Biorefinery is the name given to the sustainable transformation of biomass into various products (food, feed, materials, chemicals, etc.) and energy (fuel, power and heat). Although a concept that has been known for a long time, it has gained more global attention due to the negative effects of fossil-based and non-renewable resources on the environment and the economy and the increasing importance given to a more sustainable development.

The international market share of biorefineries is expected to increase rapidly in the near future, with benefits such as creating new business opportunities, reducing production costs and waste, positive environmental changes due to the effective recycling of biomaterials and reduction of greenhouse gases.

With the Integrated Biorefinery Concept Project for Bioeconomic Focused Development, we will contribute to the economy and sustainable development goals of our country in the fields of food, agriculture, animal husbandry, aquaculture and environment, as well as energy and health fields, which are the items that create the most foreign trade deficit in our country.

The research center (İMBİYOTAB), which operates within Boğaziçi University and specializes in algae biotechnology, will be transformed into a center of excellence, allowing it to produce economically feasible bio-based products that are compatible with sustainable environmental understanding. In this context, it is aimed to improve product diversity and competitiveness by providing support to SMEs in the sector in areas such as R&D and project development.

Algae have a very important place in bioeconomic terms due to their effective photosynthesis properties and carbon dioxide holding capacity, the lack of fertile agricultural land for production, and the lack of production competition with food seeds. With this project, which will produce products obtained from marine and freshwater algae species and establish Europe's first and only carbon negative biorefinery, it is aimed to ensure food and energy security. In addition to these products, animal feeds and bio-fertilizers will also be produced.

In addition to supporting SMEs operating in related fields, this project aims to contribute to the realization of production with high added value and positive environmental impact by sharing the information produced with other universities, public institutions and non-profit organizations, and supporting a sustainable development based on bioeconomy.

Within the scope of the INDEPEDENT project, which continues its R&D activities under the umbrella of the European Union Green Agreement, interaction with four SMEs has already started, a techno-enterprise firm has been established, employment has been created and domestic pool systems production has started.