A new chapter has begun for Türkiye’s chemical industry with the election of a new chairman. The General Assembly and presidential election of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB) were held on 14 April 2026 at the Haliç Congress Center. Attended by leading representatives of the chemical industry, İKMİB members and board representatives, exporters, and non-governmental organizations, the General Assembly elected Vefa İbrahim Aracı, Chairman of the Board of the Gebze V Chemical Specialized Organized Industrial Zone (GEBKİM OSB) and Koruma Companies Group, as the new Chairman of İKMİB.
A new era has begun for Türkiye’s chemical industry—the country’s second-largest exporting sector—with a leadership team that combines extensive industry experience with a renewed vision. The 2026 Ordinary General Assembly of the Istanbul Chemicals and Chemical Products Exporters’ Association (İKMİB), held on 14 April at the Haliç Congress Center, brought together a large number of industry representatives and association members. All attending members cast their votes, with no invalid or incomplete ballots recorded. Combining institutional knowledge with a dynamic and innovative perspective, the new board represents a management approach focused on the sector’s needs, export-driven growth, and effective decision-making. The new structure is expected to strengthen coordination within İKMİB, enhance the competitiveness of the Turkish chemical industry, and support sustainable export growth.
“This Unity Will Shape Our Future”
In his pre-election speech, Vefa İbrahim Aracı emphasized that the strength of the chemical industry comes from collaboration rather than competition.
“We approached this process as a shared responsibility for the future of our industry. ‘Time for Unity in Chemicals’ reflects our commitment to an inclusive approach that promotes collaboration and the common good. Today’s outcome shows that our industry can unite around a shared vision.
As global trade and supply chains continue to evolve, maintaining our production strength and export performance is more important than ever. With a strong team and a shared vision, we will continue working together to move our industry forward.”
