R&D

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

Commercial Solutions

Circular Economy

Smart Production and Operation Applications

Laboratory and Pilot Tests

Global Partnerships

The use of fossil fuels is estimated to peak in 2030. Therefore, Tüpraş committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and created a strategic plan revolving around four main areas: sustainable refining, renewable fuels, zero-carbon electricity, and clean hydrogen. Tüpraş R&D Center develops solutions for improving the profitability and competitiveness of our current assets and refinery operations while also implementing competence and infrastructure development works through technology development/transfer efforts that will bolster our strategic investment plan. Thus, it plays an active role in readying Tüpraş for the future.

R&D operations aimed at adding value to existing Tüpraş assets and operations are carried out in three areas: operational, digital, and commercial solutions. Additionally, R&D efforts supporting Tüpraş’s strategic plan focus on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), clean hydrogen, renewable fuel, zero-carbon electricity/energy efficiency, circular economy, and innovative process technologies.

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)

In line with evolving global expectations and needs, and with a strong focus on Tüpraş’s Carbon Neutrality target, we are actively researching and implementing innovative CCUS technologies tailored to refinery operations. These efforts are driven by our commitment to remain competitive with industry leaders through the effective management of time and resources and the application of advanced technologies.

Below are our CCUS projects supported by European Union R&D programs and funding schemes from TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye).

COZMOS

(Efficient CO₂ Conversion Over Multisite ZeoliteMetal Nanocatalysts to Fuels and OlefinS)

MOF4AIR

(Metal Organic Frameworks for Carbon Dioxide Adsorption Processes in Power Production and Energy Intensive IndustRies)

https://www.mof4air.eu/

Energy Efficiency

Investments in zero-carbon electricity are critical to achieving carbon neutrality. Tüpraş R&D Center works on projects aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of our systems, striving to conserve resources and reduce emissions.

Below are our projects focused on Zero-Carbon Electricity and Energy Efficiency, subsidized by European Union R&D support programs.

Indus3Es

(Industrial Energy and Environment Efficiency)

BAMBOO

(Boosting New Approaches for Flexibility Management By Optimizing Process Off-gas and Waste Use)

https://bambooproject.eu/

FLEXINDUSTRIES

(Digitally Enabled FLEXible Industries For Reliable Energy Grids Under High Penetration of Variable Renewable Energy Sources)

https://flexindustries.eu/

Clean Hydrogen

Clean hydrogen plays a central role in Tüpraş’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Our R&D Center focuses on field applications across the entire value chain within the scope of the circular economy—ranging from diverse hydrogen production technologies to the industrial recovery and purification of hydrogen, as well as the development of hydrogen-based sustainable (electrochemical) alternative fuels. In this context, efforts are underway to shape the strategic direction and framework for R&D projects and investments, while also spearheading the development of a robust clean hydrogen ecosystem.

Sustainable Refining

Our refining strategy focuses on sustainability and is one of the four main pillars of Tüpraş’s Strategic Plan. This includes researchers developing material and process focused solutions through laboratory infrastructure for testing and evaluating the potential use of alternative crude oils as raw materials, and pilot facilities for assessing our hydroprocessing and coker processes. The development and validation of advanced materials are also within our scope.

Below is a project we are involved in under the Sustainable Refining focus area, supported by European Union R&D programs:

ACHIEF

Innovative High-performance Alloys and Coatings For Highly Efficient Intensive Energy Processes

https://www.achief.eu/

Renewable Fuels

In line with our sustainability goals under the “biofuels” focus area of Tüpraş’s Strategic Transformation Plan, we are creating value for both our country and our company through projects aimed at developing new technologies for the eco-friendly production of air and marine fuels. These efforts also promote the integration of alternative fuels, such as non-food renewable resources and waste, as part of the green transformation of our refineries.

Below are our projects in the Renewable Fuels focus area, supported by European Union R&D programs and TÜBİTAK funding schemes:

EBIO - (Biofuels Through Electrochemical Transformation of Intermediate Bio-Liquids)

https://www.ebio-h2020.eu/

MICRO-JET - (Microalgae-based Sustainable Biofuel Project)

Commercial Solutions

Tüpraş aims to commercialize products, materials, and digital solutions developed through its R&D efforts for refineries, universities, and various industrial stakeholders. In line with its sustainable refining strategy, Tüpraş conducts development efforts to expand its existing product portfolio and align its refinery operations with the company’s sustainable refining strategy. These projects aim to create scalable, market-ready products and deliver innovative, tailored, and locally produced solutions that offer performance and cost advantages across various industries. Customer, resource, and legislative demands are continuously analyzed to identify future product opportunities, determine strategic steps, and develop the necessary technologies for successful product launch and scale-up.

Circular Economy

Tüpraş carries out R&D activities to support a circular economy model based on the principles of minimizing resource consumption and waste generation while maximizing overall benefit—throughout the entire process from raw material use to waste output. By investing in new areas that support its sustainability vision, Tüpraş plans to manage its existing assets with a focus on sustainable, profitable growth, aiming to lead the transformation of the energy sector.

Tüpraş, in line with its zero waste strategy, aims to identify unused end and by-products and reintegrate them into the refinery and surrounding ecosystem through innovative technologies and a holistic approach. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies are conducted to improve the life cycle of products and production processes through a circular economy approach and to identify the environmental impacts that occur throughout their life cycle.

Field applications of innovative technologies help minimize the consumption of natural resources and support key targets such as zero raw water use, zero discharge, material recovery, and industrial symbiosis.

