Dr. Cemil Kanat Sarısoy
TTGV Pioneer Project Program – Program Expert
Technology Development Foundation of Türkiye (TTGV), playing a significant role with its contributions to innovation and sustainability, especially in climate technologies and eco-friendly production processes, is drawing attention with its ongoing projects. The Foundation’s deep analyses, innovation support programs, and strategic collaborations, particularly in the cement industry, offer key opportunities for industry players to achieve sustainability goals. TTGV’s analyses and support mechanisms provide great opportunities for the sector players and pave the way for the green transformation.
Could you briefly tell us about Technology Development Foundation of Türkiye, the areas it works in, and its support mechanisms?
Technology Development Foundation of Türkiye (TTGV) was established in 1991 as a public-private partnership with the aim of enhancing the technological and innovative capacities of the private sector and contributing to international competitiveness, valueadded production, and promoting exports.
At TTGV, we operate with the vision of “Technology-Producing Türkiye.” We have a structure that closely follows global technology and innovation developments, inspires, learns, teaches through knowledge sharing, and applies it. By sharing our dynamic intellectual capital with society, we create value as a neutral and agile platform. We aim to spread the culture of innovation through exemplary projects in Türkiye.
As of 2023, we shifted our focus to climate technologies. We are currently working on sustainable cement production, new fuel technologies for hard-to-decarbonize sectors, carbon capture, utilization, and storage solutions, long-duration electrochemical energy storage technologies at grid scale, alternative protein technologies, and clean hydrogen technologies. We are conducting in-depth analyses and developing new projects in these areas.
Through three main programs, namely the Pioneer Project Program, Climate Lab Community Program, and Eco-Production Industry Program, we support the climate technologies ecosystem.
With our Pioneer Project Program, we focus on environmental issues triggered by climate change and global priorities in this field. In line with legal and commercial requirements such as the Paris Agreement, the European Green Deal, and carbon border adjustments, we aim to increase the capacity in the field of climate technologies in Türkiye. In this context, we aim to contribute to sector development, production, and supply chain formation by opening the door for new technologies through various support mechanisms.
We run the Pioneer Project Program under three levels: Pioneer- Seeds Program, Pioneer-Demo Program, and Pioneer Investment Program.
With the Pioneer-Seeds Program, we support emerging initiatives in the climate technologies field. We conduct work for initiatives and technology owners at TRL 1-4, who are trying to progress in the productization process and need support with intellectual property strategies and product-market fit.
With the Pioneer-Demo Program, we support established and technologically deep initiatives at TRL 4-7, helping them expand into both local and international markets, find development partners, and engage in proof-of-concept activities.
The Pioneering Investment Program is a TTGV program that aims to research new technological solutions for pioneering applications in the field of climate technologies to be implemented in our country through in-depth analysis studies, and to bring them to life through technology demonstration projects. The program also seeks to accelerate the adoption process of these technologies by the Turkish industry by disseminating the industrial knowledge produced. In the context of the Pioneering Investment Program, deep analysis reports on the identified technologies are regularly shared with relevant industry stakeholders by TTGV. Feasibility activities on the focused technologies (General Assembly Meetings with Industry Institutions, Project Steering Group Meetings, Technical and Economic Feasibility Studies with Potential Stakeholders) are conducted, while providing information, ecosystem development, and project development support to the relevant project stakeholders in line with the dynamics of the project. In this context, the Pioneering Investment Program operates as a support mechanism that will open the way for new technologies, share knowledge, and have a triggering effect on industry development and production/supply chains.
The Climate Lab Community Program was created to enhance information sharing, support value-driven collaborations, and create a collective learning environment in the field of climate technologies. With this programme, we aim to strengthen TTGV’s climate pioneer vision while contributing to our related programmes. Our goal is to feed the ecosystem through knowledge and experience sharing, enabling the widespread adoption of climate technologies. Together with our community members, we evaluate the impacts of climate technologies on climate change and potential solutions for Türkiye’s needs.
So far, we have created a community of approximately 400 people from different sectors and areas of expertise. We continue to enhance information sharing and collaboration through events such as “Climate Technologies Radar,” “Climate Technologies Panels,” “Climate Technologies Case Studies,” “Working Groups,” “Publication Series,” and “Workshops.”
At TTGV, we operate with the vision of “Technology-Producing Türkiye.”
With the Eco-Production Industry Program, we aim to maintain the competitiveness of our industry while focusing on sustainability and clean production. Through this program, we provide support to sectors most affected by climate change and green transformation regulations, especially industries operating in high-emission sectors, those involved in critical supply chains and directly engaged in exports. We are working on projects to develop technological solutions in all production processes, from raw material to final product, to help our industry adapt to the green transformation and increase its international competitiveness.
How does TTGV contribute to innovation and technological development in the cement industry?
