The metal industry in Türkiye is one of the fundamental pillars of the country’s economy and manufacturing sector. Covering a wide range of activities—from iron and steel to aluminum, copper, zinc, casting, and metal products—the sector supplies raw materials and intermediate goods to numerous industries, including automotive, machinery, construction, energy, defense, white goods, shipbuilding, infrastructure, and electronics.
Türkiye has a particularly strong industrial infrastructure in iron and steel production. In 2025, Türkiye’s crude steel production increased by 3.3% to 38.1 million tons, allowing the country to maintain its position as the world’s seventh-largest crude steel producer. Domestic consumption of finished steel products reached a historic high of 39.3 million tons during the same year.
The metal industry is not limited to steel. The production and processing of aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, nickel, and various alloys also represent important economic activities. Casting, rolling, extrusion, metal forming, welding, coating, CNC machining, and precision metal manufacturing are also important components of the industry.
The Importance of the Metal Industry to the Turkish Economy
The metal industry has a strategic position in Türkiye’s industrialization process. Metal products are both exported directly and transformed into intermediate products used by other industries.
In 2025, Türkiye exported approximately 15.1 million tons of steel products, with an export value of around $10.2 billion. With a total sector export volume of approximately $16.5 billion, steel remained one of Türkiye’s important export industries.
The importance of the metal industry can particularly be seen in:
Automotive manufacturing
Machinery production
Construction
Infrastructure investments
Energy facilities
Defense industry
Shipbuilding and yacht manufacturing
White goods
Electrical and electronics
Railway systems
Agricultural machinery
Mining equipment
Furniture and metal accessories
For this reason, developments in the metal industry have a direct impact on the overall competitiveness of Türkiye’s manufacturing sector.
The Iron and Steel Industry in Türkiye
Iron and steel production represents the largest segment of Türkiye’s metal industry.
Türkiye has numerous steel facilities using electric arc furnaces, induction furnaces, and basic oxygen furnaces. According to the Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association, the country has 27 electric arc furnace plants, 11 induction furnace plants, and 3 basic oxygen furnace plants.
In 2025:
Crude steel production: 38.1 million tons
Finished steel consumption: 39.3 million tons
Steel product exports: 15.1 million tons
Steel export value: $10.2 billion
Steel product imports: 18.9 million tons
Steel import value: $13.1 billion
Türkiye’s steel production includes a significant volume of long products, construction steel, wire rod, sections, and flat steel products.
The Outlook for the Steel Industry in 2026
The sector has shown a significant recovery in production during 2026.
During January–July 2026, Türkiye’s crude steel production increased by 7.9% year-on-year to 23.2 million tons.
During the same period, domestic consumption of finished products increased by 4.7% to 23.3 million tons, while steel product exports rose by 2.4% to 9 million tons, with an export value of approximately $6.1 billion.
These developments indicate that Türkiye’s metal and steel industry started 2026 with strong production performance.
However, carbon regulations in the European Union and increasing international trade restrictions remain important challenges for the sector.
Major Sub-Sectors of the Metal Industry
Türkiye’s metal industry has a very broad production chain.
- Iron and Steel
Iron and steel represent the largest segment of the industry.
Major products include:
Construction steel
Steel sections
Wire rod
Coils
Plates
Sheets
Steel rolls
Stainless steel
Alloy steel
Pipes
Structural steel products
These products are widely used in construction, automotive, machinery, and energy industries.
- Aluminum Industry
Aluminum is becoming increasingly important in Türkiye because of its low weight, corrosion resistance, and ease of forming.
Major applications include:
Automotive
Aviation
Construction
Window and door systems
Electrical equipment
Packaging
White goods
Solar energy
Machinery
Defense industry
According to MAPEG data, Türkiye produced approximately 1.14 million tons of run-of-mine aluminum in 2025.
Aluminum extrusion and profile manufacturing are also important metal-processing activities in Türkiye.
