Fuat Tosyalı addressed the transformation of Türkiye’s industrial and steel sectors in a speech delivered during a ceremony held as part of the 2nd International İskenderun Iron and Steel Symposium, hosted by İskenderun Technical University (İSTE).
Tosyalı stated that his primary goal in business is not simply to grow, but to establish a production structure that creates high added value and can compete on a global scale. He noted that ambitious targets in the steel industry require substantial investment and risk, emphasizing that sustainable growth can only be achieved by turning ideas into investments and production capacity.
Tosyalı Holding’s crude steel production reaches 12.1 million tons
Tosyalı said that despite the pandemic, disruptions in global supply chains and the devastating earthquake in the region, the company established a facility in İskenderun Sarıseki with an annual flat steel production capacity of 4 million tons, backed by a USD2.5 billion investment.
He stated that Tosyalı Holding produced 12.1 million tons of crude steel in 2025, rising to 32nd place in the global steel producers ranking and becoming Türkiye’s largest and Europe’s second-largest steel producer.
Tosyalı said the company’s next target is to rank among the world’s top 20 steel producers, adding that they aim for their Türkiye-based production network to play an important role in trade links between Europe, Africa and Asia.
“Steel production is a key element of strategic independence”
Tosyalı also highlighted the strategic importance of the steel industry, stating that a strong industrial infrastructure is critical to economic independence.
He said steel production is a fundamental input for the development of strategic sectors such as automotive, defense, energy and infrastructure, and emphasized the need for Türkiye to increase its capacity to produce value-added steel products.
Tosyalı also stated that the green transformation should be viewed not only as an environmental necessity but also as a key factor in future global competitiveness. In this context, he highlighted hydrogen-based production technologies and renewable energy investments.
Focus on technology and artificial intelligence in industry
Tosyalı said increasing global industrial competition presents both significant opportunities and risks for Türkiye, noting that China’s growing production capacity has intensified competition in global markets.
Pointing to policies developed by Europe and the US to protect their strategic industries, Tosyalı said Türkiye should closely monitor global developments and continue to strengthen its production capabilities.
He stated that industrialists need to improve efficiency while taking into account challenges such as exchange rates, interest rates and energy costs, as well as competitive pressure from the Far East. He emphasized the need to place greater focus on technology, artificial intelligence, energy transformation and high value-added products.
Tosyalı said Tosyalı Holding has been investing in artificial intelligence and noted that digital transformation in industry will become one of the key factors determining companies’ competitiveness in the coming period.
Turkish steel industry integrated into global production networks
Veysel Yayan, Secretary General of the Turkish Steel Producers Association (TÇÜD), also spoke at the ceremony, stating that the Turkish steel industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years.
Highlighting Tosyalı Holding’s significant position in steel production in Türkiye and the region, Yayan said the group accounts for more than 14–15% of Türkiye’s total steel production.
Yayan stated that Turkish steelmakers have made investments in Europe, Africa and other regions and export to more than 180 countries, adding that the sector is strongly integrated into global production and trade chains.
At the end of the program, İSTE Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Duruel presented Fuat Tosyalı with an honorary doctorate certificate.
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