18th TÜRKÇİMENTO International Technical Seminar and Exhibition Kicks Off in Antalya

The International Technical Seminar and Exhibition—one of the most significant meeting points of the Turkish cement industry and traditionally organized each year by TÜRKÇİMENTO—has begun for the 18th time in Antalya on 20 November 2025, under the theme “Green Cement in the New Era: GræCement.” The long-standing and pioneering event, organized annually by TÜRKÇİMENTO, has once again commenced in Antalya.

This year, the event addressed key sectoral developments and future-shaping solutions ranging from green and digital transformation to innovation, next-generation cements, and sustainable production. The event opened with great success, welcoming over 600 participants and more than 150 companies. Speaking at the opening session—where topics such as “Green and Digital Transformation, Innovation, Sustainable Production, and Next-Generation Cements” were addressed—TÜRKÇİMENTO Chairman of the Board, Adil Sani Konukoğlu, said: “Today, we are opening a new chapter that will shape the future of our sector. The cement industry is not only a field of production; it is also a strategic force in Türkiye’s economic, environmental, and social transformation.” Konukoğlu emphasized that, despite global challenges, the Turkish cement industry continues to grow, produce, and remain one of the strongest players worldwide. He continued: “Green transformation is no longer a choice; it is our sector’s foundational strategy. The Turkish cement industry is not one that postpones sustainability goals, but one that turns them into reality. We are managing this transformation along three main pillars: green, digital, and human-centered transformation. This triple transformation is no longer just a target—it is the main gateway to our future. Each year, we use less fossil fuel and more recovered energy. Every step we take strengthens Türkiye’s sustainable future, from carbon reduction to circular economy initiatives.”

At the opening of the 18th Technical Seminar and Exhibition, speeches were also delivered by China Cement Association Secretary General Dr. Wang Yutao and Azerbaijan Cement Producers Association President Henning Sasse. China Cement Association Secretary General Dr. Wang Yutao stated: “We have been invited to this event for many years, but most of the time we were able only to send our greetings. Therefore, being here in person this year is a special pleasure for me. As the China Cement Association, we are part of our country’s carbon-neutral vision and are making significant efforts to reduce carbon emissions. We would be pleased to share with you the latest developments in our sector. I wish Turkish cement producers a bright future and continued success. We hope to work together and contribute more jointly to the transformation of our industry. We look forward to collaborating with you towards the zero-carbon goal.” Azerbaijan Cement Producers Association President Henning Sasse added: “Although Azerbaijan is a smaller country compared to Türkiye, we have a strong representation from our sector here today. We are discussing what can be done to achieve the net-zero target in Azerbaijan. Even though we are only a one-year-old organization, as ASiA (Azerbaijan Cement Producers Association), we have already announced our net-zero target. We have included government officials, decision-makers, and the construction sector in this process. In Azerbaijan, green energy has become a major topic. The government has taken significant steps regarding green electricity. As a sector, we aim to meet all our electricity needs from green energy sources. Despite being a country rich in oil, sustainability and energy transition are emerging as crucial areas for our future. We closely follow the work of Turkish cement producers on LC3 and cementitious materials, and we believe this may also present opportunities for Azerbaijan.”

The event also featured video messages from Cement Europe CEO Koen Coppenholle and Global Cement and Concrete Association CEO Thomas Guillot. Held since 1987, the event continues to support innovation in the cement sector by serving as a platform that brings together national and international suppliers across the industry.