Accepted as one of the most important experts in the field of nonwoven, Hüseyin Cevahiroğlu made important evaluations within the framework of the nonwoven file which we prepared as Textile World Magazine. Cevahiroğlu both gave information about the activities of the sector and highlighted the expectations of Turkish nonwoven manufacturers. Giving information about the production process in Turkey, Cevahiroğlu stated that nonwoven production started with the product manufactured as shoulder lap at the beginning of 20th century in Turkey. Cevahiroğlu continued by saying: “Shoulder lap manufactured between 1920-1940 can be considered as the first step taken in our country in terms of nonwoven. After this process, economic developments both in Turkey and in the world made mechanisation compulsory. The process starting with mechanisation after 1945 continued when the first iron comber was used in 1950s. Professional production process started with the import of the first nonwoven line in 1968.”.
Classical Production Should be Abandoned
“The products manufactured until 1968 did not meet the definition of nonwoven completely but constituted a base for its present day” said Hüseyin Cevahiroğlu and added that the names pioneering the sector include Miras Kardeşler, Şişman Kardeşler, Avram Seferoğlu-Fethi Kutluçınar, İzzet Kuleli, Cavit Çiçek, Konfino-Tezman families. Stating that there was a slow growth in nonwoven in Turkey prior to 2000, Cevahiroğlu expressed that: “The number of manufacturers was 25 before in this period , it reached 40 in 2005, 70 in 2010 and 80 in 2012.”. Expressing that, as of 2012, almost 80 firms work with a capacity of about 500.000 tons, Cevahiroğlu continued by saying: “ Nonwoven production is increasing day by day in our country. However, our main problem is that we can not exceed the classical production line. Such Standard productions cause serious problems in terms of competition. The competition seen in the field of nonwoven in our country is not related to the production of quality products. Rather, it focuses on producing the cheaper one. This also affects the development of the sector negatively. Apart from these, difference of opinion experienced with EDANA undermines the global power of the sector. For instance, exclusion of fiber, lap and felts manufactured out of recyclable fibers from the category of nonwovens by EDANA is an important detail.”.
Stating that such approaches prevent Turkey from revealing its real potential in the global commerce arena, Cevahiroğlu stated that the actual conflict lies in the Customs Tariff Statistical Positions (GTİP). Reporting that nonwoven technology gathers under the number of 5603 GTİP in the whole world statistics, Cevahiroğlu continued by saying: “Here, in the sub-groups, there is only a distinction based on grammage under the numbers of 5603. 11-12-13-14 and 91-92-93-94. There is no detail in relation to the technology. What is more important is that GTİP numbers contradict in such products as lap-felt and they are mistaken for 5601 and 5602 GTİP numbers. In this case, import and export data can not be calculated properly.”.
Protection Measures Have Worked
Arguing that the nonwoven sector also needs a change as in the textile sector, Cevahiroğlu stated that: “A fast return should be made to technical textiles. Emphasizing that the nonwoven sector could not reach the desired level. We should make use of our high capacity. We certainly should spread our exports to broader areas. As of 2012 August, our foreign trade gave surplus value in the products under the category of 5603 GTİP for the first time with the influence of protection measures. In 2011, our foreign trade transactions gave a minus value amounting to 87 million dollars but I suppose that we will close 2012 in a positive way. Protective measures taken against low-quality nonwoven products of Far East also help us collect positive grades commercially.”.
A Trade Volume of 500 Million Dollars
Explaining that Turkish nonwoven manufacturers concentrated on felt production in 2000s, Cevahiroğlu stated that water jet technology with spunbond-meltblown technologies took the first two positions as of 2010. Reporting that firms should manufacture more products in these production areas, Cevahiroğlu added that: “Continuing investments also strengthen us in term of exports. Thus, firms should head towards export markets rather than domestic market.”. Making assessments about the import and export figures of Turkey, Cevahiroğlu explained as such: “Turkey has a trade volume of about 500 million dollars. Considering the domestic market, this figure reaches to around 1 billion dollar in total. When global market is examined, this figure is considerably low and we should work hard and carefully to increase it. First of all, nonwoven manufacturers should unite and form their general strategies on important issues.”.
Experts Should be Included in the Process
Emphasizing that firms should cooperate, Cevahiroğlu also argued that firms should be more careful about promotion. Pointing out to the fact that government authorities are not aware of the issue enough, Cevahiroğlu added that: “Promotion activities should intensify within the body of the ministries of science and technology, industry, trade and customs. Then, the national team should be established and preparations should be made for future. This group consisting of universities, academicians and students will take Turkish nonwoven sector to an advanced stage with correct fairs and strategies.”.
Stating that the interest of trained and knowledgeable young individuals in this issue should be increased, Cevahiroğlu continued by saying: “Beside to all these factors, the autonomous list called as List no.V should be followed closely. This list includes items for which the European Union allows for importing in exchange for zero customs duties as they are not manufactured in the Union sufficiently. While some products which are not explained and defined adequately in the GTİP numbers can be easily abused, both government authorities and the manufacturers should make a close follow-up to prevent this situation. Regional incentives of the state don’t affect firms which make production with a small number of workers as in the nonwoven sector. Instead of such incentives, the manufacturers who develop a product that can prevent importing, produce new technical textiles and make preparation for the smart textiles of the future should be encouraged and supported.”.
It is Meaningless to Fear From China in terms of Nonwoven
Telling that Turkish nonwoven manufacturers will achieve a strong position with such correct investments, Cevahiroğlu also made important comments on the rise of Chinese manufacturers in terms of nonwoven. Cevahiroğlu stated that: “Rise of China was a global scenario. It was a strategy that the Chinese people will become richer and this rich group will consume by improrting up-market products. On the other hand, as the use of disposable products will also increase as the income increases, the country can face with the problem of feeding itself within the country. Thus, they may use their own products within the country. This is why some European and American companies make production there. Chinese manufacturers follow a problematic policy in terms of quality. You should perform a close follow-up if you want to purchase quality products from this country. Otherwise, the production quality will reduce. As this bears a financial burden, it is meaningless to fear from China. Besides, as Chinese production is discussed excessively in terms of quality, our firms should make investments accordingly.”.
Family Companies Shape the Sector
Making evaluations about the company management perception in Turkey as well as the expectations of sector for 2013, Cevahiroğlu concluded his remarks by saying: “Only negative aspect of our sector is the lack of correct feasibility studies. Investments which are made upon unreliable information without seeking answers for such questions as “which product should be manufactured?” and “which market should be targetted?” yield wrong results. However, we have a big advantage. This advantage is that we have family companies. The companies are well-motivated for success. A negative aspect of family businesses is that they can not institutionalise when needed. Those which can overcome this institutionalisation process will become even bigger. In 2013, I expect that tonages, square meter will increase but prices will reduce. I believe that use of nonwoven products in different fields will increase. In particular, their use in health and medical products will increase even more with the growth of population aged 65 and above.”.
