Doğapet operates a state-of-the-art recycling facility in Kırklareli, located in Turkey’s Marmara province near the Bulgarian border. This facility emphasizes sustainable construction and harnesses renewable energies, aligning with modern environmental standards. The two Starlinger recoSTAR PET 165 HC iV+ PET recycling lines, commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2024, collectively produce 3.6 tons of bottle-grade recycled PET pellets per hour, translating to an impressive annual capacity of 28,000 tons. Notably, the Starlinger PET bottle-to-bottle recycling process holds approval for food-grade applications from national and international authorities, including the FDA and EFSA, as well as prominent brand owners.
“We believe that the plastics recycling sector will gain significant momentum and attract substantial investments, particularly in the bottle-to-bottle segment,” stated Selçuk Gökhan Gerlikhan, General Manager of Doğapet. “As regulations mandating the use of recycled raw materials gain traction globally, we anticipate that Türkiye will also implement stricter regulations in line with zero waste goals in the coming years.”
Presently, Türkiye does not permit the utilization of bottle-grade rPET from mechanical recycling for food applications; only rPET produced through chemical recycling is allowed for new beverage containers or food packaging. Nevertheless, bureaucratic processes enabling the use of mechanically recycled PET for bottle-to-bottle applications are expected to conclude by 2025, coinciding with the rollout of a deposit system for plastic bottles.
Doğapet currently sources post-consumer PET bottles for recycling within Türkiye. Like many other countries, the collection and pre-sorting of plastic scrap predominantly fall under private sector management. However, the government is preparing to introduce measures such as the aforementioned bottle deposit system. “The pre-sorting processes for used PET packaging in Turkey are remarkably efficient, which positively impacts the quality of the material,” explained Gerlikhan. “In addition to the raw materials sourced through the separate waste collection system, we anticipate obtaining input material through the PET bottle deposit system once it is implemented. As we prepare to expand our capacities, we will also process materials from outside Türkiye if necessary.”
Doğapet aims to supply high-quality bottle-grade rPET to leading global beverage and water companies across significant market sectors.
“We have strategically invested at a crucial moment to provide eco-friendly solutions that address evolving needs in Türkiye,” remarked Selçuk Gerlikhan. “The demand for recycled, bottle-grade raw materials in Türkiye is substantial and is expected to rise in neighboring countries, particularly within the European Union. This is in response to the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive set to take effect in 2025. At Doğapet, we have strong aspirations for our PET bottle-to-bottle recycling project and aim to continue investing in this area in accordance with market trends.”
About Doğa
Founded in 1968, Doğa—meaning “Nature”—is committed to sustainability and operates across several diversified sectors, including construction and real estate, renewable energy, textiles, and defense. In 2023, the establishment of Doğapet marked the corporation’s expansion into PET recycling, further diversifying its robust portfolio.
For further details, please visit www.dogapet.com.tr/en/
