Eurasia in Focus: Steel, Economy and the Strategic Role of Turkey

Turkey as a Bridge Between Europe and Asia

At the center of this development is the Turkish steel industry. It has developed extremely dynamically in recent years and now ranks among the world's leading exporters of steel products. In 2023, Turkey produced approximately 38 million tons of crude steel, placing it in eighth position among the world's largest steel producers, slightly ahead of Germany with 36 million tons. Particularly remarkable is that Turkey ranks among the three largest construction steel producers worldwide after China and India, with a market share of about 7% in the global construction steel market.

In 2019, exports amounted to 19.7 million tons of steel, placing Turkey seventh among the world's largest steel exporters.

The Turkish steel industry is characterized by several features:

• High proportion of electric steel mills: Over 70% of Turkish steel production takes place in electric arc furnaces, enabling flexible and relatively environmentally friendly production.
• Export orientation: About 55% of produced steel products are exported, mainly to the EU, the Middle East, and North Africa.
• Specialization in construction steel: Around 65% of Turkish steel production is construction steel, including reinforcing steel, beams, and profile steel.
• Growing quality steel production: In the last five years, Turkey has increasingly invested in the production of quality and specialty steels to achieve higher value creation.

The Turkish steel industry focuses on the following steel types:

1. Long products: With a production of about 24 million tons (2023), Turkey is one of the leading manufacturers of long products, especially:
   • Reinforcing steel for construction (approx. 14 million tons)
   • Profile steel and beams (approx. 5 million tons)
   • Wire rod (approx. 5 million tons)
2. Flat products: The production of flat steel now amounts to about 14 million tons annually, including:
   • Hot-rolled sheet and strip
   • Cold-rolled sheet
   • Galvanized sheet
3. Special steels: A growing segment with about 2 million tons of annual production, including:
   • Alloyed steels for the automotive industry
   • Tool steels
   • Stainless steels for the energy sector

Wire and Tube Production in Eurasia: A Growing Market

The Turkish wire industry produces about 3.5 million tons of various wire products annually with an export share of about 60% (approx. 2.8 billion USD in 2023). The Turkish tube industry produces about 5 million tons of steel tubes annually with an export share of about 70% (approx. 4.5 billion USD in 2023).

Development Trends in the Catchment Area of wire Eurasia and Tube Eurasia

The following overarching trends can be observed in the region:

1. Capacity expansion: Growing investments in new production facilities for wire and tube products. In Turkey alone, over 1.5 billion USD has been invested in the last three years.
2. Technological modernization: Implementation of state-of-the-art production technologies focusing on automation, precision, and energy efficiency.
3. Specialization in premium products: Increasing orientation toward higher-value products such as alloyed steels, stainless steel tubes, and specialty wires.
4. Diversification of sales markets: Strengthened expansion of trade relationships with new partners in Asia, Africa, and America.
5. Sustainability efforts: Increased investments in more environmentally friendly production processes.

Drivers of market growth in wire and tube production in Eurasia:

1. Growth of the construction industry: Increasing urbanization in many countries leads to higher demand for steel products. In Turkey, the construction sector has grown by an average of 6.5% per year over the last five years.
2. Automotive industry: The trend toward lighter and more fuel-efficient vehicles increases the demand for special steel products.
3. Energy sector: The progressive development of energy infrastructures requires the use of tubes for transport and distribution. Planned pipeline projects in the region include more than 5,000 kilometers of new lines by 2030.
4. General increase in steel demand: Since the mid-1990s, global demand for steel has more than doubled.

The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine have also led to a reassessment of traditional supply chains, and Turkey is gaining importance as a stable production location.

Trade Fairs: wire Eurasia and Tube Eurasia

An important event for determining the state of economic development are the trade fairs "wire Eurasia" and "Tube Eurasia," which will take place from April 9 to 12, 2025, in Istanbul. These fairs have developed into the most important industry meetings for the wire and tube industry in the Eurasian region.

Highlights of the 2025 fairs:

• Over 400 exhibitors from 35 countries
• Expert presentations on market trends and technological innovations
• Networking events with industry experts
• Special exhibition areas for Industry 4.0
• New special show "Green Steel Solutions"