Meet the partners: Sun Tekstil

Sun Tekstil, one of Turkey’s leading textile manufacturers, brings a strong industrial and innovation-driven perspective to the BioSusTex project. With a deep commitment to sustainable transformation, Sun Tekstil is contributing both technical expertise and strategic vision to advance circular and bio-based solutions in the textile industry.

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The BioSusTex team at Sun Tekstil is led by Bekir Boyacı, R&D Center Manager, a textile engineer with extensive experience in sustainable textile development and manufacturing. Under his leadership, the team is focusing on the development and industrial application of PFAS-free durable water repellents (DWRs), as well as the reuse of recycled cellulosic fibers in textile production. The development of bio-based water-repellent textiles is coordinated by Ozan Onuktav, who leads the application process design and ensures smooth integration of new formulations. He is supported by Ozan Can Yıldız, who focuses specifically on the properties and performance of DWR chemicals and their applicability in textile finishing. On the fiber innovation side, Dr. Ersin Dobur leads research into the reuse of recycled cellulosic materials, while Zührenur Göktaş contributes to fabric development and product testing.

Sun Tekstil’s participation in BioSusTex is driven by a clear vision: to increase the use of bio-based and renewable materials in one of the most resource-intensive and polluting industries in the world. Through this project, the company seeks to create new collaborations, access cutting-edge technologies, and integrate sustainable innovations rapidly into industrial practice. BioSusTex aligns closely with Sun Tekstil’s broader strategy to accelerate environmental, social, and economic transformation within the textile sector.

A key challenge addressed by Sun Tekstil within BioSusTex is the limited knowledge and performance constraints related to applying bio-based PFAS-free DWRs on textiles. Competing with existing formulations in terms of durability and functionality is a known hurdle. However, the R&D Center’s strong expertise and long-standing experience in textile process development positions the company to overcome these barriers.

Beyond BioSusTex, Sun Tekstil is actively shaping the future of sustainable textile innovation. The company supports start-ups developing natural dyeing and waterless dyeing technologies, and is an investor in AI-driven fashion design platforms using generative AI. Sun Tekstil also develops fabrics and garments based on eco-design principles, using recycled and recyclable materials to promote circularity. Furthermore, the company collaborates with universities and research institutions to scale academic innovations into viable industrial applications.

The work within BioSusTex aligns seamlessly with Sun Tekstil’s strategic pillars: sustainable material transformation, sustainable process development and digital transformation. The project supports the company’s transition to bio-based inputs and enhances resource efficiency and traceability through digitalization.

Sun Tekstil also brings strong prior experience to the table, having previously introduced collections based on recycled cellulosic fibers, as well as innovative use of biodegradable PLA and hemp fibers in apparel. The company is currently involved in other Horizon Europe projects focused on bio-based effect chemicals, chemical recycling, and reuse of polyester, further strengthening its position as a sustainability leader in the textile sector.

What excites Sun Tekstil most about participating in BioSusTex is the opportunity to build strong, cross-disciplinary collaborations with leading experts. The exchange of ideas and creation of joint research activities within the consortium fosters a dynamic innovation ecosystem, one where ambitious ideas are transformed into impactful, real-world solutions for a more sustainable textile future.