5th Process Safety Symposium Draws Strong Interest

The 5th Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition, organized in cooperation between Kocaeli Chamber of Industry and Chem Media, concluded with strong attendance and audience participation, bringing together the latest developments and innovative approaches in process safety.

The event, held in Kocaeli on 8-9 October 2024, brought together national and international experts, academics and industry professionals.

Within the scope of the event, alongside important topics such as SEVESO III Directive, Tanks Used in Industry, Pressurized Equipment and Pipelines, forward-looking subjects such as the Impact of Digital Twin Applications on Process Safety were addressed. The symposium brought critical solutions for hazardous materials management in industrial processes and prevention of major accidents to the fore, while also highlighting the effects of digital transformation on process safety.

The symposium, which began with remarks from Process Safety Symposium Organization Board Chair and DYO Construction Paints Technical Plant Director Hasan Şerefhan, Chemical Media Publishing General Manager Cengiz Yaman, Kocaeli Information Technology Valley General Manager Erkam Tüzgen and Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Management Board Chair Ayhan Zeytinoğlu, drew attention with the keynote address by SAP Turkey General Manager Uğur Candan on "The Role of Technology in Process Safety and Its Adaptation in Industry."

In the 1st Panel of the event, moderated by Doç. Dr. Serkan Girgin, Teaching Member of Twente University Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation Large-Scale Geospatial Data Science Expertise Center, a session was held on "Artificial Intelligence Applications in Process Safety and Best Practice Examples Worldwide." The panel featured prominent speakers including EMEA Director Dr. Tekin Kunt from PSRG Inc., BASF Global EHS Manager Ömür Vural Taşdemir and Dubai Implementation Sales Manager Ramees Musthafa from HIMA Middle East.

The afternoon 1st Session was held under the moderation of Management and Technology Consultant Ahmet İlker Can. In this session, "Important Work and Best Practice Examples Carried Out in Turkish Industry for Process Safety" were discussed. Poliport Kimya Health Safety and Environment Manager Tuba Demir spoke on "Performance Monitoring in Process Safety," while Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) Senior Operations Support Engineer Mehmet Ali Canpolat shared his experience on "Pipeline Monitoring Systems." SOCAR Process Safety Chief Engineer Hande Ekmekçioğlu participated with a presentation on "Barrier Approach in Process Safety Applications." Cargill Food Solutions Meta Maintenance, Reliability and Auxiliary Operations Manager Hasan Ali Ölmez provided information on "Maintenance Program Setup and Increasing Asset Availability." TUPRAS Izmit Refinery Emergency Response Manager Aytuğ Ayhan contributed to the event with a presentation titled "Strategic Approaches in Our Process Safety Roadmap."

The symposium's second day began with Prof. Dr. Naci Görür

The second and final day of the 5th Process Safety Symposium began with a presentation by Prof. Dr. Naci Görür, Member of the Academy of Sciences and keynote speaker, on "The Marmara Earthquake and the Business World."   Naci Görür addressed the geological structure of the Marmara Region and the potential effects of the expected major earthquake using scientific data, offering important warnings to the business world. Emphasizing that the earthquake would not be limited to physical destruction but could also seriously disrupt economic and industrial activities, Prof. Görür also provided recommendations on how businesses could prepare during this period and what measures should be taken.

Prof. Görür's scientific approach and specific recommendations for the business world were among the notable moments of the symposium. During the presentation, participants asked questions about possible scenarios and post-earthquake crisis management, creating an opportunity to discuss the topic more in depth.

The 2nd Panel in the organization began with the topic "How Should Business Recovery Scenarios Look Following Natural Disasters? What Needs to Be Done?" The panel was moderated by Earthquake Expert and Kocaeli University Teaching Member Prof. Dr. Şerif Barış. Speakers at the panel included Gaziantep Chamber of Industry Management Board Chair Adnan Ünverdi, SASA Polyester Sustainability, OHS and Environment Manager Ayten Döğer, Toros Agriculture General Manager Ahmet Eren and Kocaeli Chamber of Industry, İKV and Zeytinoğlu Feed Management Board Chair Ayhan Zeytinoğlu.

In the afternoon 2nd Session, FUTE Chemical Materials General Manager Fuat Biçici held the moderator's chair. In the session addressing "Problems Encountered by Businesses in Process Safety Applications and Solution Methods," presentations were made by Özlem Academy General Manager Özlem Özdilek İslamoğlu on "Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Engineering Application Example - Determination of Corrosion Damage Mechanisms under AI-Assisted Seveso - Bekra Scope"; IEP Energy Petroleum Institute Technical Coordinator Nurettin Terzioğlu on "Installation and Design for Explosive Atmospheres / Suitability Assessment of Mechanical Equipment"; Seyir Technical Consulting General Manager Öğr. Gör. Efari Bahçevan on "Process Safety Field Application Problems and Recommendations" and Çukurova Engineering General Manager Sertaç Çoğal on "Required Steps for Process Safety in Facility Investments."

The 5th Process Safety Symposium, with the participation of experts, academics and industry professionals at both national and international levels, addressed in depth the safety risks faced by industrial establishments and the measures to be taken against these risks. While the importance of facilities being prepared for natural disasters such as earthquakes was emphasized once again, the sessions and presentations held served an important function in increasing technical knowledge sharing on process safety and raising awareness in the sector.