Hazelnut Shell Project from Ordu

Hazelnut Shell Project from Ordu Ordu Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Güler is implementing new projects that will utilize both the capsule and shell of hazelnuts while adding value to the economy. Under Mayor Güler's leadership, Ordu Metropolitan Municipality, which manufactures machinery that produces animal feed from hazelnut capsules, is establishing a facility for activated carbon production from hazelnut shells. Through these efforts, hazelnut capsule and shell will become a separate source of income for producers. Mayor Güler, who launched the Kybele brand by signing off on chocolate production from hazelnuts, has now put his signature on two important initiatives to ensure that hazelnut capsules and shells become products that provide economic benefits to producers. Accordingly, the first step has been taken to produce activated carbon from hazelnut shells, which serve as a raw material for many industries. Under Mayor Güler's leadership, Ordu Metropolitan Municipality, which manufactures machinery for producing animal feed from hazelnut capsules, has taken the first step toward activated carbon production from hazelnut shells. Through this work, hazelnut shells will become a separate income stream for producers.

Production facility under construction

As a result of studies conducted by ORTAR A.Ş., a subsidiary of Ordu Metropolitan Municipality, the decision has been made to establish an Activated Carbon Production Facility within the Efirli Settlement to produce activated carbon from hazelnut shells. The facility will include hazelnut shell storage, activated carbon storage, carbon production area, changing and rest rooms, shower facilities, cafeteria, medical clinic, occupational safety office, consultation room, prayer room and security office. Energy production will also take place at the facility. Ordu Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Mehmet Hilmi Güler stated that they want to increase Ordu's income through hazelnut products with high added value. Mayor Güler noted that approximately half of the hazelnuts produced annually consist of shells. Güler said: "Roughly half of the annual hazelnut production is hazelnut shell. Shells are used in the Black Sea region to generate energy through burning, but we thought: can we convert them into products with higher added value? We produced animal feed from hazelnut capsules. We observed that the resulting product is more valuable than straw in terms of protein and energy content. Feed represents 70 percent of production costs, and in the first phase, we aim to contribute TRY 150 million to Ordu's economy through rough feed produced from hazelnut capsules as an alternative."

Raw material for many industries

Noting that they will produce activated carbon for this purpose, Mayor Güler continued: "Activated carbon has strong surface chemistry and is used in water, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries, and even in the nuclear sector. I had conducted previous studies and thought: let us produce activated carbon from hazelnut shells. In this regard, we experimentally produced activated carbon from hazelnut shells and sent them to different university laboratories and TÜBİTAK. When the results we obtained were successful, we decided to establish a facility here and bring it to our province and country's economy. In this way, as an export item, we will both prevent imports and promote exports, ensuring that hazelnuts are utilized here. In this respect, we will achieve multiple objectives with one action. Through our previous efforts, Ordu is transitioning into a province that emphasizes both activated carbon, bentonite, and boron-related chemicals. This place will also become a province conducting sample studies for high value-added end products."