Koç University Opens Hydrogen Technologies Centre

Koç University has taken an important step in the fight against climate change with the opening of the Koç University Hydrogen Technologies Centre (KUHyTech). Designed to function as a centre of activities relating to green hydrogen production, storage, transportation and commercialization, KUHyTech will set a new example as to how university-industry partnerships create added value for society.

Koç University has taken an important step that will strengthen Turkey’s competitive position in the green energy transformation and contribute to the nation’s goal of achieving net-zero emission by 2053. The Koç University Hydrogen Technologies Centre (KUHyTech) has initiated activities within the university structure and with the participation and contributions of Koç Group companies.

Founded with contributions from Group companies Aygaz, Ford Otosan, Opet, Otokar, and Tüpraş, the Koç University Hydrogen Technologies Centre will support the commercialization of green hydrogen, including its production, storage, transportation and usage. Focal points of the Centre will include hydrogen production from water, transition to next-generation trucks and new fuel cells, and development of technologies such as pressurized tanks for hydrogen transportation. With its aim of becoming an important centre of excellence at both the national and international levels, KUHyTech will be the address for innovation in the field of green energy.

Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti: “The Centre’s groundbreaking projects and research will place our university in the role of world leader”
The inclusion of Turkey’s pre-eminent industrial corporations as stakeholders in the centre is taking university-industry partnership to the highest level, according to Koç University Rector Prof. Dr. Metin Sitti. Highlighting the university’s focus on excellence in research, Prof. Dr. Sitti continued: “Global warming is a threat to humanity. The period we are entering poses great challenges for the world. Countries are conducting a variety of activities to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the resulting warming. Hydrogen technology is emerging as an important alternative among the so-called sustainable technologies. For this reason, the activities conducted in the Centre, whose opening we are celebrating today, are very valuable and a source of great pride.” 



Levent Çakıroğlu: “We are striving to do our best in relation to the climate crisis and energy-related solutions.”
In his speech at the opening ceremonies, Koç Holding CEO Levent Çakıroğlu referred to Koç University as one of the greatest contributions that the Vehbi Koç Foundation has made to Turkey. Regarding efforts to mitigate climate change, Çakıroğlu stated: “Along with the risks associated with climate change, the switch to a low-carbon economy offers economic opportunities and the potential for strengthening competitiveness. With this as our starting point, we’re prepared to grab hold of every opportunity we have, particularly vis-à-vis the climate crisis and energy-related solutions. With this goal in mind, we’ve drawn up road maps for several of our companies to make the transition to a low-carbon economy. I believe that Koç University’s Hydrogen Technologies Centre will be a place for developing technologies that will gain us recognition as a leader in this field, and I hope that bringing these technologies to fruition will make this co-operative venture our crowning achievement of 2026, the centennial of the Koç Group’s foundation.”