The cement industry accounts for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Particularly, the clinker production stage in cement manufacturing, characterized by high energy consumption and CO₂ emissions due to the calcination and firing processes at high temperatures, is a major contributor to emissions. Cement, being the essential material for the construction sector, is in constant demand, especially with the increasing population and urbanization trends. However, this growing demand makes it mandatory to reduce the carbon footprint of cement production in line with climate change and sustainability goals. Considering that the cement sector accounts for about 11-12% of the total national emissions and 6.5% received high levels of interest and participation from the public and the companies in the cement sector. TTGV shared the five topics emphasized in the deep analysis report with all stakeholders through technical and economic presentations, gathering detailed feedback on the highlighted topics.
In this context, TTGV’s contribution can be summarized as developing the technology ecosystem, enhancing technology, scaling it, and developing projects. By triggering sustainable cement technologies, we aim to share the know-how and valuable information created with the sector.
Our goal is to generate innovative, original solutions that create applicable knowledge and resources for Türkiye—ensuring the process delivers broad, lasting impact.
What programs does TTGV currently run in the cement sector, and how do these programs benefit industry players?
In the deep analysis report TTGV created for Sustainable Cement, we researched and analyzed five key topics in detail. These include: The Use of Clean Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel in Cement Plants, Recycling Concrete Waste to Produce Low Carbon Footprint Clinker, Biological Carbon Capture Using Microalgae from Cement Plant Flue Gases, More Efficient Carbon Capture and Production of Valuable Chemicals Using Oxygen-Fuel Technology, Production of Next- Generation Admixture Cement – Use of Limestone Calcined Clay.
As part of these deep analysis studies, TTGV conducted internal assessments and engaged in discussions with public entities, cement companies, and academic stakeholders. Currently, we are focusing on two main topics and have shared detailed updates through General Assembly and Project Steering Group meetings. A collaborative exchange of valuable insights was fostered among all participants. We began working with companies that showed interest and submitted technical qualifications, progressing with detailed technical and economic feasibility stages with TTGV’s expert consultants.
By maintaining an equal distance from all companies in the industry and advancing the process to the project development stages, we initiated collaborations with companies that submitted technical competency forms. Together with subject-matter expert consultants provided by TTGV, we successfully completed detailed technical and economic feasibility assessments. As a result of these stages, valuable data and insights were obtained. Currently, we are moving forward with project support discussions on the projects of “Using Clean Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel in Cement Plants” and “Recycling Concrete Waste to Produce Low Carbon Footprint Clinker.”
I would like to emphasize that, as TTGV, we maintain a highly synergistic communication with stakeholders in the cement sector in the field of climate technologies. We aim to play a pioneering role in reducing carbon emissions and providing a foundation for scaling. In this regard, the projects we have proposed have recieved significant interest, and we have taken concrete steps in this direction. Additionally, I can say that the competitive nature of the sector brings a constructive dynamism to these projects.
At TTGV, we listen, observe and learn about the ecosystem. When identifying needs, we act from a practical perspective, not only theoretical. Our aim is to create knowledge and resources applicable to Türkiye by producing innovative and original solutions and to ensure that this process is widely effective.
At TTGV, we listen, observe and learn about the ecosystem. When identifying needs, we act from a practical perspective, not only theoretical.
What advice would you give to industry players and entrepreneurs to succeed in this field?
I would advise the industry players to closely follow technological developments continuously and dedicate time to developing innovative solutions. When a dedicated team focused on these areas is created and works continuously, we always see that it leads to beneficial outcomes in the medium to long term, even if not immediately.
Collaboration with potential stakeholders, foundations, universities, and research institutes to strengthen the network is crucial. At TTGV, our vision and habit involve bringing these parties together to reach accurate and valuable information. The synergies and creative power we have generated through these collaborations have exceeded our expectations.
I would recommend continuously tracking the support mechanisms of TTGV and other relevant institutions, creating alternative support options that align with their work. Analyzing which institutions can provide which benefits and how they can offer support mechanisms will accelerate strategic progress.
Finally, can you tell us about your career journey and your current position?
I have a background in Economics from Bilkent University. I completed my MBA at the same university and obtained a second master’s degree in International Trade from Autonomous University of Barcelona. I also hold a Ph.D. in Business Administration. In my thesis process, I conducted analyses on the market strategies of environmentally friendly car manufacturers and consumer requirements within the framework of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology. I have over 12 years of experience in climate technologies, IT, business development, and investment, with both national and international company experiences. I have received education and certifications in sustainability, circular economy, project management, and financial technologies. Since 2023, I have been working on the Pioneer Project Program at TTGV, focusing on “Sustainable Cement,” “Energy Storage,” and “Next- Generation Fuels” projects. I am actively developing projects for “Recycling Concrete Waste” and “Using Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel in Cement Production” in the Sustainable cement field.
