80s and 90s
The pressure vessel sector must be kept under control within the framework of certain standards in terms of energy efficiency, environmental pollution, safety of life and property. The sector, which developed as small and inadequate workshops in an environment where standards and supervision were not applied, grew unhealthily. Negative production conditions and lack of supervision in the sector continued until the establishment of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Industrialists' Association (KBSB) in 1985. As a result of KBSB's efforts, standards on boilers and burners were revised within the scope of TSE. In the 1990s, these standards were made compulsory. However, KBSB's efforts on quality and safety were insufficient as inspections were not carried out properly. With the distribution of natural gas in Ankara and Istanbul in the 1990s, the need for quality and safe boilers and burners in heating systems increased. The construction sector, in particular, turned to imported goods, finding domestic production insufficient in terms of safety and quality. Therefore, many European companies entered the Turkish market in the 1990s. Entering the Customs Union before the regulations demanded by the KBSB were enacted and the supervision and surveillance authority was sufficiently established had a negative impact on the sector. Experts characterize the 1990s, when poor quality imported goods were installed in buildings with wrong and objectionable practices, as lost years for both the country's economy and the sector. Within the scope of the harmonization process with the European Union, CE directives on boilers were put into effect with the initiative of KBSB and the relevant law was published in 2002. The implementation started in 2004 and the sector was brought under control in terms of quality, efficiency, emissions and safety. Starting from these years, the number of companies in the sector decreased rapidly. As of 2012, the number of producers dropped to around 60. However, export figures have started to show record increases every year.