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If you are still relying solely on East Asia for your iron casting supply chain in late 2025, you are playing a risky game. Turkey has evolved from a mere “alternative” into an industrial powerhouse, effectively becoming the second largest casting hub in Europe after Germany.
With European energy costs squeezing traditional foundries in the West, procurement managers in automotive and heavy industry are flocking to Turkey. But here is the reality check: Quantity does not equal quality. While Turkey’s steel production has hit record highs, the iron casting sector is a mixed bag. For every high-tech facility, there are a dozen workshops that can’t meet ISO standards.
This article filters the market. We are ignoring the noise to present the “Shortlist”—the manufacturers that offer not just volume, but the technical excellence and financial stability required for the 2026 fiscal year.
The Turkish Foundry Sector: The 2026 Landscape
Let’s look at the hard data. The Turkish foundry sector isn’t about backyard workshops; it’s about highly integrated, automated facilities that feed directly into European OEM assembly lines. According to the Turkish Foundry Association (TÜDÖKSAD), the sector’s turnover hovers around €8.5 billion.
The “Curator” Insight for Buyers:
- Scale Matters: The market is top heavy. While there are over 1,000 foundries, roughly 32 major players control over 70% of the national capacity. If you need reliability, stay in this tier.
- Global Integration: The leaders on this list aren’t just local giants; they regularly appear in the ISO 500 rankings of Turkey’s largest industrial enterprises.
- Capacity vs. Availability: Top-tier foundries like Trakya and Döktaş often have capacities exceeding 80,000 tons/year. However, for 2026, “capacity” is theoreticalsecuring actual production slots requires early booking.
The 7 Iron Casting Giants You Need to Know
We have updated the data for the 2026 outlook. These companies represent the “safe harbor” for international procurement.
1. Döktaş Dökümcülük
The Heavyweight. Founded in 1973 and now a jewel of the Çelik Holding (Güriş Group), Döktaş is more than a factory; it is an institution listed on the Borsa Istanbul (BIST: DOKTA). If you are looking for the absolute market leader in terms of infrastructure, this is it.
- Why them? They ranked #175 in Turkey’s Top 500 Industrial Enterprises (2024 data). They are the go-to for automotive engine blocks and heavy commercial vehicle parts.
- Location: Bursa Orhangazi (The heart of the Turkish auto industry).
- Insider Tip: Döktaş has a dedicated trading subsidiary in the UK, making logistics and contracting significantly easier for British and Northern European buyers.
2. Trakya Döküm
The Capacity King. Part of the Soyak Holding, Trakya Döküm has aggressively expanded. With a production capacity hitting 100,000 tons per year entering 2025, they are one of the few players that can handle massive volume spikes without choking.
- The Angle: They don’t just cast; they position themselves as a “Co Designer.” If you need a partner to optimize your part geometry for casting efficiency before the metal is poured, Trakya is your best bet.
- Location: Lüleburgaz (Ideally situated just 140km west of Istanbul for easy trucking to Europe).
3. Ferro Döküm
The Safety Specialist. Owned by the Efesan Group, Ferro Döküm has carved out a critical niche. Approximately 80% of their production is Ductile Iron (Spheroidal Graphite Iron). This makes them indispensable for safety critical automotive parts where failure is not an option.
Just as Turkey’s shipyards have dominated specialized heavy industry, Ferro dominates the components that keep vehicles safe on the roadthink brake discs, crankshafts, and hydraulic housings.
4. Demisaş Döküm
The Quality Obsessive. Demisaş (BIST: DMSAS) holds a unique distinction: It is still the only European foundry to receive the “Award for Excellence in Consistent TPM Commitment” from the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM). In an industry where a single crack can recall a fleet, this certification is gold.
- Status: A stable fixture in the ISO 500 lists.
- Shareholder Structure: Significantly backed by Sarkuysan (44.44%), adding another layer of financial security.
5. Ay Döküm
The Finisher. While the giants listed above focus on raw tonnage, Ankara based Ay Döküm focuses on the finish line. They specialize in machining gray and ductile iron. This is the vendor to choose if you want to reduce your own manufacturing depththey deliver parts that are not just cast, but pre machined and ready for assembly.
6. Körfez Döküm
The Global Explorer. Körfez is the export champion of the specialized sector, shipping 90% of its production to over 80 countries. Unlike the automotive focused foundries, Körfez thrives in the “Heavy Duty” zone.
If you are sourcing wear resistant parts for cement plants, mining crushers, or energy infrastructure, this is your specialist. They operate three separate facilities covering 50,000 m², ensuring they can handle oversized components that would clog up a standard automotive foundry line.
7. Akis Döküm (Akışoğlu)
The Niche Innovator. What started as a small workshop in 1978 has exploded into a massive complex in Konya, with over 100,000 m² of open space. Operating under the “FRENBU” brand, they have cornered the market on brake systems for heavy commercial vehicles.
Hidden Gem: They are also a surprisingly strong player in elevator motors and machinesa high margin niche that requires specific metallurgical properties.
The Curator’s Verdict for 2026
The Turkish foundry landscape is robust, but it requires strategic navigation. Similar to how you would source Turkish ceramics or textiles, you must match the supplier to your specific need:
- For Automotive Volume: Lock in contracts with Döktaş or Demisaş immediately. Their slots fill up fast.
- For Mining/Energy: Körfez is the undisputed leader for wear resistance.
- For Co Development: If your design is still in flux, Trakya Döküm’s engineering team adds the most value.
Capacity is available, and the quality is certified to European standards. The decisive factor for 2026 will not be price, but access. Secure your production slots early.