- Copper Industry
Copper is a strategically important metal, particularly for the electrical and electronics industries.
Major applications include:
Electrical cables
Electric motors
Transformers
Electronic equipment
Energy systems
Telecommunications
Renewable energy systems
Automotive
Türkiye has developed activities covering copper mining, ore processing, and the production of copper products.
According to MAPEG data, run-of-mine copper production reached approximately 5.79 million tons in 2025.
- Zinc and Lead
Zinc and lead represent other important areas of Türkiye’s metal industry.
Zinc is widely used in:
Galvanizing
Steel coating
Automotive
Construction
Machinery
Metal products
Lead is used in batteries, specialized alloys, energy applications, and various industrial processes.
- Metal Casting Industry
The metal casting industry is an important intermediate manufacturing sector in Türkiye.
Casting is used to produce:
Engine blocks
Machine bodies
Pump components
Valve bodies
Automotive parts
Agricultural machinery components
Railway components
Heavy industrial equipment
The casting industry is particularly closely connected with the automotive and machinery sectors.
- Metal Forming
Metal forming covers the transformation of metal sheets and profiles into finished or semi-finished products using various manufacturing techniques.
Major methods include:
Pressing
Bending
Cutting
Rolling
Forging
Extrusion
Deep drawing
Laser cutting
CNC machining
The development of Türkiye’s automotive, white goods, machinery, and defense industries has increased demand for precision metal-forming capabilities.
- Metal Products Industry
The metal products industry covers a very broad range of manufacturing activities.
Products include:
Metal furniture
Shelving systems
Metal doors
Locks
Hinges
Household products
Kitchen equipment
Industrial equipment
Metal packaging
Storage systems
Small and medium-sized enterprises play an important role in this segment.
- Automotive and the Metal Industry
The automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of metal products in Türkiye.
From vehicle bodies and engines to suspension systems and brake components, automobiles require a wide variety of metal materials and components.
The metal industry supplies the automotive sector with:
Sheet steel
Steel products
Aluminum
Cast components
Forged components
Engine parts
Wheels
Chassis components
Gears
Suspension components
As electric vehicles become more widespread, the importance of aluminum, copper, and lightweight alloys is expected to increase further.
- Machinery and Metal Manufacturing
Machinery manufacturing is one of the most important customers of Türkiye’s metal industry.
Machinery production requires:
Steel bodies
Gears
Shafts
Bearing housings
Hydraulic components
Pump components
Cutting tools
Precision-machined parts
Consequently, the development of the metal industry also strengthens the competitiveness of Türkiye’s machinery manufacturing sector.
- Construction and Metal
Construction is one of Türkiye’s largest consumers of metal products.
Major products include:
Reinforcing steel
Steel sections
Sheets
Pipes
Structural steel
Aluminum joinery
Metal facade systems
Steel roofing systems
Railings and stair systems
Türkiye’s large infrastructure, housing, airport, bridge, and energy projects are important sources of demand for metal products.
- Metal Industry in Defense and Aerospace
The development of the defense industry has increased the need for advanced metal production technologies in Türkiye.
In addition to conventional steels, defense and aerospace industries use:
Titanium
Aluminum alloys
Nickel-based alloys
Special steels
Metal-composite hybrids
Materials with high strength-to-weight ratios are particularly important for defense and aerospace applications.
- Metal in Shipbuilding and Yacht Manufacturing
Türkiye’s shipyards, particularly those around Istanbul, Tuzla, Yalova, and İzmir, are closely connected to the metal industry.
Shipbuilding uses:
Marine-grade steel sheets
Steel profiles
Pipes
Aluminum
Stainless steel
Metal fasteners
Türkiye’s development in yacht and specialized boat manufacturing is also creating new opportunities for high-quality metal fabrication.
Major Metal Industry Centers in Türkiye
The metal industry is distributed across many regions of Türkiye. However, several cities stand out because of their production capacity and logistics infrastructure.
