A new chapter has begun in the chemical industry, Türkiye’s second-largest export sector, with the change in leadership. The elections for the Presidency of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB) were held on April 14, 2026, at the Haliç Congress Center. At the general assembly, attended by leading representatives of the sector, İKMİB and board members, exporters, and non-governmental organizations, Vefa İbrahim Aracı, Chairman of GEBKİM Specialized Organized Industrial Zone for Chemistry in Kocaeli Gebze V and Chairman of the Koruma Group of Companies, who ran as the sole candidate, was elected Chairman of İKMİB.
In the chemical industry, which plays a locomotive role in Türkiye’s exports and continues to hold its position as the country’s second-largest exporting sector, the new era began with a strong structure that combines experience with the energy of a renewed team. The İKMİB 2026 Ordinary Electoral General Assembly, held on April 14 at the Haliç Congress Center, took place with strong participation from sector representatives and members. All attending members cast their votes, and no invalid or incomplete ballots were recorded. Bringing together institutional memory and field experience from the past with the dynamism and innovative perspective of the new period, this structure introduces a management approach that knows the sector closely, has strong export reflexes, and is effective in decision-making processes. This integrated approach is expected to provide stronger coordination under the İKMİB umbrella, enhance the sector’s competitiveness, and accelerate sustainable export targets.
“This Unity Will Shape Our Future”
In his speech before the election, Vefa İbrahim Aracı once again emphasized unity and common sense, stating that the strength of the chemical industry is nourished more by solidarity than by competition. He said: “We approached this process not as a race of competition, but as a responsibility toward the common future of our sector. What we mean by saying ‘It Is Time for Unity in Chemistry’ is an understanding that embraces every segment of the sector, prioritizes common benefit, and expands a culture of working together. The picture that has emerged today shows that our sector, with its different structures and experiences, is capable of meeting on common ground. In a period when global trade balances are shifting and supply chains are being reshaped, maintaining our production strength and sustaining our exports with determination is a critical responsibility for all of us. With this understanding, a strong team, and common wisdom, we will carry our sector further.”
Aracı stated that they have built a strong working harmony over many years with names who have previously served on the Board of Directors, and that thanks to this, they are setting out with a structure that has a solid command of the sector’s dynamics and functioning. Emphasizing that they have formed a team with strong export experience, the ability to read the field well, and the willingness to take responsibility, Aracı said they believe this strong harmony will make important contributions to İKMİB’s work in the new period.
A New Era Covering 16 Sub-Sectors
Aracı stated that they will act with a management approach that encompasses all 16 sub-sectors operating under the İKMİB umbrella, and announced that in the new period export strategies will be addressed on a sub-sector basis and data-driven decision mechanisms will be strengthened.
Emphasizing that an export model focused especially on high value-added products will be among the priority targets, Aracı also pointed out that increasing domestic production capacity in base chemicals is a critical issue for the sector.
Stating that the steps taken during the term of former İKMİB Chairman Adil Pelister have carried the sector to its strong position today, Aracı stressed that the new period will be built on this foundation.
Adil Pelister Highlights “Unity, Value, and Added Value”
Presenting the activity report, former İKMİB Chairman Adil Pelister emphasized that the greatest strength of the chemical industry at this point is its culture of acting together. He stated that during his term they not only increased export figures, but also built a lasting “spirit of unity” and understanding of common sense within the sector, saying: “We stayed strong in difficult times through solidarity, and in good times we shared success together. At the point we have reached today, our sector stands out not only with production, but also with its strength in knowledge, technology, and innovation.”
Preparing to hand over his position after 8 years in office, Pelister shared his best wishes for the new term and thanked all the teammates he had worked with. Alongside the names with whom he served under the same board during his tenure, he also conveyed his wishes for success to Vefa İbrahim Aracı and his team, who are taking over in the new period.
Aracı Elected Chairman by Majority Vote
Vefa İbrahim Aracı, who entered the İKMİB chairmanship election as the sole candidate and was elected with broad consensus across the sector, is now preparing to carry his industrialist vision into the new period. Aracı stated that they will bring the success achieved at GEBKİM, Türkiye’s first specialized organized industrial zone for chemistry, under the İKMİB umbrella. He said that the goal is to expand this model across the sector, with its focus on clustering, integrated production, and sustainability, and added: “We are setting out with a team that brings together experience and energy within the same structure. This journey is not a process that will be carried only on the shoulders of this team. The will that will move the chemical sector forward will be shaped by the shared contribution of all our members, together with the management.”
Inviting all stakeholders of the sector to become an active part of the process, Aracı called for expanding common wisdom and making the culture of acting together permanent.
The New Members of the İKMİB Board of Directors Have Been Announced
At the general assembly chaired by Mehmet Şafak Türkay, the new İKMİB Board of Directors for the upcoming period was also formed from strong names representing different areas of the sector. The new management under the chairmanship of Vefa İbrahim Aracı includes: Adil Pelister (Beta Kimya), Ersin Kayalar (Kayalar Kimya), Burak Önder (Qlux Ideas), Uğur Adıyaman (Erkul Kozmetik), Elchin İbadov (SOCAR Turkey), Selçuk Gülsüm (Tisan Mühendislik), Murat Öztürk (Seluz Kimya), Sedat Çelik (AHD İç ve Dış Ticaret), Ayşe Burcu Kaleağası (Kale Care Chemicals), and Eralp Erdem (Turkuaz Polyester).
This new era that has begun at İKMİB stands out not merely as a change in management, but as a transformation process that aims to make the culture of acting together permanent across the sector. Strengthening communication within the sector, building a more systematic structure for information sharing, and implementing policies that will support sustainable export growth are among the priority goals of the new term.
