RUSAL defines supply reliability as the new competitive edge for Turkish Industry in the CBAM era

As CBAM enters full implementation, Turkish manufacturers are facing a tougher export environment where reliable supply, clear data and commercial continuity are becoming as important as price.

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The new phase of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is changing the way Turkish manufacturers evaluate aluminium procurement. As of January 1, 2026, CBAM has moved from a reporting-focused transition period into full implementation, adding new pressure on exporters already managing oversupply, aggressive pricing and weaker demand in parts of the market.

For Turkish manufacturers, the challenge is no longer limited to carbon compliance alone. Companies with strong exposure to the European market are now navigating a more complex equation shaped by price pressure, uncertainty in carbon-cost calculations, tighter documentation requirements and reduced flexibility in quotation and contract discussions.

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In this environment, RUSAL, one of the world’s leading aluminium producers and one of the most established suppliers to the Turkish market, points out that supplier reliability is emerging as a strategic factor, especially for export-oriented sectors such as automotive, packaging, extrusion and other aluminium-intensive industries.

Türkiye remains one of the most important aluminium markets in the wider region. The country’s primary aluminium market is estimated at around 1.5 million tonnes, while local production remains far below total consumption. Against this backdrop, RUSAL has built a long-standing position in the country over nearly 25 years and today serves Türkiye as one of its largest markets outside Russia and China. The company estimates that it accounts for around 20% of Türkiye’s primary aluminium market, while the Turkish market represents approximately 7–10% of RUSAL’s global sales.

According to RUSAL, this scale matters more in 2026 than ever before. As CBAM adds a new layer of complexity to export manufacturing, Turkish buyers increasingly need not only competitive pricing, but also predictable supply, industrial-scale continuity and commercially usable supplier information.

“The pressure points in Türkiye’s aluminium market are no longer one-dimensional,” said Yiğit Kasapoğlu, Representative Director of RUSAL in Türkiye. “Companies are dealing with a combination of oversupply, intense price competition, softer demand in some segments and growing carbon-related uncertainty. For many Turkish manufacturers, especially those highly exposed to EU exports, the key issue is no longer only the unit price of aluminium. It is also whether the supplier can offer continuity, clear data and confidence throughout quotation and contract negotiations. In today’s market, reliability is becoming as important as price — and we believe RUSAL’s strongest value in Türkiye is being the most reliable aluminium supply source in a period of increasing uncertainty.”

The company notes that Turkish customers are also facing a changing competitive landscape in Europe. Industry representatives in Türkiye have recently pointed to uncertainty around CBAM calculation methods, implementation details and potential cost pass-through mechanisms. At the same time, some European buyers are increasingly leaning toward intra-EU sourcing where possible, creating additional pressure on non-EU suppliers and their downstream customers.

RUSAL argues that, under these conditions, Turkish companies that secure stable, transparent and scalable supply relationships will be better positioned to protect commercial flexibility than those relying only on short-term price opportunities.

The company says its proposition to Türkiye is therefore not limited to product supply. With large-scale industrial capacity, vertically integrated operations and a long-standing market presence, RUSAL positions itself as a long-term industrial partner for Turkish manufacturers adapting to a more demanding CBAM-era environment. That reliability is also supported by direct market presence. Every year, more than 250 customers and business partners come together at RUSAL’s regional seminar in Türkiye to exchange updates, discuss new alloys and market developments, and address evolving customer needs. The company also supports Turkish customers through a 24/7 local customer service platform, reinforcing day-to-day continuity in a demanding market environment.

As the aluminium market adjusts to a new regulatory and commercial reality, RUSAL believes the winners will not be defined by price alone, but by the ability to combine cost discipline, supply continuity and operational trust.

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Note: This article has been issued by RUSAL and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.