- Istanbul
Istanbul is an important center for:
Metal trading
Metal products
Machinery
Casting
Steel processing
Aluminum
Metal exports
Its position as Türkiye’s largest commercial and logistics center provides significant advantages for the sector.
- Kocaeli
Kocaeli is one of Türkiye’s most important heavy-industry regions.
It has strong capabilities in:
Iron and steel
Automotive
Metal processing
Machinery
Chemicals
Ports and logistics
3. Bursa
Bursa is an important metal industry center, particularly because of its automotive and machinery sectors.
Metal processing, casting, tooling, automotive components, and machinery manufacturing are highly developed.
- İzmir
İzmir, particularly the Aliağa area, is one of Türkiye’s major heavy-industry and metal centers.
The region includes activities related to:
Iron and steel
Metal processing
Port services
Shipbuilding
Energy
Petrochemicals
5. İskenderun and Hatay
The area around İskenderun Bay is one of Türkiye’s major iron and steel production regions.
Its proximity to ports provides important advantages for the transportation of raw materials and finished products.
- Karabük
Karabük is one of Türkiye’s traditional iron and steel centers.
The city has played an important role in Turkish metallurgy and steel production for many decades.
- Gaziantep
Gaziantep is a major production center for metal products, machinery, metal processing, and industrial equipment.
The city’s export-oriented industrial structure also supports the development of the metal industry.
- Konya
Konya is an important center for:
Agricultural machinery
Automotive components
Casting
Machine parts
Metal processing
The Role of Organized Industrial Zones
Organized Industrial Zones (OIZs) play an important role in the development of Türkiye’s metal industry.
The infrastructure required by metal companies—including:
Electricity
Natural gas
Water
Logistics
Waste management
Storage
Transportation
can be provided more efficiently within OIZs.
In addition, automotive, machinery, plastics, chemicals, and metal companies located in the same industrial regions can create integrated supply chains.
The Importance of SMEs
A significant portion of Türkiye’s metal industry consists of small and medium-sized enterprises.
SMEs are particularly specialized in:
CNC machining
Welding
Metal cutting
Tool and mold manufacturing
Casting
Pressing
Sheet-metal processing
Custom component manufacturing
Metal coating
These companies play an important role in the supply chains of major automotive, machinery, defense, and white-goods manufacturers.
Metal Industry Exports
Türkiye’s geographical position provides a major advantage for the export potential of the metal industry.
European, Middle Eastern, North African, Balkan, and Central Asian markets can be reached relatively quickly.
In 2025, steel product exports reached 15.1 million tons, with an export value of approximately $10.2 billion.
European countries are particularly important destinations for Türkiye’s metal exports. Italy, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, and Morocco are among the prominent markets.
The export of processed and value-added metal products is becoming increasingly important alongside the export of raw materials and semi-finished products.
Technology and Industry 4.0 in the Metal Industry
Metal manufacturing is increasingly dependent on automation and digital technologies.
Major technologies include:
CNC machines
Robotic welding
Laser cutting
Automated press systems
AI-supported quality control
Digital manufacturing
IoT sensors
Production monitoring systems
3D metal printers
Digital twin technologies
These technologies can increase production speed while helping reduce error rates and improve product quality.
3D Metal Printing Technology
Additive manufacturing is expected to become one of the most important technologies in the future of the metal industry.
3D metal printers can produce:
Complex components
Lightweight parts
Aerospace components
Defense industry components
Prototypes
Specialized machine parts
This technology offers significant advantages, particularly for low-volume and high-value manufacturing.
Green Transformation and the Metal Industry
One of the most important issues shaping the future of the metal industry is the green transition.
Steel manufacturing is an energy-intensive activity, making the reduction of carbon emissions a major priority.
The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) directly affects Türkiye’s metal and steel exports to the EU.
In 2026, sustainability performance has become increasingly important through factors such as accurate emissions measurement, product traceability, recyclability, and energy efficiency.
