Tüpraş Develops New Technologies for a Circular Economy

Tüpraş continues to develop innovative R&D technologies in compliance with its Strategic Transformation Plan and 2050 Carbon Neutral target. Deemed eligible for funding from Horizon Europe with its IS2H4C project, Tüpraş will continue its activities under the project’s umbrella. The vision is to reduce carbon emissions and create value for a circular economy by integrating carbon capture and green hydrogen technologies. While enhancing its sustainable refining efforts through carbon capture technologies, Tüpraş will collaborate with Arçelik in the white goods industry to contribute to the production of low-carbon refrigerators using green hydrogen technologies.

Tüpraş is accelerating its transformation with EU-funded renewable energy projects in the fields of sustainable refining and green hydrogen, two of the business segments it has prioritized in compliance with its Strategic Transformation Plan and 2050 Carbon Neutral target. Encompassing the Tüpraş R&D Center, which has been approved for funding under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Program, the IS2H4C* project aims to facilitate the transition to a sustainable circular economy and foster a shift from industrial cooperation to circular economy centers.

Tüpraş and Arçelik Join Forces for the Production of Low-Carbon Refrigerators

With demonstrations scheduled at the Izmir Refinery, the project aims to capture carbon dioxide from refinery flue gas and utilize green hydrogen infrastructure to produce e-methanol, subsequently leading to polyurethane production. Arçelik will then use the resulting low-carbon polyurethane in the production of refrigerators.

As part of the project, Tüpraş will take on the role of testing innovative technologies at the refinery site, and lead the activities at the hub in Türkiye. While the Fraunhofer Institute from Germany will assist with the development of the technologies to be implemented at the Türkiye hub, Arçelik will contribute to the research activities as the end user.

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Program, the project will include establishing Hubs for Circularity in four countries, including Türkiye. In the project involving 35 stakeholders, Tüpraş will receive an incentive of €1.8 million at a funding rate of 70 percent.

“For the first time in Türkiye, an industrial enterprise will combine carbon capture and green hydrogen technologies for circular production”

Commenting on the subject, Murat Şimşek, Assistant General Manager at Tüpraş, said: “We are developing new carbon capture technologies and carrying out on-site practices in compliance with our Strategic Transformation Plan and 2050 Carbon Neutral target. We are conducting demonstrations of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies at the Tüpraş R&D Center to reduce emissions. We are also proceeding with our green hydrogen activities at full speed. Our R&D Center continues its efforts to pioneer a clean hydrogen ecosystem and market. These efforts include the IS2H4C project funded by Horizon Europe.

”Şimşek also added: “Additionally, our project contributes to Arçelik’s production processes by offering decarbonization solutions developed with a circular economy approach. For the first time in Türkiye, an industrial enterprise will combine carbon capture and green hydrogen technologies, reducing carbon emissions and generating value for a circular economy at the same time. I believe that this project will provide significant technological gains that will support our transformation strategy.

”Nihat Bayız, Chief Production and Technology Officer at Arçelik, made the following remarks: “In line with our vision of ‘Respecting the World, Respected Worldwide,’ we create value for our country and planet with our R&D competencies and innovative technologies. We aim to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. We are pleased to honor this commitment by participating in the IS2H4C Project. With this project, we aim to use the carbon dioxide captured from refinery flue gas to produce non-isocyanate polyurethane, which will be utilized in the production of refrigerators at our R&D Center in Manisa. We play a key role in transforming outputs into finished products at the IS2H4C Hub for Circularity in Türkiye. I believe that our project will set an example for other industries in the areas of environmental sustainability and green transformation.

”Thanks to its international reputation and strong collaborations, the Tüpraş R&D Center continues its involvement in EU-funded projects. With nine ongoing projects, 12 completed projects, and three newly commissioned projects, the center stands as one of the leading R&D centers in Türkiye. The center collaborates with leading organizations worldwide to develop technologies in its areas of expertise. Accordingly, the center makes significant contributions to Tüpraş in its strategic transformation journey and closely follows the most advanced technologies to achieve carbon neutrality.

*IS2H4C: Sustainable Circular Economy Transition: From Industrial Symbiosis to Hubs for Circularity