The Steel Industry Set to Strengthen Through Global Events in 2025
Forex - The year 2025 will be filled with significant activities to enhance the iron and steel sector's impact and competitiveness in international markets. Yalçın Ertan, Deputy Coordinator of Aegean Exporters' Associations and President of Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association, stated, “In 2025, numerous activities we will undertake, from sustainability-focused projects to trade delegations, will create an important foundation for our companies to strengthen in the global market. We will have a strong presence at the Made in Steel Fair in Milan, Italy, from May 6-8, 2025. The world is making tremendous strides in renewable energy. It is our priority that our country benefits from this. Therefore, we will establish significant collaborations at the Wind Europe Summit, which will bring together turbine technology and wind energy equipment manufacturers in Copenhagen, Denmark, from April 8-10, 2025.”
President Ertan further stated, “Recognizing the importance of renewable energy for our iron and non-ferrous metals sector, we plan to repeat our visit to Intersolar Europe, one of the world’s largest solar energy and equipment fairs held in Munich, Germany, this year in 2025, to support our participating companies and closely monitor developments in the sector.”
Green Transformation Project in the Iron and Steel Sector
Ertan mentioned that they aim to transform the sector in line with carbon neutrality goals through the Green Transformation and International Marketing URGE Project, which will commence in 2025: “In our project, which is aligned with the EU Green Deal and clean production targets, we aim to enhance the management processes and efficiency of our companies, enabling them to adapt to new market dynamics. With the Green Academy Program we plan to launch in 2025, we aim to raise awareness in the sector by providing training on sustainability and green production for the personnel of our member companies.”
Preparation for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Yalçın Ertan stated, “As part of the ‘Inter-Cluster Cooperation for Carbon Management’ project, which our association is conducting in partnership with the Italian clean energy cluster COSVIG and under the coordination of ENSIA, we will carry out a working and inspection visit to Hamburg, Germany, from November 18-23, 2024, with the participation of Izmir Development Agency, IZEN Energy Inc., and Eurosolar Turkey. The visit aims to enhance the capacities of exporting companies concerning the Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (BCAM), which will enter into force on January 1, 2026, thereby supporting the compliance of the Aegean Region's iron and steel sector and maintaining its competitive structure.”
Opening Up to the Middle East Market
Ertan expressed that Kuwait, which will be the third country after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to make the most investments in infrastructure and superstructure projects in the Gulf Region, presents great opportunities for our companies operating in the iron and non-ferrous metals sector. He also indicated that a Sectoral Trade Delegation to the Kuwaiti market is planned for May to ensure that our members can derive maximum benefit from this opportunity.