Two International Awards for Sunar NP
Sunar NP, the youngest R&D-focused company of the Sunar Group of Companies, has received two awards at the “International Business Awards,” considered among the world’s most prestigious business honors. Providing solutions to petroleum-based plastics by producing biodegradable polymers from starch, Sunar NP won a silver medal in “Product Innovation” and a gold medal in the “Chemical Company of the Year” category.
Established six years ago with the goal of high-value-added production by the Sunar Group of Companies—which has completed 45 years in the agricultural industry and 35 years in corn starch production—Sunar NP secured two awards within the scope of the “International Business Awards” (Stevie Awards). As the first producer of thermoplastic starch and biopolymers in Turkey from corn, a completely natural product, Sunar NP received its first international award for the 2015 TÜBİTAK-supported project, “Development of Thermoplastic Starch-Based Ecological Raw Materials.”
An Investment with an Annual Capacity of 3,000 Tons
Hasan A. Özkan, CEO of Sunar Group of Companies, stated that these awards presented to Turkey by Sunar NP—which began production of thermoplastic starch and biopolymers following long-term R&D, market, and know-how research—are highly significant. He noted: “We are happy to see the results of our innovative product studies, which we increased within the framework of President Erdoğan’s emphasis on ‘Local’ and ‘National’ production. Despite the pandemic process, we established our infrastructure to meet nearly all needs with our own R&D personnel, academics, and employees, and we are pleased to have realized our investment in producing biopolymers from starch. With this investment, we have become a solution partner for plastic manufacturers in Turkey and Europe regarding raw materials that are friendly to humans, the environment, and biodiversity.”
Özkan pointed out that this investment, a first in Turkey, aligns perfectly with the “Zero Waste” project carried out under the leadership of Mrs. Emine Erdoğan and the initiative of the Presidency and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. “Our R&D Center, approved by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, continues its work without interruption. Our consultations with institutions regarding the areas where our products can be used, especially in fast-moving consumer goods, are ongoing. I believe our TUV-certified thermoplastic starch and biopolymers will bring a fresh breath to the plastics sector in our country,” he added.
Usage Areas of Sunar NP Products
The decomposition of petroleum-based plastics in nature takes centuries at best. The thermoplastic starch and biopolymers produced by Sunar NP, sourced from the corn plant, can fully decompose in nature within 180 days without leaving a toxic effect. These materials, which can turn into compost fertilizer, are used in the production of shopping bags, garbage bags, other single-use packaging bags, disposable kitchenware, toys, cotton swabs, fast-moving consumer goods packaging, and mulch film sectors without compromising product performance. They serve as a substitute to reduce the use of petroleum-based raw materials. In November 2019, Sunar NP became a member of the Business World Plastics Initiative—formed by the Business Council for Sustainable Development Turkey, TÜSİAD, and Global Compact member companies—and became a signatory of the declaration of intent regarding the reduction of plastic waste in 2021.