Below are our projects in the field of Circular Economy, supported by European Union R&D funding programs:

INTEGROIL

(Demonstration of a Decision Support System for a Novel Integrated Solution Aimed at Water Reuse in the Oil & Gas Industry)

https://integroil.eu/

AquaSPICE

(Advancing Sustainability of Process Industries Through Digital and Circular Water Use Innovations)

https://aquaspice.eu/

CORALIS

(Creation of New Value Chain Relations Through Novel Approaches Facilitating Long-term Industrial Symbiosis)

https://www.coralis-h2020.eu/

EPC-EqTech

(An Innovative Turnkey Solution to Process Spent Caustic Created in the Oil&Gas Industry at Low-cost and That Meets Wastewater Regulations)

Smart Production and Operation Applications

Tüpraş’s digitalization strategy is supported by simulation, process and resource optimization, digital twins, predictive maintenance, quality estimation product groups, and robotics and sensor technologies. We monitor our operational processes to identify areas for improvement and use digital technologies to develop precise, integrated solutions as part of our smart production and operations efforts.

Below are our projects focused on Smart Production and Operation Applications, supported by European Union R&D programs and TÜBİTAK funding schemes

Hydroptics-

(Photonics Sensing Platform for Process Optimisation in the Oil Industry)

https://hydroptics.eu/

FUDIPO

(Future Directions of Production Planning and Optimized Energy and Process Industries)

FACTLOG

(Energy-Aware Factory Analytics for Process Industries)

https://www.factlog.eu/

safeAST

(Continuous Structural Condition Tank Integrity Monitoring of Above Ground Storage Tanks)

https://cordis.europa.eu

iperm

(Guided Wave Monitoring Tool)

http://www.iperm.eu/

Innovative Process Technologies

We carry out projects to leverage innovative and sustainable process technologies for the profitable development of strategic chemicals and materials within an R&D framework.

Below are our projects focused on innovative process technologies, subsidized by European Union R&D support programs.

MACBETH

(Membranes and Catalysts Beyond Economic and Technological Hurdles)

https://www.macbeth-project.eu/

BIZeolCat

(Bifunctional Zeolite based Catalysts for Sustainable Hydrocarbon Transformation)

https://www.bizeolcat.eu/

Laboratory and Pilot Tests

Tüpraş R&D labs strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date data to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the company’s refineries, adopt technologies of the future, and adapt to change.

The labs specialize in analyzing light, medium, and heavy end products and by-products across all boiling ranges. The expert lab team conducts laboratory work and pilot studies to test new technologies in line with Tüpraş’s strategic goals. The gathered data supports the field implementation of solutions, assists refineries in crude oil sourcing and processing operations, and adds value to the operational solutions a refinery may require.

Our laboratories are equipped to carry out a wide range of chemical reactions using more than 300 equipment and 18 lab-scale reaction/distillation systems and pilot-scale units. These capabilities allow us to both simulate large-scale refinery processes and scale up lab-scale research. To ensure the continuous availability and optimal performance of our advanced and versatile equipment portfolio, we conduct regular maintenance and install the necessary setups for R&D projects.

Our operations are guided by the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. We also focus on the continuous development of our team’s competencies, aiming to deliver the highest level of employee experience.

Global Partnerships

Water Europe

Continuing its long-standing investments in water efficiency and wastewater recycling, Tüpraş expanded its global presence in the water sector by joining Water Europe and aligning with shared goals across Europe and the world.

Water Europe aims to foster partnerships within the global water ecosystem, improve performance and competitiveness, and contribute to solving global water challenges. Tüpraş has been the first Turkish industrial company to join the initiative.

Established by the European Commission in 2004 as the European Technology Platform for Water, Water Europe became a member-based, multi-stakeholder platform in 2007. With over 275 members across 27 countries, Water Europe carries out projects aimed at advancing the global water ecosystem. It drives water-related initiatives, particularly in Europe, and forms consortia within this sector.

Hydrogen Europe

With plans to lead the energy industry in the future, Tüpraş has ramped up its efforts toward green hydrogen production, a key priority in its Strategic Transformation Plan. By joining Hydrogen Europe, the leading stakeholder in Europe’s hydrogen market, Tüpraş expanded its communication network and became part of a hydrogen ecosystem guided by the same principles across Europe and globally.

Hydrogen Europe was established to steer green hydrogen initiatives across Europe and foster consortia in this field, making it one of the foremost industrial platforms in the sector. Hydrogen Europe, a prominent organization encompassing over 350 industrial companies (including global leaders), 103 research centers and universities, and 30 national associations spanning more than 20 countries, drives the advancement and real-world application of hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

SPRINT Robotics

Tüpraş is a member of SPRINT Robotics, a non-profit organization that promotes the development, accessibility, and deployment of robotic technologies for inspection and maintenance in capital-intensive facilities such as refineries on a global scale. Through this membership, Tüpraş has the opportunity to initiate joint industry projects focused on R&D and market innovation, closely track advancements in robotic technologies, develop a strategic roadmap, be part of an exhaustive network of relevant companies and institutions, and access an extensive online knowledge base and collaboration platform.

A.SPIRE

A.SPIRE is an international non-profit association operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. It serves as a platform that brings together the private sector representing the process industries and was established as a component of the European Union’s R&D funding programs.

A.SPIRE brings together over 180 industrial and research organizations. The association supports the transition of the European process industry toward a climate-neutral, circular, and globally competitive model. In addition, it contributes to the development of the technological and innovative solutions required to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal.

Tüpraş is the first Turkish company to join the A.SPIRE platform. Aligning with platforms that engage private industry on behalf of the European Commission, which steers EU policies and projects, is also crucial for our country.