Therefore, the Turkish metal industry is expected to invest increasingly in:
Renewable energy
Energy efficiency
Increased scrap utilization
Electric production technologies
Carbon-emission reduction
Recycling
Low-carbon steel
Metal Recycling
Metal recycling is becoming increasingly important in Türkiye.
Metals such as iron, steel, aluminum, and copper can be recycled multiple times.
The advantages of metal recycling include:
Lower energy consumption
Reduced demand for raw materials
Reduced waste
Lower carbon emissions
Lower production costs
Protection of natural resources
Scrap metal is already an important raw material source, particularly for electric arc furnace-based steel production.
Strengths of Türkiye’s Metal Industry
The main advantages of Türkiye’s metal industry include:
Strong production infrastructure
Türkiye has decades of experience in steel production, metallurgy, and metal processing.
Strategic geographical position
Proximity to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa provides a major competitive advantage.
Broad industrial base
Strong automotive, machinery, construction, energy, and defense industries support demand for metal products.
Developed supply chain
A large number of SMEs and subcontractors work alongside metal manufacturers.
Export experience
Turkish metal and steel companies have extensive experience supplying international markets.
Challenges Facing Türkiye’s Metal Industry
Despite its significant advantages, the sector faces several structural challenges.
Energy Costs
Metal and steel production consumes large amounts of energy. Changes in energy prices can directly affect production costs.
Raw Material Dependence
Türkiye remains dependent on foreign sources for certain metal raw materials, particularly high-quality scrap, alloying elements, and specific intermediate products.
Global Competition
China, Russia, India, and other major producers create strong competition in global metal markets.
Financing Costs
Because metal manufacturing requires substantial capital investment, interest rates can influence companies’ investment decisions.
Carbon Costs
EU carbon regulations require exporters to make their production processes more environmentally sustainable.
The Future of Türkiye’s Metal Industry
The future of Türkiye’s metal industry will increasingly depend not only on conventional metal production but also on high-value-added manufacturing.
Areas with significant growth potential include:
Metals for electric vehicles
Aluminum alloys
Copper products
Special steels
Stainless steel
Aerospace metals
Defense industry metals
Energy equipment
Solar energy systems
Wind turbine components
Railway systems
Precision casting
3D metal printing
Recycled metal products
Low-carbon steel
The growth of electric vehicles, battery systems, renewable energy, and the defense industry could significantly increase demand for copper, aluminum, and advanced alloys.
Investment Opportunities in the Metal Industry
Türkiye’s metal industry offers a wide range of opportunities for investors.
Rather than focusing solely on basic metal production, investments in value-added metal processing may offer particularly strong potential.
Potential investment areas include:
Precision CNC machining
Special alloy production
Aerospace components
Automotive components
Aluminum extrusion
Copper products
Special steels
Metal recycling
Robotic welding
Laser metal processing
3D metal printing
Defense industry components
The metal industry in Türkiye is one of the fundamental sectors of the country’s economic and industrial infrastructure. Iron and steel production, together with aluminum, copper, zinc, casting, metal products, and precision metal processing, supports a broad production chain extending from automotive and machinery to construction and defense.
Türkiye’s crude steel production reached 38.1 million tons in 2025, while production during the first seven months of 2026 reached 23.2 million tons. These figures demonstrate that the country continues to maintain a significant metal and steel production capacity.
However, the industry’s future competitiveness will depend not simply on producing more metal, but on producing higher-quality, more technologically advanced, more cost-efficient, and lower-carbon metal products.
Türkiye’s strong industrial infrastructure, large domestic market, developed automotive and machinery sectors, ports, export experience, and proximity to Europe provide significant advantages for the metal industry.
In the coming years, green steel, recycling, energy efficiency, special alloys, precision manufacturing, automation, and high-value-added metal products are likely to become some of the industry’s most important growth areas.
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