Petrol Ofisi Group, leader of Turkey's fuel oil industry, hosted a media tour for leading media organizations in its plant in Derince, Kocaeli, which serves as the production base for the mineral oils and chemicals market leading historically. During the media visit hosted by Petrol Ofisi Group Mineral Oils Director Sezgin Gürsu, the Petrol Ofisi Technology Center (POTEM), located in the plant, also enjoyed the attention as the most advanced center in Turkey and the broader region. As part of the media tour held for the press members of the Automotive and Energy sectors, Maxima Hybrid 0W-20 engine oil developed by POTEM for hybrid vehicles was launched, and visitors were informed on the Petrol Ofisi Hydro Tech HVI-E, the next-generation energy-saving hydraulic system oil.
Petrol Ofisi Lubricants contribute greatly to Turkey's production, industry, and economy.
Petrol Ofisi Lubricants Director Sezgin Gürsu emphasized the traditional leadership of Petrol Ofisi in the Turkish mineral oils and chemicals market in which it has been operating since its establishment in 1941:
“According to the Petroleum Industry Association (PETDER) data, Petrol Ofisi Mineral Oils has maintained its leading position attained in 2010 in the mineral oils and chemicals market in a row until 2017, marking its 8-year leadership with a market share of 24.9%. Petrol Ofisi Group produces mineral oils and grease in this high-tech Derince plant with an annual production of 140,000 tons and a total storage capacity of 65,000 tons, including 15,000 tons of finished products and 50,000 tons of raw materials / semi-finished products. They are sold through a widespread network of 16,000 points across Turkey. In 2017, we produced more than 122,000 tons in our plant and exported more than 10,000 tons to 33 countries on four continents. Petrol Ofisi Mineral Oils production facility is the most advanced center which can offer solutions to the diverse mineral oil needs in Turkey, notably in the automotive industry, with more than 350 different products. With the wide variety of high-tech products we develop and produce here, Petrol Ofisi Group also contributes significantly to production, industry, and economy in the field of oils."
POTEM is one of the most advanced technology centers globally
Sezgin Gürsu underlined that this important achievement by Petrol Ofisi Mineral Oils owed much to Petrol Ofisi Technology Center (POTEM), positioned as the most important center not only in Turkey but also in a vast geography, and said: “POTEM is located in the Petrol Ofisi Mineral Oils production plant with an indoor area of 1,000 m² and an investment value of $6 million. It operates with hi-tech machinery, expert staff, unique know-how, and experience of 77 years, and undertakes R&D efforts. In POTEM, a total of 155 tests can be carried out using national and international methods, 83 of which are accredited by TÜRKAK (Turkish Accreditation Agency). In our center, we conduct an average of 150,000 tests annually. Petrol Ofisi Group Technology Center (POTEM) does not only serve Petrol Ofisi Group with its advanced technology and accredited capabilities. We also offer R&D, quality control, and analysis services to public institutions as well as many domestic and foreign companies, including the world’s giants. Therefore, POTEM is one of the most advanced technology centers in the international mineral oils industry.”
We offer solutions that are compatible with all common vehicle brands and models in Turkey.
Drawing attention to the development in automotive technologies and the diversity of vehicles in the world, Petrol Ofisi Lubricants Director Sezgin Gürsu said, "There are approximately 35,000 different specifications in the world when the OEM and international engine oil specifications are taken into account. Turkey's age average is quite high, and the parking needs of millions of vehicles are no less than this. As Petrol Ofisi Group, we aim to meet almost all the market needs with our product portfolio, all of which are developed at POTEM in Turkey and produced in this facility. We offer rich solution options compatible with each vehicle brand and model."
Simultaneous development in engine lubricants supports automotive technologies.
Sezgin Gürsu mentioned that global environmental and economic factors are now a priority for all industries, acting as the driving force in advancing automotive and lubricants industries and triggering technology: “Emission is a threat for the whole world, and the automotive industry comes to the fore as a universal field in which everyone expresses opinions. For this reason, the first sector and its stakeholders, including ourselves, face the impacts of regulations. Looking at the progress in engine lubricants driven by exhaust emission norms, engine technologies, and fuel efficiency, we switched from 20W–50 in the 1970s to 10W–40s in the 1990s and 5W–30s in the 2000s. Emissions limits are today 96% more strict compared to initial limits. The evolution started with Stop / Start and went on to hybrid vehicles, and we are now working on 0W lubricating oils.” Sezgin Gürsu also emphasized the necessity of simultaneous development and mutual support in automotive technologies and engine lubricants.
