SteelOrbis talked to Dr. Erdem Şireli, secretary general of Turkey’s Stainless Steel Industry Association (PASSAD), about 2025 review and 2026 expectations.
Dr. Erdem Şireli, secretary general of Turkey’s Stainless Steel Industry Association (PASSAD), outlined his view of the prospects in 2026 for the sector, which has reached a size of approximately $5 billion in Turkey, and the strategic priorities for protecting domestic production. Emphasizing the critical role of stainless steel in industry, Şireli stated that state protection is of critical importance for the sustainability of new investments and employment.
The stainless steel sector, whose competitiveness has weakened due to increasingly dumped imports in recent years, expects regulations to strengthen domestic industry to be implemented without delay in 2026. The sector, one of the strongest branches of industry, has been fighting for its existence against dumped products from abroad for a long time. Used in many sectors, from space technologies to the defense industry, from kitchenware and equipment to automotive, from health to energy, and from food to materials used in everyday life, stainless steel maintains its place among the strategic inputs of the economy. Representatives of the stainless steel sector, which is struggling with unfair competition caused by increasing import pressure and price-cutting practices, emphasize that strategic protection measures, including antidumping duties, will revitalize the sector.
Protective measures are of vital importance
Stating that products originating from the Far East and Asia entering the domestic market at low prices disrupt market balances and make it impossible for local producers to manufacture, Dr. Şireli, secretary general of the Stainless Steel Industry Association (PASSAD), said,
“Protection measures implemented by our government to protect stainless steel, one of the important pillars of the national economy, from unfair competition are of vital importance. Import regime decisions that protect domestic production, antidumping applications and regulations that encourage domestic production are the fundamental keys that will pave the way for new investments. An environment where domestic producers are protected directly paves the way for new investments.” He also noted that strategic protection will shape the future of the sector.
Şireli went on to state, “Reducing dependence on foreign sources for a critical raw material like stainless steel, which is the cornerstone of many sectors, is only possible with strong domestic production. This strength is only achievable by ensuring a fair, competitive environment. We have a goal to guide our sector to make our country a regional power in this field. We firmly believe that our government will continue to stand by industrialists who produce and provide employment. As PASSAD, we will continue to work for the future of our country with our local producers, service centers and all stakeholders in our sector.”
PASSAD prepares Turkey's first stainless steel sector report
Stating that 2025 was a productive year for the sector, the PASSAD secretary general said, "We carried out extremely important work within the scope of the protocol we signed with Istanbul Technical University. We brought together nearly 500 academics, professionals and students representing all stakeholders in the sector at the First National Stainless Steel Summit, described as the largest gathering of the Turkish stainless steel sector. The First National Stainless Steel Summit Final Report, which we wrote with ITU's esteemed academics, will be a first for our sector. As PASSAD, we are very pleased to have been instrumental in such a valuable project that will shape the future of our sector. We will be signing many more important projects with ITU in the coming period. Some of the important initiatives we are focusing on include the scholarship program we have prepared and the stainless steel course we will implement for graduate students. 2025 was a productive year for our sector. In 2026, we will continue to be the unifying force of the sector and produce projects that make a difference."