According to the Chemical Sector Research Report (2012) by the Çukurova Development Agency, the value-added rate of chemical production (21.7%) is higher than that of the general manufacturing industry (19.7%). The report states that the chemical industry is among Turkey’s strategic sectors.

In Osmaniye, there are 33 companies operating in petrochemical, coal, rubber, and plastic industries, 22 of which are located in the Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ). In fact, in terms of the number of facilities, the chemical sector is among the top five sectors in Osmaniye. The increasing number of plastic recycling facilities is a contributing factor, and interviews indicate that this sector has strong development potential in the region.

The chemical industry includes a wide range of sub-sectors (soap, detergents, construction chemicals, metal preservatives, cosmetics, etc.) and many of these products can be manufactured in workshop settings, making them suitable for İŞGEM. Some of these sub-sectors also serve as support industries for the iron-steel sector. For these reasons, the chemical industry (focusing on relevant sub-sectors) is considered a priority sector for both Osmaniye and İŞGEM.

Moreover, the sector’s diverse and completely different sub-branches, the limited number of small enterprises in Osmaniye, and the aim to both enhance an existing sector and offer new opportunities for local entrepreneurs have led to plans for a comprehensive value chain analysis of the chemical industry.