Development of Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Applications for SMEs in Gaziantep

The “Development of Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Applications for SMEs in Gaziantep” project, which we implemented with the cooperation of Gaziantep Chamber of Industry and EBRD support, has been successfully completed. In this study, which was carried out with four SMEs from the chemical, food and plastic sectors, detailed analyses were carried out in the areas of production processes, raw material use and waste management.

Opportunities that will increase the resource efficiency of enterprises and encourage circularity were determined through on-site visits and technical meetings. The project aimed to contribute to both the increase of operational efficiency and the adaptation processes to the EU Green Deal.

Climate-Ready İzmir: Enhancing Resilience Strategies (CRIZ-ERS)

Climate-Ready İzmir: Enhancing Resilience Strategies (CRIZ-ERS) is a comprehensive initiative supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Program. It aims to transform İzmir into a city resilient to climate change. Coordinated by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, the project scientifically analyzes the main climate risks facing the city, including extreme rainfall, heatwaves, agricultural drought, and coastal flooding, and develops adaptation strategies to address them.

The project actively utilizes the CLIMAAX tool (Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Toolbox) developed by the European Union. This tool combines high-resolution climate projections and socio-economic data for İzmir as a whole and the Konak district in particular, allowing for detailed analysis of key climate risks such as extreme rainfall and floods, heatwaves, agricultural drought, and sea-level rise. By the project’s end, public institutions, academic organizations, private sector representatives, non-governmental organizations, and citizens will be actively involved. Stakeholder opinions, local knowledge, and technical analyses will be integrated to conduct a multi-dimensional assessment. This participatory process will lead to concrete intervention proposals in various areas, such as strengthening green and blue infrastructure, establishing early warning systems for disasters, increasing the resilience of critical infrastructure, reducing the urban heat island effect, and preserving cultural heritage.

Upon completion of the process, Climate Action Plans for İzmir province and Konak District will be prepared, and İzmir province’s SECAP (Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan) study will be updated.

Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SECAP)

The Municipality of Çankaya has launched preparatory work on a Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SECAP) to address climate change and implement sustainable energy policies. In this project, for which GTE provides technical consultancy, the goals include identifying climate-related risks in Çankaya, developing strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and taking steps to adapt to climate change.

As part of this effort, a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory for Çankaya District and the Çankaya Municipality will be prepared, the climate-related risks faced by Çankaya will be analyzed and prioritized, options to reduce carbon emissions will be identified, and a detailed roadmap to strengthen climate resilience will be developed. The project is expected to be completed by May 2025.

CircularPSP: Innovative Solutions for the Circular Economy

The “CircularPSP: Innovative Solutions for the Circular Economy” project, coordinated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, is supported under the European Union Horizon 2020 program. The consortium, which includes GTE, also comprises stakeholders such as Circular Berlin, Forum Virium Helsinki, Sandyford Business District, Município de

CircularPSP is a project that fosters collaboration among eight leading cities representing 45 million citizens to accelerate the transition to the Circular Economy (CE). Bringing together public procurers from across Europe, the initiative includes globally influential capitals such as Berlin, Helsinki, London, and Istanbul.

Within the project:

  • Cities, regions, government organizations, and public procurers have the opportunity to connect with consortium representatives.
  • They receive updates on the solution development timeline, key milestones, and collaboration opportunities.

Following the Call-off Phase II in September 2024, three suppliers were selected to further develop an innovative Circular Economy solution and test the CircularPSP prototype systems.

One of the supplier consortia, CircularAI, offers an AI-powered solution to help municipalities, their employees, and local businesses adopt circular economy practices more effectively and at scale. GTE is a partner in the CircularAI consortium, which leverages advanced AI and data analytics to support cities in becoming more sustainable, resource-efficient, and resilient.

For more information about the project:

https://circularpsp.eu/

Follow CircularAI on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/circularai

The Technical Feasibility of Izmir Resource Efficiency Center

“Izmir Resource Efficiency Center” project, initiated by Izmir Development Agency (IZKA) in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, aims to enhance the productivity and sustainability capacities of businesses in the Izmir Atatürk Organized Industrial Zone by providing guidance on industrial symbiosis, digital transformation, clean energy, and carbon management. GTE plays a crucial role during the technical feasibility phase, offering consultancy in critical areas such as infrastructure setup, human resource planning, cost-benefit analysis, and the development of sustainable business models.

