Chemistry, along with chemical and mechanical engineering, plays a crucial role in our vehicles, which are present everywhere in life. Whether in internal combustion, electric, or hybrid vehicles, chemistry is integral to fuel, biofuels, combustion, electrochemistry, lubricants, greases, coolants, electricity, e-liquids, and manufacturing inputs. For chemical engineers, expertise in engine fuel and lubricating oils is a privilege. My technical excitement peaked when I first tested an internal combustion engine and drove for the first time. Quickly analyzing thermodynamics, hydrocarbon molecules, and lubricant additives with your right foot is a unique engineering pleasure. I once prayed for the inventors of the internal combustion engine, Nikolaus August Otto and Rudolf Diesel.
Petroleum refining and automotive technology have advanced together. Meanwhile, biorefineries and biofuels, powered by biogenic carbon, have always existed. We have numerous sub-industries and have come a long way since the invention of the internal combustion engine. Today, transportation is undergoing electrification, and innovation in the automotive and chemical industries is accelerating competitively. Both industries are working to reduce environmental impact and promote climate-resilient production to address biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change. Key developments include second- and third-generation biodiesel and bioethanol, sustainable aviation and marine fuels, the hydrogen and ammonia economies, renewable electricity, greenhouse gas-neutral e-liquids, biolubricants, biogreases, and biomaterials.
I see the power of chemistry in vehicles in two places: While driving my car and watching Formula 1 (F1) races. This makes me proud of my career choice. This year marks F1’s 75th anniversary. Formula E offers a different thrill. F1 remains a male-dominated sport, but pioneers like Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first female driver in 1958-1959, and Lella Lombardi, who raced from 1974-1976 and became the only female driver to score F1 points, paved the way. F1 Academy is leading global efforts to increase female participation in motorsports. The third F1 Academy Racing Series is taking place across seven countries on three continents, including Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, Singapore, and Las Vegas after Shanghai and Jeddah. I highly recommend following it.
F1 is returning to our country. The Istanbul Grand Prix will be part of the 2026 schedule. The most exciting aspect of F1 for me is fuel formulation, octane ratings, and lubricant and tire selection. Every gram of an F1 car, including its fuel, lubricant, and tires, carries immense value throughout its life cycle. After all, each vehicle has both a financial and environmental cost.
In vehicle life cycle management, prioritizing waste management for end-of-life vehicles and lubricants adds value as raw materials and reduces environmental impact. Not all are waste; they are national assets. PETROL Ofisi and TAYRAŞ shared insights on upcycling lubricating oils and advanced lubricants at the “Sustainable Solutions on the Path to Decarbonization and the Power of Green Money” event, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Istanbul Technical University (ITU). Organized by the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association (SÜT-D) on April 14-15, 2025, at ITU’s Ayazağa Campus, the event received media support from Lubricant World Magazine and achieved ‘Carbon Neutral’ status with ST Climate’s backing. The Carbon-Free Carbon Summit, led by TÜBİTAK MAM Climate and Life Sciences Vice President Assoc. Dr. Özgen Ercan, featured the “Carbon Management and Industry” session. We gained valuable insights from PETROL Ofisi POTEM R&D and Laboratories Manager Sevda Atar, TAYRAŞ Board Advisor Dr. Erol Metin, QSI General Manager Okay Kayhanlı, GT Karbon Fan General Manager Savaş Tosun, an esteemed ITU graduate, about their organizations’ contributions to decarbonization. Understanding QSI and GT Karbon Fan and their differences is essential.
At our summit, the prestigious SÜT-D 2025 Low Carbon Hero Award was presented to its deserving recipients, and SÜT-D 2025 Small Carbon Hero Bilfen Climate Detectives Team’s performance filled the event with joy and optimism.
Manage waste well, protect your climate
Come on, recycle, protect your climate
Use energy efficiently, protect your climate
Consume fewer resources, protect your climate
With these words, our young climate detectives highlighted the importance of sustainable living, reinforced by their uplifting call to action: “Let the World Smile.”
I extend my deepest gratitude to the business community, civil society, and media organizations that supported our tenth summit. The summit’s final report and presentation e-book will soon be available on our websites—stay connected with us. Our country’s journey toward decarbonization requires collective action from both individuals and organizations. Preparations are already underway for our next summit. We look forward to welcoming our stakeholders to the 11th Istanbul Carbon Summit, themed “Decarbonization, Carbon Market, and Climate Technologies,” taking place on May 4-5, 2026, at Istanbul Technical University’s registered green campus, which keeps progressing toward its ambitious “2048 Carbon Neutral ITU” goal.
