TPT March 2007

View point : The Turkish industry for metal and plastic pipe and fittings

Compiled by Mr Hasan Köse, IGEME (Export Promotion Centre), Turkey

technology advancement. It is believed that Turkey's pipe and fittings sector is now on a par with its European Union competitors in terms of technology and quality. Metal and plastic pipe and fittings are used in various industries such as the automotive, construction, bicycle, furniture, hydraulics and sanitary installations. This usage increases and diversifies with the development of the Turkish industry. For example, the rapid growth of the Turkish automotive industry has increased the demand for tube and pipe used in this industry. Public purchases constitute 20 per cent of the sector sales. In particular, public departments purchase steel pipes for building natural gas, oil and sanitary pipelines. There are 50 to 60 companies involved in plastic pipe and fittings, 35 firms specialised in iron and steel pipe and fittings, and 4

firms dedicated to the copper pipe and fittings industry.

Introduction The Turkish industry for metal and plastic pipe and fittings has been very active in recent years, with high demand for a wide product range from steel, copper, aluminium, iron and plastics. Natural gas investment projects, the acceleration of infrastructure projects, growth in the building industry and developments in the manufacturing industry, have all boosted growth in the industry. According to the results of the main companies operating in the metal and plastic pipe and fittings market, investments have picked up speed, especially since 2004. These investments have resulted in a noticeable increase in production capacities. The main investments are in product development, upgrading of machinery, the establishment of production lines and

Turkey has a strong metal processing industry…

The metal processing industry is one of the most important and developed industries in Turkey. The progress of the metal processing industry has taken place in parallel with the growth in industrialization and the increasing investment in Turkey. The metal resources of Turkey largely support this huge industry.

Turkey’s exports of metal and plastic pipes and fittings (value: US$)

HS Code

Product name

2003

2004

2005

3917.21 Tubes, pipe and hollow profiles in polymers of ethylene

13,878,177

11,882,617

13,831,710

3917.22 Tubes, pipe and hollow profiles in polymers of propylene

19,505,583

37,692,201

60,657,016

3917.23 Tubes, pipe and hollow profiles in polymers of vinyl chloride

6,501,464

23,190,070

15,744,310

3917.29 Tubes, pipe and hollow profiles in other plastics

29,317,980

30,286,164

41,575,251

3917.31 Flexible tube, pipe and hose, with a minimum burst pressure of 27.6mpa Other tube, pipe and hollow profiles, non-reinforced or combined with other materials (and without fittings) 3917.33 Other tube and pipe, non-reinforced or combined with other materials (with fittings) 3917.32

6,505,574

14,797,043

33,012,191

4,654,675

5,263,568

6,630,934

237,394

727,227

2,674,041

3917.39 Other plastic tube, pipe and hollow profiles

1,345,637

3,204,445

4,458,649

3917.40 Plastic fittings

32,504,199

51,340,520

70,443,183

7303.00 Tube, pipe and hollow profiles in cast iron

4,612,248

6,982,519 2,209,838 2,244,795 2,342,623

13,201,482

7304.10 Linepipe for oil or gas lines 7304.31 Iron & steel cold rolled pipe

852,854 626,773 555,934 200,719 249,880 104,754 362,484 40,985 42,685 93,574

965,005

4,703,213 4,966,067

7304.39 Other iron & steel cold rolled pipe (circular cross section) 7304.41 Stainless steel tube, pipe and hollow profiles (cold rolled) 7304.49 Other stainless steel tube and pipe (circular cross section) 7304.51 Alloy steel tube, pipe and hollow profiles (cold rolled) 7305.11 Iron & steel long arc weld pipe and tube used for oil or gas lines 7305.12 Iron & steel long weld pipe and tube used for oil or gas lines 7305.19 Other iron & steel welded pipe and tube used for oil or gas lines 7304.59 Other alloy steel tube, pipe hollow profiles

205,131 301,052 286,128 297,176

293,953 228,312

1,904,917

136,626 407,221

9,423,797

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1,344,414 28,646,615

13,139,669

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M arch /A pril 2007