Petrol Ofisi Technology Center (POTEM) is recognized as one of the largest and most advanced laboratories in Türkiye and globally. Spanning approximately 738 m2, this cutting-edge facility boasts a comprehensive technological infrastructure and highly skilled human resources.
Since receiving a $4 million investment in 2008, POTEM has continuously upgraded its technical capabilities with new investments each year. With the most comprehensive accreditation in its field by TÜRKAK, this high-level laboratory has the capacity to perform over 300 tests and has become a “referee laboratory” on the international stage with its reliable tests.
POTEM earned the prestigious “R&D Center” status from Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology based on its contributions to the company and sector, the number of published reports, articles, and academic studies, its portfolio of new products and patents, and its technological competence and infrastructure. This esteemed recognition, achieved by very few companies in the lubricants sector, highlights POTEM’s consistent success.
We spoke with Petrol Ofisi Lubricants Director Sezgin Gürsu and POTEM R&D and Laboratory Manager Sevda Atar about the significance of the “R&D Center” status and the benefits it will bring to the sector.
Sezgin Gürsu: POTEM Will Strengthen Petrol Ofisi’s Competitive Power with “R&D Center” Status
We learned that POTEM has earned the R&D Center status. We would like to hear your feelings about this.
First of all, as Petrol Ofisi, we are proud of the POTEM team and their work. POTEM has already been a technology base working with R&D awareness since the day it was founded. We have seen this approach in all the work carried out, from raw material input to product development, from meeting customer demands to adapting new technologies to Türkiye. As Petrol Ofisi management, we continued to transfer resources and invest in POTEM even when we were implementing savings measures and met all the equipment needs of our colleagues. The fact that such a structure, which we have worked hard for, has received the “R&D Center” status by complying with the criteria determined by the legislation reflects POTEM’s consistent success and makes us proud. I wholeheartedly congratulate all my colleagues who contributed to this success.
How will POTEM’s R&D Center status contribute to our sector and country?
We view the “R&D Center” status as a stepping stone for POTEM rather than a final goal. With its advanced technical infrastructure, skilled workforce, and extensive capabilities, POTEM is poised to become Türkiye’s leading tribology center. Tribology, the science of lubrication and friction, is not a widely known term. However, as the focus on sustainability and the circular economy increases, and issues like energy efficiency and carbon emissions take center stage, tribology’s importance will grow, leading to a rising demand for research in this field.
The industry, particularly the automotive sector, is already moving in that direction. Automotive manufacturers are primarily focused on three areas: reducing harmful emissions, creating smaller engines, and improving fuel efficiency. Consequently, as an R&D Center, POTEM will concentrate on sustainability and energy efficiency, contributing to the advancement of tribology science. We have already presented numerous studies and articles on greases and hydraulic oils at international conferences. Our academic publications in these fields will continue to grow, and we will conduct exemplary studies in collaboration with universities, setting a benchmark for the entire sector.
POTEM will successfully represent our country abroad while providing pioneering services domestically. As Petrol Ofisi, we currently export to 33 countries across Europe and our nearby regions. None of these countries have an R&D center as extensive as POTEM. For instance, we have met product needs in cold climates like Kazakhstan and hot regions like Libya with formulas developed at POTEM. Therefore, we will rapidly progress towards becoming the most significant and comprehensive R&D center not only in Türkiye but also in our region. We will conduct studies that integrate science and technology, benefiting both human life and the machines we use.
AccordIng to Sezgin Gürsu, POTEM wIll become a leadIng technology base, conductIng trIbology studIes as the most comprehensIve R&D center In Türkiye and the regIon. The research at POTEM Is expected to sIgnIfIcantly contrIbute to sustaInabIlIty through enhanced energy effIcIency.
As you mentioned, POTEM is at the forefront of developing innovative products using the latest technologies, keeping pace with global advancements. Can you explain how this process works?
As you mentioned, innovative products at POTEM are being developed concurrently with global advancements in technology. How does this process work? At Petrol Ofisi, we collaborate with our business partners, OEMs, and additive companies to create specific formulas tailored to their needs. Additionally, we have specialized products designed for unique applications, which we refer to as tailor-made solutions. Examples include hydraulic oils, greases, and compressor oils capable of operating in extremely cold or hot conditions, for which we have received numerous demands. I believe that, over time, the demand for these specialized products will increase with technological advancements and changes in machinery and equipment. POTEM’s R&D infrastructure, tailored to meet these specific needs, will significantly enhance Petrol Ofisi’s competitive edge.
Sevda Atar: We Focus on Advancing Sustainability and Energy Efficiency at POTEM
Can you give us information about the technological capabilities and studies conducted at POTEM?
Petrol Ofisi’s unwavering commitment to POTEM is reflected in continuous investment and resource allocation. With over 300 pieces of cutting-edge equipment, we are well-equipped to conduct thorough research and product development. Annually, we carry out more than 150,000 analyses within the scope of our R&D efforts. These analyses enable us to perform advanced tribological measurements, observe the impact of our products on equipment, and refine our formulations and product designs based on the results.
We provide technical support and inspection services not only for Petrol Ofisi but also for other companies. As our export volume and publications increase, our recognition and demand grow. Consequently, our equipment infrastructure and capacity are also expanding. We are one of the world’s most widely accredited laboratories in the field of lubricants. We had 83 test accreditations in 2020, which has increased to 182 test accreditations today. This significant accreditation power enables us to produce accurate and reliable reports that comply with international standards. Our role as a referee laboratory is based on this strong accreditation foundation.
POTEM conducts over 150,000 analyses annually and Is recognIzed as a referee laboratory wIth Its 182 test accredItatIons and relIable reportIng capabIlItIes. Our state-of-the-art machInery and equIpment pool facIlItates the executIon of numerous crItIcal trIbologIcal tests.
What can you tell us about the performance of the products developed by Turkish engineers at POTEM? Is there a specific area where your work is focused?
The performance characteristics of our finished products vary depending on the product type, application, and customer needs. We are capable of creating tailor-made products to meet these diverse requirements. For instance, our recently developed mold oil product range has yielded exceptional results, leading us to apply for a patent. Our primary focus areas include tribological needs such as reducing friction, enhancing energy efficiency, and achieving fuel savings. One notable example is our Adaptech technology products, recently introduced to the market, which contribute to sustainability by providing significant fuel savings. Additionally, we have developed Hydro Tech HVI-E 32 hydraulic oil that makes a substantial contribution to energy savings. Furthermore, our product range for electric vehicles is designed to ensure the comfortable and efficient use of existing vehicles in the market.
Petrol Ofisi Group is proud to be one of the few companies holding the “Equal Women at Work” Certificate. How does this commitment to women’s employment manifest at POTEM?
Petrol Ofisi is dedicated to promoting women’s employment and supporting their career advancement. Legal rights and terms, such as pregnancy and maternity leave, are applied comprehensively at Petrol Ofisi. This management approach fosters trust and loyalty among our female employees. At POTEM, we echo this commitment with an even higher proportion of women in our workforce. Over 75% of our engineers and scientists at POTEM are women. This means the R&D Center of the industry leader is predominantly managed by women scientists and engineers. However, our focus isn’t on gender but on promoting qualified employment and preventing brain drain. We strive to ensure women are treated equally and do not face disadvantageous practices.
POTEM Is commended for Its commItment to employIng female scIentIsts. The R&D Center’s dIrector and over 75% of Its scIentIfIc staff are women.
