Major Project Launched in İzmir

Major Project Implemented in Izmir World's largest industrial solar cooling system comes to life in Izmir   Soliterm Group, led by Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu, has implemented the world's largest industrial solar cooling system at MM Group's production facilities in Izmir. The large-scale project will meet the facility's heating, cooling and hot water needs through solar energy, preventing more than 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. At a time when global warming has become the top item on the world agenda, every investment in renewable energy sources carries great importance for sustainability. Soliterm Group, headquartered in Aachen, Germany, and having achieved major global success under the leadership of Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu, has marked a historic sustainability milestone by implementing the world's largest industrial solar cooling system at MM Graphia production facilities in Izmir-Tire, owned by Austrian-based MM Group. Soliterm Group's patented technology, one of the world's leading institutions for solar energy solutions, will enable MM Group's Izmir facilities—one of the world's largest cardboard manufacturers—to save more than 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. In other words, it will recover in one year the amount of carbon that approximately 1,000 vehicles emit into the atmosphere in one year. The project is part of the German Energy Solutions Initiative—Renewable Energy Solutions Program and is being closely monitored and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

A world first in its field

A 4,500 square-meter system installed on the roof of MM Graphia facilities in Tire, Izmir will achieve more than 3.5 MW of cooling output. The parabolic trough collectors developed by Soliterm Group and the thermal storage system providing energy supply will meet 80 percent of the facility's entire heating, cooling and hot water needs through solar energy. The system implemented at MM Graphia facilities is the world's largest project in this field in terms of scale. Every step we take concerns the entire planet Soliterm Group CEO Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu, emphasizing that solar energy is the world's most valuable renewable energy source, stated that solar energy investments are no longer a choice but a necessity at this point. Lokurlu continued his remarks as follows: "This adventure started years ago. We are at a point in a struggle that started with the question of how we can do things better in the world and has been ongoing for approximately 20 years. We have implemented such a scale and format in Turkey. Every step we take concerns the entire planet. We don't need to be experts to see how climate conditions are changing. Simply living on this planet is enough. Wherever you go in the world, you will experience the same things. The cost of the floods experienced in Germany last year was over EUR 30 billion. These situations, which are hardly calculated, are increasing. What we need to do is contribute while being aware of this. If everyone does it for themselves, we will have done it for all of us," he explained. Lokurlu said that the pandemic period has caused humanity to pass through a test regarding sustainable living, and expressed that this important step taken by MM Group before the pandemic has the potential to change the world.

Producing cold using the sun that burns us

Providing information about the investment made, Dr. Lokurlu stated, "This system is now producing cold using the sun that burns us in Izmir. The free sun above will take on the function of electricity obtained by paying hundreds of thousands of euros, will not send you a bill, and will continuously cool. Global ambient temperatures are rising. The reason for this is people. Actually, we are late on many fronts. For this reason, we must strive to minimize the problems we will face as quickly as possible. This project is one of them. Thanks to the system, the electricity cost used by this facility will drop to nearly zero by using solar energy. At a time when energy prices have exploded, even reducing electricity costs to only 20 percent brings in great returns. This, in calculations made a year later, will show what the energy cost is, and whether energy prices rise or not will not concern you. Just as this system cools in summer, it also provides heating in winter. With energy prices having increased so much, companies now have no other choice. Their only chance is to install such systems," he explained.

It became a wonderful investment

MM Group, based in Austria and one of the world's largest cardboard manufacturers, employs more than 12,000 people across 52 production facilities in 22 countries. As part of the 1.5C Business Ambition, the company promotes sustainable development with recyclable and biodegradable cardboard packaging for its net zero emissions commitment and targets efficient production. At the group's MM Graphia production facility in Izmir, energy is used in production processes and for air-conditioning needs. MM Graphia CEO Fuat Polat noted that green transformation and the use of a climate lens in all processes are part of MM Group culture, and emphasized that the step taken through the Soliterm partnership has a game-changing impact. Fuat Polat stated, "Seeing together what this facility we have built has really brought us makes me very emotional. The greatest example of what we can achieve if we want is standing right in front of you now. It has been a wonderful investment not just for us, but for people, our country, and nature," he said.

We will meet nearly 80 percent of our energy needs from here

Pointing out that energy resources are beginning to decline and prices continue to rise, Polat said, "Our company needed thermal energy. During a period when we were embarking on renewing the old systems we had before starting this project, we evaluated alternatives. We thought this system, developed as a result of scientific research in the renewable energy field, was an unparalleled opportunity for us. We made the decision immediately. In our sun-rich country, we said 'Why not?' and set off. Thanks to this system, we will meet nearly 80 percent of our energy needs from here during the summer months. We will have annual energy savings of approximately 65 percent. That is a very significant figure for us. Perhaps people might avoid it because of the high cost, but one day when energy sources run out, they will turn to this investment. We also had many projects in mind. Because we are a group that believes strongly in science and technology, making such an investment was much more meaningful for us. There is a serious investment here. Seeing the results of the facility we have built makes us very happy. As a group, we have taken an important step towards our zero waste and zero carbon footprint targets. The investment we have made is also an indication of how seriously we take this matter. I am very proud because such investments are not just relevant to the location where they are built but affect the entire world," he said.

Restructuring is needed

Dr. Detlev Wolter, German Consul General in Izmir, who attended the launch of the project at MM Graphia production facilities, congratulated the parties, noting that the project is a great success. Wolter explained: "Solar energy technology is one of Germany's strengths and truly reflects the power of the German economy and companies. Because of this strength, Izmir is no longer just the wind energy capital but is becoming the capital of renewable energies. I don't need to tell you how important your contribution in the field of environmentally friendly energy supply is. For the world to transition from nuclear and fossil energy sources to renewable energy sources and thus sustainable, clean, flexible energy use, our energy supply must be completely restructured. This will affect all areas of the economy," he said.

A project that can serve as an example to other countries

Dr. Tobias Junne, Adviser at the German Ministry of Economy and Environment, said they provide support for greater use of renewable energy sources in many regions, and stated, "Recently, we have supported 102 projects in approximately 60 and more countries. I particularly want to emphasize why this project is important and significant today. This project is, on its own, the highest in its sector and examples, both in terms of scale and efficiency. A unique and first-of-its-kind project in the world that can serve as an example to other countries. An extraordinary system used for both heating and cooling systems at a production facility. We hope that this project, developed between Germany and Turkey, will lead to more efficient cooperation in sustainable air-conditioning," he said. At the launch, participants, including guests from abroad, examined the industrial solar cooling system on site.