Baştuğ Metallurgy suggested that the use of domestic steel should be a must in Turkey.

After the earthquake disaster, Baştuğ Metallurgy Foreign Trade Manager Emrah Uğursal made evaluations on the steel sector of the earthquake. Their assessment focused on the demand for steel that would be needed during the reconstruction of the earthquake-damaged areas.

Stating that the earthquakes experienced in Turkey on February 6 caused great damage in the region and stopped steel production, Uğursal said, “Although the damage in the factories is much less than in the settlements, it took time to start production again due to the personnel shortage and the interruption of steel production in the first place.” . Uğursal made the following assessments regarding the decrease in production in the steel industry due to the earthquake: “As can be seen in the February steel production statistics published by the Steel Producers Association, Turkey was able to produce 2.1 million tons, which is the lowest monthly figure of the last 13 years. The energy prices that the steel industry was in before the earthquake and the high costs stemming from the valuable TL had already had a negative impact on production and a positive impact on imports. The Turkish steel industry, which produced 2.6 million tons in January under already difficult conditions, experienced a production loss of 500 thousand tons in February compared to January, mainly due to earthquake-induced regional stops.”

Capacity utilization in steel production is at 60 percent

Considering that one third of the steel capacity in Turkey is located in the earthquake-affected region, he said the following about meeting the expected demand: “The Turkish iron and steel industry has high capacity and flexibility, especially long products used as construction materials. Currently, due to both international and local market conditions, the capacity utilization rate of our industry in steel production has been around 60 percent in recent months. We also pass on especially long products. In a period when our exports have decreased, our sector can easily provide quality, qualified and affordable materials that will be needed in the restructuring of the region, both in terms of capacity and technical infrastructure.”

Pointing out that the use of domestic steel will contribute greatly to the country's economy in terms of both added value and employment, Uğursal said, “Just as the USA, one of the most developed countries of the world, stipulates or supports the use of domestic steel in domestic investments, a similar application without sacrificing competitiveness will be suitable for Turkey. " said.