The Turkish Composite Manufacturers Association aims to promote the use of composites in both existing and emerging markets, while ensuring that Turkish manufacturers remain competitive on the global stage. Kerem Paksoy, leader of TCMA’s Sustainability Committee, discusses the association’s activities and plans for the future.
What is the history of TCMA?
TCMA was established in 2005 by Cam Elyaf, a glass fibre manufacturer, to foster the use of composite materials in various aspects of life, promoting innovation, knowledge sharing and collaboration among key stakeholders.
At the beginning, only manufacturers of composite parts were accepted as members. After some time, the association started to accept members such as machine and raw materials manufacturers, traders/distributors, and consulting firms. TCMA currently has over 110 members. Our member profile consists of composite parts manufacturers (pipe, renewable/wind, defence, aviation, automotive, marine, construction, etc.), raw material producers (glass fibre, carbon fibre, technical woven textiles, kitting, polyester, vinyl ester and epoxy resins, etc.), traders/distributors and academic members.
Through the association, we strive to create an ecosystem where composite materials play a critical role in sustainable and advanced manufacturing solutions.
What is TCMA’s strategy?
TCMA acts as a bridge between governmental, local and international authorities, manufacturers and scientific communities. Our goal is to promote the use of composites in both existing and emerging markets while ensuring that Turkish manufacturers remain competitive on the global stage. With a diverse range of companies involved in the production and application of composite materials, we aim to stimulate innovation, standardisation and education across the entire value chain.
TCMA strategy meeting
Our main goals and strategies focus on the following areas:
- Promoting the adoption of composite materials across diverse industries.
- Networking between private, governmental and public key players and TCMA members.
- Networking between TCMA and other local NGOs such the Aerospace Cluster Association (ACA), Turkish Chemical Manufacturers Association and international NGOs such as EuCIA and ACMA to become an information distribution hub and to follow up projects such as Horizon Europe and Interreg NEXT MED.
- Establishing the Turkish composites database, including capabilities.
- Organising subcommittees, such as construction and sustainability, through which we work to establish standards with the government and international authorities.
- Assistance during the implementation of these standards in the composites industry to ensure competitiveness in international markets.
- Establishing industry sector specific groups, such as the GRP Pipe Manufacturer Sector Group.
- B2B contacts to support and develop members’ business activities.
- Large-scale activities and events with big impact on global markets, such as Meet4Composite show in Istanbul, to position Türkiye as the main composites country in its region.
Opening ceremony of Meet4Composite in October 2024
What are your key initiatives related to sustainability?
Sustainability is at the heart of our initiatives. We believe that composite materials have a unique role to play in addressing global environmental challenges. We are working to integrate the principles of the circular economy into the composite manufacturing process by focusing on recyclability and resource efficiency, and we are a part of national and international decision and law making, as well as standard creation. We also focus on education and creating awareness among stakeholders about new developments and regulations such as REACH, CBAM, KKDIK, etc.
The Meet4Composite Sustainability Seminar, where EuCIA’s president Roberto Frassine was invited to speak
For us sustainability is not only about circularity and recycling. For a sustainable industry, stakeholders also need continuous innovation and innovative projects. In close cooperation with ACA, we are following local and international projects. These projects focus on clean energy and energy storage technologies, as well as aviation and space.
How does being a member of EuCIA assist you in your work?
Membership in EuCIA provides TCMA with a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange on a European level. EuCIA’s network connects us with industry leaders, policymakers and innovators across the continent, giving us access to the latest trends, regulations, technological advancements and investments in composite materials. This partnership allows us to strengthen the voice of Turkish manufacturers in European forums and contribute to the creation of policies and standards that promote the use of composite materials in various sectors.
This membership also allows us to stay up-to-date with global developments in the composites industry. EuCIA’s strong relationships with American and Chinese composite associations help amplify our voice in these important markets.
Moreover, the data and studies provided by EuCIA, such as life cycle analysis (LCA) tools, help our members develop more sustainable and efficient products.
Where do you see TCMA in 10 years?
We envision becoming a key driver of growth in the global composites market, with a particular focus on Turkey and the region between Europe, Asia and Africa. We try to use local and international opportunities to develop and grow our members’ markets by leading in the development of high-performance, eco-friendly composite solutions, which will also contribute to a more sustainable circular future with reduced impact on the environment.
We also help our stakeholders to remain compliant with international regulations, so that they can maintain their competitiveness. We will accomplish this by expanding our influence by doubling our membership base, forging deeper ties with academic and research institutions, and becoming a central hub for information, knowledge and innovation in composite materials.
We will become the connection point for local and international stakeholders, by becoming a leading authority in the composites sector. The Meet4Composite trade show in Istanbul will be instrumental in achieving this goal. Cooperating with strong international partners will reinforce Meet4Composite’s role in the area. As TCMA, we will establish new forums in sectors such as construction, where key players will share their insights.
Meet4Composite will become a key meeting point for local and international stakeholders
We are creating synergy between our partners and initiating cooperations between them. A recent example of it is the signing of the letter of intent for cooperation between the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership (through ACA) and EuCIA during Meet4Composite.
Further information: www.kompozit.org.tr
Kerem Paksoy
Kerem Paksoy earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University in 2000, followed by a master’s degree in 2001. In 2009, he completed a PhD in Metallurgical and Materials Science Engineering at Yildiz Technical University. As a co-owner of Duratek Epoxy and Polyurethane Systems, he actively contributes to the composites industry by serving on the board of TCMA and leads its Sustainability Committee. He also represents TCMA as a board member of EuCIA.