Following the feasibility study outcomes, the center will create shared spaces for the private sector, accelerating production, R&D, and innovation activities while boosting regional competitiveness.

Sanliurfa OIZ Wastewater Recovery Efficiency Project

The “Wastewater Recovery Efficiency Project,” led by GTE with the support of the Karacadag Development Agency and under the advisory of Prof. Dr. Erkan Sahinkaya from Istanbul Medeniyet University, is being implemented in alignment with the priorities of the World Bank-Financed Turkey Organized Industrial Zones Project financial support program.

The project, in collaboration with Sanliurfa Organized Industrial Zone, aims to ensure the effective and efficient management of water resources and serves as a model for the green transformation of industry in Turkey. Existing technologies for wastewater recovery in SUOIZ have been evaluated, preliminary designs have been developed, and feasibility studies have been conducted to assess the project’s economic, technical, and environmental aspects, including approximate investment and operating costs.

You can access the full feasibility report below.

Şanlıurfa OIZ Wastewater Recovery Efficieny Project Technical Feasibility Report

Cerkezkoy Organized Industrial Zone Wastewater Recovery Project

GTE is serving as a technical consultant for a project aimed at recovering wastewater generated from various sectors, such as textiles, chemicals, electronics, and food, operating within the Cerkezkoy Organized Industrial Zone (COIZ). The project intends for the recovered wastewater to be used as process water in the companies within the OSB.

As part of the World Bank’s Green OIZ program, a wastewater recovery facility with an initial capacity of 25,000 m³/day will be established in COIZ. The plan is to recover the produced wastewater and use it as a secondary water source for 17 companies within the OSB. This is expected to help reduce the pressure on water resources and contribute to the sustainable management of these resources. In this context, a comprehensive feasibility study is being conducted. The study aims to present detailed outcomes evaluating the project’s technical, economic, environmental, and social impacts.

Yalova Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) Green Transformation Project

Yalova Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) aims to measure the “Green Maturity Level” of its 30 member companies and establish a mechanism that will support sustainable green employment as part of the “Green Transformation Program” being conducted by the Yalova Qualified Employment Center. Funded by the Eastern Marmara Development Agency (MARKA) and implemented under the Turkey Green OIZ Program led by Turkey’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, GTE is serving as a technical consultant for the project.

The primary goal of the project is to assess the readiness of Yalova OIZ member companies for green transformation by analyzing various dimensions such as green technologies, processes, organizational structure, and company culture. As part of the project, field visits will be conducted to measure the green transformation maturity levels of 30 member companies in Yalova OIZ. At the end of the program, a roadmap highlighting the green transformation levels of the 30 participating companies will be prepared, and training sessions will be organized.

Increasing Wastewater Recovery Opportunities in Bursa Demirtas Organised Industrial Zone

GTE has carried out studies for the efficient use of water and increasing the possibilities of recycling wastewater in the facilities located in Bursa Demirtas Organised Industrial Zone (DOSAB).

Due to the expected increase in water consumption in the industry, the impact of climate change on water resources, and the rise in water costs, wastewater recovery opportunities should be increased, and the sustainability of the water provided by DOSAB to its participants should be ensured. While reducing the use of underground water resources in the project, it is aimed to strengthen the competitiveness of companies in international platforms by increasing the rate of recovered water.

Investigation of Wastewater Recovery Opportunities in İzmir Ataturk Organised Industrial Zone (IAOIZ)

GTE studied the possibilities of using existing technologies to recover wastewater produced in the Izmir Ataturk Organized Industrial Zone (IAOSB), one of our country’s leading organised industrial zones.

Since the increasing water demand in the industry can no longer be met sustainably with the existing surface and underground water resources and the water costs increase, the wastewater in IAOSB needs to be recovered and reused. The project’s scope is aimed at creating a secondary water source to be used by the industry.