We created e-POwer for electric and hybrid vehicles' recharge/range problem.
Petrol Ofisi Mineral Oils Director Sezgin Gürsu said, considering the current trend in emission regulations, it would be impossible to meet the limits only with vehicles featuring internal-combustion engines after 2025, stating that the solution was hybrid and electric vehicles with technologies aiming at ‘zero emission’ to reduce average emissions. Sezgin Gürsu touched upon the support that Petrol Ofisi Group, as the fuel industry leader, provides to the development of electric and hybrid vehicles in Turkey: “In line with sustainable environmental policies, electric and hybrid vehicles are the right choice for the future, further efforts and improvement are required in this field. To ensure improvement, supporting their widespread use is vital. If the supply network is not set up, these vehicles will not become widespread because of their limited range. As the traditional leader and pioneer in automotive fuels, we have invested in solving this problem with electric and hybrid vehicles and created e-POwer. This original and unique brand, in all aspects, from design to structure, was developed as a 100% local product. Thanks to e-POwer, electric and hybrid vehicles have been relocated from the pressure gauge and water pump to a prestigious, original, and unique canopy. At the end of 2017, we opened the first e-POwer in our station at the entrance of Osmangazi Bridge. We invested in e-POwer with no commercial returns but with a sense of responsibility inspired by our leadership qualities, increasing the number of terminals to 10 in a year.”
Maxima Hybrid 0W–20, an engine lubricant for hybrid vehicles
Sezgin Gürsu said that Petrol Ofisi extended support with yet another solution as a ‘first in Turkey’ to the lubricants industry in which it is a leader:
Vehicle manufacturers offer solutions with low-consumption hybrid systems supported by electric engines and complex exhaust emission systems. Therefore, it is important to adapt engine lubricant technology to support these hybrid systems and extend their lifespan. Petrol Ofisi Mineral Oils, the traditional leader of the mineral oils and chemicals market, has developed Maxima Hybrid 0W–20 for hybrid vehicles.
Petrol Ofisi Group technology is faster, more protective, and more efficient.
Maxima Hybrid 0W–20, as the outcome of R&D studies carried out in the hi-tech POTEM facilities, boasts advanced technologies that equip it with outstanding qualities. Maxima Hybrid 0W–20 is formulated with low-ash technology compatible with complex exhaust emission systems in hybrids; it responds quickly to the instant lubricating requirement, especially in Start-Stop technology, and maximizes performance by reducing friction losses with low viscosity while providing fuel savings and protecting the engine most effectively. Maxima Hybrid 0W–20 reduces costs thanks to an extended lifespan and contributes to the engine performance without compromising fuel savings. Maxima Hybrid 0W–20 provides fuel savings with 3% lower consumption than standard engine lubricants. The most advanced product developed by POTEM, Maxima Hybrid 0W–20, delivers the highest performance in its segment. Having already kicked off the serial production, we will start, in a month, selling this high-tech product, which provides up to two times faster fluidity, pumpability of up to -40°C, and maximum wear protection in extreme heat and cold with outstanding qualities such as a lubricant film that does not break even at 150°C.
A new generation of energy-saving hydraulic oils from Petrol Ofisi Group
Petrol Ofisi Mineral Oils Director Sezgin Gürsu stated that another hi-tech product developed by POTEM was the energy-saving hydraulic oil Hydro Tech HVI-E: “One of the most important production inputs of the industry is undoubtedly energy costs. However, hydraulic oils, with a wide range of usage areas from the simplest jack to the complex industrial machines, constitute the most consumed oil class in the industry. Petrol Ofisi Group, as the market leader, produces and offers more than 18 million liters of hydraulic oil annually to the industry. We have developed a very special product, working on two specialty areas of ours: energy and lubricating oils. According to the results of real sector tests we have conducted with significant manufacturers in different fields of Turkey, the next-generation Petrol Ofisi Hydro Tech HVI-E offers substantial advantages compared to conventional hydraulic oils. The next-generation hydraulic oil, enjoying a lifespan much longer than its counterparts, reduces operational costs and increases the efficiency of hydraulic pumps.
The next-generation hydraulic oil of Petrol Ofisi Group provides significant energy savings. Our product offers up to 10% energy savings in next-generation high-efficiency hydraulic pumps. In some usage areas, savings exceed 10%. The new-generation hydraulic oil from Petrol Ofisi will be pioneering Turkey for a new era.
