New Target in the Chemical Industry: More Efficient Production with Less Water and Energy

Sustainable production efforts in the chemical industry are concentrating on reducing water and energy consumption, efficient use of raw materials, and reintegrating waste into the economy, alongside carbon emissions. GEBKİM OSB, Türkiye's first Chemical Specialized Organized Industrial Zone, continues to implement its resource efficiency practices as well.

While the scope of green transformation in industry extends beyond carbon emissions, water, energy, raw material and waste management are also among the important indicators of environmental performance. More efficient use of resources not only reduces environmental impacts but also contributes to increased efficiency in production processes.

In this context, GEBKİM OSB documented its sustainability efforts by obtaining the Green OSB Certificate in 2025, while carrying out work in the areas of water and energy efficiency, waste management, greenhouse gas emissions tracking and renewable energy use.

Water recovery is being increased at GEBKİM

As climate change increases pressure on water resources, efficient use and recovery of water is becoming an important agenda item in industry. In this context, GEBKİM OSB continues work on the GEBKİM Pond Project, which has a capacity of 100 thousand cubic meters.

With the implementation of the project, it is aimed to harvest rainwater to create an alternative water source for companies in the region.

Water-saving practices are also being implemented at existing facilities. Thanks to line revisions at the wastewater treatment plant, treated wastewater has begun to be used in chemical preparation, sludge dewatering and cleaning operations that do not require potable water. With this practice, 1,000 cubic meters of mains water use per month is being prevented, while approximately 20,000 cubic meters of water are recovered annually through the revisions at the facilities.

Water consumption is being analyzed with the “Mavi Damla” (Blue Drop) project

Within the scope of the Mavi Damla Water Efficiency Project carried out by GEBKİM OSB with the support of the Eastern Marmara Development Agency (MARKA), the consumption profiles of two pilot facilities with high water consumption were analyzed.

As a result of the studies, water efficiency measures that companies can implement were identified, while a water efficiency system was also established at the GEBKİM OSB Management Center in line with the Water Efficiency Regulation.

While efficiency measures are being implemented in the buildings and facilities belonging to the OSB, water efficiency trainings were also held for participating companies. In green areas, drip irrigation systems are being used to reduce water consumption.

Energy consumption is being tracked

As part of energy management, one of the important topics of resource efficiency, GEBKİM OSB tracks its energy consumption within the framework of the TS EN ISO 50001 Energy Management System.

While points of high energy consumption such as the wastewater treatment plant and environmental lighting are monitored, LED lighting and energy-efficient equipment are used in the management buildings to reduce electricity consumption. Solar Power Plant (GES) panels within the OSB also contribute to renewable energy production.

Greenhouse gas emissions are being tracked

Calculation and tracking of greenhouse gas emissions are also carried out at GEBKİM OSB. While direct and indirect emissions are monitored, the proportion of participating companies that carry out sustainability reporting and complete their greenhouse gas calculations is also being tracked.

According to current data, 31 percent of GEBKİM OSB participants have completed their greenhouse gas calculations. Thanks to regularly tracked data, it is aimed to make the OSB's environmental performance measurable and to carry out improvement efforts based on concrete indicators.

Waste management and digital transformation are also on the agenda

GEBKİM OSB, within the scope of the TS EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ensures that waste is disposed of properly, that employees are made aware of environmental issues, and that water and energy consumption are recorded.

Efforts to reduce resource use are also being carried out in the field of digital transformation. By moving the OSB's physical archive to a digital environment, it is aimed to reduce paper consumption and the resulting waste generation.

GEBKİM OSB Board of Directors Acting Chairman İbrahim Aracı stated that sustainability has now become one of the fundamental elements of production processes, and noted that they are carrying out measurable work in various areas ranging from water and energy efficiency to waste management, and from greenhouse gas emissions to renewable energy use.

Aracı stated that they have documented their work within the framework of certain criteria with the Green OSB Certificate, and said that in the coming period they will continue to develop their practices especially in the areas of water recovery and resource efficiency.