Interview: Cemalettin Kanaş

Kartal Kimya takes a significant step towards sustainability by launching the ‘Green Transformation’ project in Hatay to revive nature. Through this project, which many companies and foundations have applied to join later, Kartal Kimya aims to rebuild the ecosystem in the region after the earthquake and meet the agricultural needs of the community.

Selin Çetin
International Trade and Communications Representative
of Kartal Kimya 

Selin Çetin, International Trade and Communications Representative of one of Turkey’s leading feed additive companies, Kartal Kimya, is pioneering an important social responsibility initiative. The project is called ‘Green Transformation’. Launched to protect nature and ensure sustainability in Hatay, this project is being carried out in collaboration with Doğa Ana Kadın Kooperatifi. As part of the project, various vegetable seedlings, trees, and lavender are being planted in container cities, schools, and rehabilitation centers in Hatay to revitalize the region’s ecosystem.

When the earthquake hit on February 6, Çetin, who was abroad for her education, recalls those days: “I was a student in the UK when the earthquake occurred. After hearing the devastating news, I thought about what I could do, and I started collecting donations as a volunteer at the local foundations in the region. With the help we gathered, we set off after 30 days to support the relief efforts in Hatay.” Having personally participated in the efforts in the earthquake zone, Çetin cannot forget the words of the survivors: “We will rise again somehow after the earthquake. But our goal is to leave a beautiful legacy for our children while doing so.”

As part of the Green Transformation project, 19,000 seedlings have been planted in 19 container cities. Many companies and foundations, having heard about this eco-friendly initiative, have competed to support the activities. Çetin expresses that this is a very encouraging development for them and states that they aim to lead many more environmentally friendly projects in the future.

Here are the questions we asked Selin Çetin, International Trade and Communications Representative of Kartal Kimya, and her answers:

Can you tell us about yourself as well as Kartal Kimya’s position in the industry?

I am Selin Çetin, 23 years old, and I serve as the International Trade and Communication Representative at Kartal Kimya. Kartal Kimya is one of the leading companies in Turkey in the fields of animal health and feed additives. Since its establishment, the company has successfully made a name for itself in the industry with its vision, entrepreneurial structure, production capacity, and innovative products. As Kartal Kimya, we have become a significant supplier for both local and international customers since 1985, offering high-quality feed additives and specially prepared solution-oriented products.

AIR POLLUTION NOTICEABLY REDUCED IN HATAY

Could you briefly describe the social responsibility project you recently initiated for our readers? What are the goals and scope of the project?

This project is a social responsibility initiative aimed at protecting nature and ensuring sustainability. It materialized through collaboration between Doğa Ana Kadın Kooperatifi (Mother Nature Women’s Cooperative) and our company, Kartal Kimya. With this project, we aim to re-green Hatay, one of the cities that felt the devastating effects of the earthquake on February 6th last year, and to revitalize its ecosystem. Within the scope of the project, various vegetable seedlings, trees, and lavender have been planted in container cities, schools, and rehabilitation centers throughout Hatay. As a result, air pollution has noticeably decreased, and our company’s carbon footprint has been balanced. Additionally, this project has enabled us to provide fresh vegetables and fruits to our citizens.

EARTHQUAKE IMPACTED ALL FORMS OF LIFE

What are the main reasons for implementing this project? What environmental sustainability goals are you aiming for?

As Kartal Kimya, in line with our philosophy of "make a positive contribution to life," we have always aimed to prioritize sustainability. There are many reasons for this beautiful initiative we have undertaken. After the earthquake, piles of debris led to the accumulation of toxic chemicals in residential areas. This situation poses a threat not only to humans but also to all living beings. Such toxic substances particularly obstruct the nesting areas of loggerhead turtles in rich natural regions like Hatay and seriously pollute the habitats of nearly 600 bird species. Many other animals are negatively affected by this situation as well.

In fact, this is not our first step reflecting our environmental awareness. We are a company that received the 2015 Environmental Facility Award for our sensitivity and investments demonstrated in previous periods. We have always aimed to improve. Our social responsibility project, which we are proud to lead, showcases our commitment and the importance we place on this issue. Another positive aspect of this step is its contribution to balancing our carbon footprint.

19,000 SEEDLINGS DISTRIBUTED ACROSS HATAY

What kind of contributions are you making to the greening efforts within the social responsibility project you mentioned?

We have initiated the Green Transformation Project through our development efforts with Doğa Ana. Along with all these activities, we distributed 19,000 seedlings to 19 container cities in Hatay. Now, many companies and foundations that have heard about this environmentally friendly project want to join our activities. This is a very encouraging development. In fact, this was exactly what we wanted.

While we take pride in being pioneers in this regard as Kartal Kimya, we want to reach out to all companies and institutions from here. Join this project; let’s work hand in hand to revitalize all areas in the earthquake-affected regions by using our collective strength. Let’s provide our citizens, especially our children, with cleaner air to breathe.

WE AIM TO LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY FOR OUR CHILDREN

Does being a part of this project hold a special significance for you? What are the main motivations that led you to this project?

When the earthquake occurred, I was a student in the UK. After hearing the news of the disaster, I thought about what I could do for my country and started volunteering to collect donations for the local foundations. With the aid we collected, we set off to support relief efforts in Hatay after 30 days. When I arrived in the earthquake-affected area, I witnessed the dust everywhere, the rubble piling up in places like Samandağ Beach, and the unhappiness of the citizens living there because of it.

A group photo from the Feed Planet team's visit to Kartal Kimya's headquarters in Gebze.

During my time in Hatay, I can never forget the words of the people I spoke to. They said, “We will somehow recover after the earthquake. Hatay has managed to rise multiple times before. But our goal is to leave a beautiful legacy for our children while we recover.” I wanted to be actively involved in this project and contribute to its development for the sake of leaving that legacy.

"CALLING ON INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES TO JOIN OUR EFFORTS"

What is the core message you want to convey to the community through this project?

We are addressing our industry representatives from here. Let’s be mindful of keeping our environment clean for our future and our children, and let’s work together to reduce air pollution. I invite you to measure your carbon footprints and engage in related projects. Initially, we didn’t plan to publicize this initiative since it is a social responsibility project. However, we realized during the process that if this project could reach a wider audience, it could pave the way for larger and more beautiful endeavors. So let’s take steps towards even better projects together and beautify our country and our world!