"Cement is not a commercial issue, it is an essential part of our life safety"

The problems of the sector, its importance in earthquake resistant buildings and sustainability targets were discussed at the 7th "Anatolian Meetings" organized by the Turkish Cement Industrialists' Association (TURKCİMENTO) in Elazığ.

Speaking at the panel part of the meeting, Fatih Yücelik, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TURKCİMENTO, wished that Elazığ, which was affected by earthquakes, would quickly heal its wounds and said that earthquakes can be prevented from turning into a disaster. Yücelik said, "After the great earthquake in 2020, we do not lack our prayers for the wounds to be healed in the fastest way in our distinguished city, which was severely affected again by the great earthquake disaster on February 6, 2023. After the earthquake disaster, it was understood that cement is no longer a commercial issue and the belief that it is an integral part of life safety has settled in minds again. I hope we will not experience such a disaster again."

Noting that Türkiye is the leader of Europe in cement production and the fifth largest in the world, Yücelik also stated that it is the second largest exporter in the world in the total of cement and clinker. Yücelik said, "In our sector, which has a cement equivalent capacity of 119 million tons, we produce in a total of 77 factories, 56 integrated and 21 grinding factories spread across Turkey. TURKÇİMENTO members represent 94% of this figure."

Prof. Dr. Yasemin Açık, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seza Cement and Board Member of TURKCİMENTO, said that the cement sector makes a great contribution to Türkiye both in production and exports. Açık said, "As we all know, sustainable development of the country is only possible with local and regional development. The cement sector, which is spread all over the country, located in all regions, at the same time accommodating people of all socioeconomic levels, employing people of all socioeconomic levels, contributing to the reduction of our foreign trade deficit with exports as well as domestic market sales, also makes great contributions to ensuring sustainable development."