The ceramic industry has exported its products to more than 50 countries by creating and developing designs which appeal the tastes and requirements of these markets. This fact necessiated the producers to have a very wide product spectrum. Turkish ceramic industry is also keen on environmental issues. Increasingly tighter environmental regulations and public consciousness require the Turkish ceramic industry to undertake research projects and investments and take positive actions to reduce pollution. One of the main advantages of the Turkish ceramic industry is Turkey's having rich and good quality raw material reserves.
Turkey is especially rich in good quality clay and feldspar reserves.
Comparatively low wages with respect to the European competitors also is an advantage of the sector. The targets and expectations of the ceramic sector with respect to production and exports is high and in recent years the Turkish producers have begun to invest in other countries such as Russia, England and Ireland. Also new companies are being established together with the leading European Groups for further developing production and exports. The total trade volume of the ceramic sector in 1998 was around 400 million USD and the value of the total ceramic goods exported amounted to 270 million USD. 3. In Turkey, there are 22 medium and large scale companies producing ceramic tiles.