10th PAGEV Plastic Packaging Congress: KOSGEB earmarks 250 billion lira for large manufacturers

The 10th PAGEV International Plastic Packaging Congress, organised by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (İTO) and PAGEV under the theme "Competition in a New Era: From Finance to Transformation, From Production to Global Markets", reviewed the state of the sector and available support programmes.

Sector figures shared in the speeches:

• Türkiye is Europe's second- and the world's sixth-largest plastics producer by capacity; output exceeds 10 million tonnes and direct exports exceed 7 billion dollars.
• Last year the sector had about 11,000 companies and 350,000 employees.
• In 2025 plastic packaging production reached 4.02 million tonnes worth 14.8 billion dollars, with exports of 1.5 million tonnes worth 4.3 billion dollars.

PAGEV chairman Yavuz Eroğlu said the sector is going through a difficult period because of cyclical problems and the risks new plastics legislation may bring, and recalled that the Belgium-based PAGEV International has been set up for more effective representation in the EU.

KOSGEB president Ahmet Serdar İbrahimcioğlu said large companies can now also benefit from KOSGEB support: the 2026 support budget for large manufacturing companies is 250 billion lira; applications are open and no preconditions apply. Support programmes have been updated for topics such as artificial intelligence and the green transition.

What does this mean for a molder?

For medium and large molders planning machine replacement, automation (robots, conveyors, central material handling) or energy-efficiency investments, KOSGEB programmes are now worth a look. Check which items are supported and at what rates in KOSGEB's current programme announcements before applying.