The 32nd Şahabettin Bilgisu Environmental Awards have been presented to companies recognized for their contribution to environmental protection and sustainability. Organized by the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry (KCI) and open to participants from across Türkiye, the awards have been held since 1995 to encourage industrial organizations that help improve environmental awareness and best practices.
The Kocaeli Chamber of Industry’s 32nd Şahabettin Bilgisu Environmental Awards ceremony was held with high attendance.
The awards ceremony hosted by Chairman of the Board Dr. Ayhan Zeytinoğlu and Assembly Chairman Hasan Tahsin Tuğrul. It took place at the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry’s new service building with the attendance of Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın, Kocaeli University Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk, Kocaeli University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Elif Öğüt, Deputy Governor Dr. Mustafa Ayhan, Provincial Police Chief Faruk Karaduman, Körfez Chamber of Commerce Chairman Recep Öztürk, İZAYDAŞ General Manager Vahit Balahorlu, Ayşen Yengin—the daughter of KCI Founding Former Chairman Şahabettin Bilgisu, KCI Board of Directors, Assembly Members, Provincial Directors, Organized Industrial Zone Managers, company representatives, and numerous distinguished guests.
Before the ceremony, the opening an art exhibition showcasing the works of Sare Ertaş Kural and her students; Belma Köseoğlu, Elif Bilgisu, Gamze Sunar, Habibe Tasa, Hicran Görün, Kamile Çil, and Yonca Beşbilek, was inaugurated.
ŞAHABETTİN BİLGİSU WAS MEMORATED
KCI Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu made the opening speech of the ceremony. He started his speech by saying; ‘On this occasion, I respectfully and with mercy commemorate here our Founding Former Chairman Şahabettin Bilgisu, whose name our award bears. As every year, I want to start by reminding of Şahabettin Bilgisu’s words; “Balance in Economy and Ecology; the secret of the business is in this balance”‘.
Zeytinoğlu stated that the implementation of many pilot projects aimed at protecting the environment for the first time and the fact that these practices have unique characteristics specific to our province is satisfactory. He emphasized that industrialists always support projects towards environmental sustainability.
Chairman Zeytinoğlu described the ‘Izmit Bay Eastern Basin Bottom Mud Cleaning, Dewatering, and Disposal Project’ as Türkiye’s largest environmental project and expressed that ‘’Kocaeli is also a pioneer in the use of grey water in industry.”
WE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF COP 31
“Environmental awareness and green transition have now become not just about protecting nature but a fundamental requirement for existing in global markets.” was stated by Chairman Zeytinoğlu and said:
“The European Union’s carbon border adjustments, sustainable financing criteria, and the change in consumer expectations are forcing our companies to accelerate their environmental investments. For this reason we view COP 31 as a strategic opportunity. It will be hosted by our country in Antalya this November. In this context, the ‘COP 31 Business Forum’ was formed last week under the leadership of TOBB. We too, will contribute to the COP 31 efforts.”
ALL OF OUR COMPANIES ARE CHAMPIONS
Zeytinoğlu concluded his speech by saying: ‘Within the scope of the “Şahabettin Bilgisu Environmental Awards Organization” which is one of the most important works among the environmental projects that we carry out as KCI, we continue to contribute to the dissemination of exemplaries by rewarding our companies that implement best practices. We are proud of hosting the Şahabettin Bilgisu Environmental Awards, which is Türkiye’s first and only award organization in this field, uninterruptedly for 32 years. First of all, we congratulate all our companies that showed the courage to participate in this organization and opened their doors and processes to us. I congratulate all participants once again and declare each of them as a champion
THEY CONGRATULATED THE COMPANIES
Following Chairman Zeytinoğlu’s speech, The Mayor of Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Assoc. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın addressed the Municipality’s environmental efforts and emphasized the importance of greywater utilization. The Governor of Kocaeli Mr. İlhami Aktaş emphasized the importance of the award ceremony, congratulated the companies and stated the necessity of leaving a clean environment for the future. Aktaş said that the environmental awards that had been started 32 years ago and have become even more important today.
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO THEIR WINNERS
After the speechs, the awards were presented to the winners.
The Jury Incentive Award went to Bekaert Çelik Kord San. ve Tic. A.Ş. – Kartepe Branch. The award was presented to Türkiye Occupational Health, Safety and Environment Manager Murat Emre Elmas and Türkiye Finance Director Vice Chairman of the Board Dr. Burcu Birol by Ayşen Yengin, daughter of Şahabettin Bilgisu- representing the family, and Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu.
The Large-Scale Enterprise Category Mixed Sector Environmental Award went to Federal Mogul Powertrain Otomotiv A.Ş. Sapanca Branch. The award was presented to Factory Director Mr. Erdem Altuğ by KCI Assembly Chairman Mr. Hasan Tahsin Tuğrul joined by Körfez Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mr. Recep Öztürk and KOÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Nuh Zafer Cantürk.
The Large-Scale Enterprise Category Automotive Main Industry Environmental Award went to Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A.Ş. – Kocaeli Plants. The award was presented to Human Resources and Transformation Leader Osman Özdemir by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın. The Large-Scale Enterprise Category Environmental Award went to Türk Henkel Kimya San. ve Tic. A.Ş. Gebze 2 Branch. The award was presented to Board Member, Head of Adhesive Technologies and Middle East & Africa Operations Director Mr. Mehmet Yılmaz together with Henkel Türkiye Safety Health and Environment Manager Ms.Tuğba Sütçüler by Governor of Kocaeli Mr. İlhami Aktaş.
