İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim University and GÜBRETAŞ have moved to the commercialization stage in an advanced biotechnology project that will transform waste into high value-added organic fertilizer. The new facility, to be established with an investment of approximately 5 million dollars, will reduce foreign dependency in agriculture while bringing a new breath to sustainable production.
The R&D studies meticulously carried out by İZÜ and GÜBRETAŞ since 2021 within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 1505 program have borne fruit. In the project titled “Production of Organic Fertilizer Containing Amino Acids from Industrial By-Products,” the “Advanced Biotechnology-Based Domestic Product Development and Commercialization” agreement, representing the transition from the laboratory stage to industry, was signed. Through the project, waste from the vegetable oil and flour industries will be transformed into plant protein hydrolysates with high amino acid content through technological processes. With these biotechnological formulas developed entirely through domestic resources, the aims are to prevent environmental pollution through waste management, provide domestic and national alternatives instead of imported products, and expand sustainable solutions that increase efficiency in agriculture.
5 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT
GÜBRETAŞ is planning an investment of approximately 5 million dollars to implement the technology developed within the scope of the project. With the establishment of the production facility, which will feature advanced biotechnological infrastructure and be the first of its kind in Türkiye, the company’s high value-added product portfolio will expand, and domestic production capacity will gain significant momentum. The signing ceremony initiating the commercialization process was attended by İZÜ Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Küçük, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Erhan İçener and Prof. Dr. Nihat Erdoğmuş, as well as GÜBRETAŞ Vice Chairman of the Board Yasin Ayaz, Independent Board Member Hasan Dursun, and GÜBRETAŞ General Manager Aytaç Onkun. Academics, R&D center specialists, and senior executives from both institutions were also present at the ceremony.
A STRONG EXAMPLE OF THE JOURNEY OF KNOWLEDGE FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE FIELD, FROM RESEARCH TO COMMERCIALIZATION
Making evaluations regarding the commercialization agreement signed between İZÜ and GÜBRETAŞ, İZÜ Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Küçük said: “We consider it extremely valuable that the academic knowledge developed at our university is transformed into high value-added products that respond to our country’s strategic needs. The development of domestic and innovative technologies in areas such as agriculture, food security, and sustainable production, which directly shape the future, is of great importance for Türkiye’s production power and competitive capacity. This collaboration we are carrying out with GÜBRETAŞ is a strong example of the journey of knowledge from the laboratory to the field, from research to commercialization. The meeting of academic competence and sector experience under the same vision will provide long-term contributions to our country not only economically, but also environmentally and strategically.”
EMPHASIS ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC PRODUCTION
Speaking at the ceremony, GÜBRETAŞ Vice Chairman of the Board Yasin Ayaz drew attention to the importance of global food security and stated that sustainable agriculture can only be achieved through strong R&D and innovation investments. Referring to the strategic importance of increasing domestic and national production, Ayaz stated that university-industry collaborations play a critical role in the development of next-generation plant nutrition products.
A STRONG TRANSITION FROM R&D TO COMMERCIALIZATION
General Manager Aytaç Onkun emphasized that GÜBRETAŞ combines its deep-rooted experience in plant nutrition with a strong R&D vision. He stated that GÜBRETAŞ is an institution that reflects its experience in plant nutrition into its R&D vision. Referring to the great importance of R&D studies carried out in the field of plant nutrition for ensuring agricultural sustainability and food security, he said: “The valuable academics of the GÜBRETAŞ R&D Center and İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim University work in R&D activities with this awareness. We believe that this commercialization agreement we signed with İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim University will add value to our agricultural production. Academic experience combined with our sector and field experience will provide significant contributions to our agricultural production. It is very valuable that the outputs obtained will provide both environmental and economic benefits and increase added value.”