importer and 27th largest exporter of chemicals in the world.

The main chemicals sector contributes to about 6% of the national GDP and about 13% of total foreign capital.

• Electrical Machinery and Cable Industry

This sector contributed to about 4% of the total export value at an estimated USD 6 billion in annual revenue in 2017. Turkey produces low, high, and medium cables, halogen-free cables, data cables, and a wide range of machinery.

The United States uses many imported chemicals because the demand for chemicals is higher than it can produce.

Camachem has supplied to electrical machinery and cable industries in Turkey, including chemicals such as Triisopropanolamine (TIPA) 85% and Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate 98%.

• Water Treatment Industry

With the advancement and expansion of technology, industrialization, urbanization, and agriculture, and with the further constant growth of Turkey's population, the demand for clean and fresh water will continue will increase. Therefore, there is a need for more water treatment chemicals. Turkey uses large amounts of water treatment chemicals, some of which are manufactured by the local industries, but most are imported.

Camachem has supplied water treatment chemicals to Turkey, including Polyaluminium Chloride and Ferric Chloride.

• Mining Industry

Turkey produces up to 27 tons of gold annually, making it the largest producer of gold globally. Other mineral deposits found in Turkey include coal, silver, mineral ore, marble, and natural stones.

In 2018, an estimated 1000 new mining engineers joined its robust labor pool from its well-educated labor force. In the same year, its mining exports hit the 3.8 billion mark.

Camachem has supplied mining chemicals such as Hydroxamic Acids, Activated Carbon, and Sodium Cyanide to Turkey.

Seaports and Trading Hubs of Turkey

Turkey is accessible by both land and sea. For international trading, the main seaports are:

• Port of Mersin
• Port of Asya
• Port of Ambarli
• Port of Trabzon
• Port of Samsun
• Port of Izmir
• Port of Iskenderun

For importing goods, Camachem uses the Port of Mersin, the largest port in terms of container volume.


• International trading seaports and trading hubs in Turkey, including the port of Mersin, which is the largest port in terms of container volumes. The port has 48 docks and can handle the loading and unloading of up to 60 ships at once.

• Port of Mersin is one of the largest and busiest ports in Turkey. It provides modern equipment and offers nonstop service.

• What Chemicals does Turkey Import?

  According to the latest trade data, Turkey imports USD 1.9 billion in inorganic chemicals and USD 1.6 billion in organic chemicals. They include chemicals such as:

  • Hydroxamic Acid
  • Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP)
  • Epoxy Resin
  • Caustic Soda Liquid Lye
  • Calcium Hypochlorite
  • Activated Carbon
  • Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC)
  • Citric Acid
  • Sodium Isobutyl Xanthate (SIBX)
  • Phosphoric Acid 85%
  • Ferric Chloride 96%

  What Regulations are there on Importing Chemicals to Turkey?

  The government of Turkey has developed several regulations to guide the importation of chemicals to Turkey. This ensures the safety and quality of products and proper handling, use, and management of different chemicals.

  • License and Permits:  Importers are required to have all the necessary licenses and permits. This means that the manufacturing company must be a registered company under the country's laws where the plant is situated.
  • Import Documents: It is a requirement by the customs authority of Turkey that all imports must be accompanied by a commercial invoice, bill of landing, and a certificate of origin.
  • Conformity Compliance: This is a requirement for all companies exporting chemicals to Turkey. This certificate must be from a certified body. It must contain the name of the manufacturer or its authorized dealer, the certified body, product specifications, and user manuals.

  Other important requirements include:

  • Health Certification
  • Risk-Based Trade Control Systems
  • Inspection and Examination Procedures
  • Valuation
  • Insurance Certificates
  • Identification Document
  • Cargo Release Order
  • Packing List
  • Certificate of Weight and Volume

Why Should Turkey Import Chemicals?

• High Cost of Chemicals - High costs of production and competition in the domestic market have made it more expensive to buy chemicals locally, creating an opportunity to source internationally. The high cost of production is mainly a result of the high cost of raw materials, labor, and taxation.
• Quality of Chemicals - Some locally manufactured chemicals do not meet the quality requirement. Domestic manufacturers also lack consistency, contributing to more importation of chemicals.
• Availability - The local industries have limited capacity and cannot meet the demand and timely delivery of chemicals. And with the increasing advancement in the different sectors of the economy, such as mining, agriculture, industrialization, technology, and urbanization, the demand for chemicals will continue to grow.
• Long-Term Agreements - For consistency in chemicals' manufacturing processes, there is a need for long-term agreements. The Local industries have not been able to adhere to these standards, which has paved the need for international agreements that last for up to 30 years.


Ferric Chloride 96 is one of the key chemicals that we export to Turkey

• Ferric cargo ready for shipment. This chemical is used in sewage treatment, industrial waste treatment, and water purification.

Camachem is among the companies that have been able to export chemicals to Turkey at very competitive prices.

Where Can I Buy Equipment for Turkey?

Camachem has been exporting chemicals to clients in Turkey. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us at +86-131-2037-9271 for a FREE quotation.

We also ship worldwide to other countries. Check out our experience here.

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