Petrol Ofisi Group has inaugurated its new investment that doubles the annual production capacity of its lubricant factory in Kocaeli. The opening of the production and logistics center, which will meet half of Türkiye’s lubricant consumption, was carried out with the participation of state officials and local authorities.
The Petrol Ofisi Group, the traditional leader in the Turkish lubricant market for 13 years, takes pride in the inauguration of its new facility in Kocaeli – Derince. The opening ceremony of the new production and logistics center that elevates the production capacity of the existing lubricant oil factory to a level meeting half of Türkiye’s lubricant oil consumption took place with the participation of Zeynel Kılınç, Deputy Chairman of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office, and other prominent republic officials. Petrol Ofisi Group CEO Mehmet Abbasoğlu and Petrol Ofisi Group Lubricants Director Sezgin Gürsu hosted the event. After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the guests toured the new logistics center and the technology center POTEM, located within the facility. They also obtained information from the senior management of Petrol Ofisi Group while exploring the giant T34 diesel tank.
In addition to the new facility, the construction and installation of filling line revisions, additional tanks and new filling lines will increase the factory’s current annual production capacity of 150,000 tons to 230,000 tons. The facility, which will become one of the few in the world, will have a production capacity that meets half of Türkiye’s consumption. Petrol Ofisi Group, which generates an average of 50 million dollars in export revenue to Türkiye through its exports to 33 countries on 4 continents in the 40-million-ton global lubricant market, will also have additional capacity to serve export markets with this new investment.
Environmentally friendly facility with 2,074 solar panels
With the capacity increase, there will also be a significant reduction in unit energy consumption. Latest technology solar energy panels meet a large portion of the facility’s energy demand. Currently, Petrol Ofisi meets one-third of the electricity production in the factory with 2,074 solar panels and plans to make this two third in the coming stages.
At the lubricant factory, over 400 products are manufactured to meet the demands of all types of vehicles including electric vehicles. The facility produces a wide range of lubricants, including passenger car engine oils, motorcycle oils, heavy-duty commercial vehicle engine oils, transmission and differential oils, marine oils, industrial oils, greases and other specialized products.
The most comprehensive technology center in Türkiye and its vicinity
Located within the facility, Petrol Ofisi Technology Center (POTEM), the most comprehensive technology center in Türkiye and its neighboring region, conducts approximately 150,000 tests annually using high technology equipment and an expert team. POTEM’s expert Turkish engineer team develop products, services and innovations to international standards, and utilize test methods accredited both domestically and internationally. POTEM provides R&D, quality control and analysis services to a wide range of domestic and foreign companies, including public institutions and global giants.
T34 Diesel Tank: Capable of Covering 4 Days of Total Petrol Ofisi Station Sales in the Event of a Potential Istanbul Earthquake
Furthermore, Petrol Ofisi Group has increased its investments within the framework of regulations aimed at the growth of the Turkish fuel market and, to meet additional capacity needs, constructed a massive T34 diesel tank with a capacity of 42,000 cubic meters within the facility. As a result, the company’s current capacity has reached 263,000 cubic meters. In the coming period, Petrol Ofisi Group aims to raise its total tank storage capacity to over 400,000 cubic meters. In the event of a potential Istanbul earthquake, the T34 tank, along with its capacity expansion, will cover 4 days of total Petrol Ofisi station sales in the city. This tank investment will also lead the industry in reducing diesel imports.
During the opening ceremony, Mehmet Abbasoğlu, Petrol Ofisi Group CEO stated “This integrated giant center, which we have doubled in capacity, serves as a technological hub that exports to four continents, promotes Turkish engineering worldwide, and plays a crucial role in our country’s energy independence strategy. This massive facility, where we generate 30% of our total electricity demand from solar energy, houses a significant diesel tank park that we believe will cover four days of station sales in the city in the event of potential Istanbul earthquake and contribute to reducing diesel imports. Our center, built upon a fully digital ecosystem, is a reference point in international projects, thanks to its extensive and innovative lubricant technology center, POTEM, serving the nearby geography. As Petrol Ofisi Group, we will continue to increase our investments to support the sustainable growth of our economy in the New Century of our Republic.”
Sezgin Gürsu, Petrol Ofisi Group Lubricants Director stated the following in his remarks: “Our facility located in the heart of Kocaeli, the industrial hub of our country, is one of the largest in the world. We offer a product portfolio produced with the latest technology that can meet the lubricating oil and grease needs of Türkiye’s heavy industrial facilities, large infrastructure construction projects, local governments, public institutions, road transporters, and farmers. Our facility, with its 8,000 tons of product storage capacity managed digitally, will reduce carbon emissions caused by traditional forklift logistics operations by 60%. This investment, built as the largest indoor facility not only in Türkiye but also in the neighboring region, expresses our strong belief in our country’s potential and growth. As Petrol Ofisi, we will continue our investments in this direction and work with all our might to contribute to the future of our country.”
Zeynel Kılınç, Deputy Chairman of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office, expressed the following in his speech: “Looking at our country in 2022, we see an internal consumption of approximately 500,000 tons. Additionally, we observe a growing trend in exports and private-label production services being delivered abroad. While more than 60% of the total $250 million import comes from Germany, France and the USA, we have achieved a total export of $70 million. Today, our lubricant production, starting from base oils and including additives, can now be maintained with domestic resources. I must say that companies like Petrol Ofisi Group, which both produce and develop technology, have played a significant role in this success. With its high capacity and advanced production technology, the facility we are inaugurating today will make an important contribution in favor of our country in the import-export balance. As the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye Investment Office, we have always supported high-value-added, advanced technology productions like this facility, and we will continue to provide support in the future as well. We will continue to offer our full support in new investments.”
