As one of Türkiye’s top 500 industrial enterprises and top 400 exporters, Borsan prioritizes the green transformation of the energy sector in its R&D efforts. The Boron-Alloyed Aluminum Solar Cable project, developed by Borsan R&D Center, contributes to making solar energy systems more durable, cost-effective, and accessible while also offering a high-value utilization area for Türkiye’s boron reserves. Borsan R&D Center’s TÜBİTAK-supported Boron-Alloyed Aluminum Solar Cable project attracted significant attention at “Polymers 2024”, the world’s leading international conference in its field.

With 40 years of experience, Borsan is among Türkiye’s top 500 industrial enterprises and a TURQUALITY®-recognized brand. The company exports over $75 million worth of value-added products to more than 80 countries worldwide, ranking among Türkiye’s top 400 exporters. As a leader in R&D and innovation, Borsan integrates sustainability-focused projects into its vision for energy transformation.

At Borsan R&D Center, which operates with a 47-member team and is accredited by Türkiye’s Ministry of Industry and Technology, green transformation is a key focus area. The center’s Boron-Alloyed Aluminum Solar Cable project, supported by the TÜBİTAK 1507 SME R&D Startup Support Program, not only enhances the economic accessibility of solar energy systems but also offers a high-value utilization area for Türkiye’s boron reserves.

Harnessing Türkiye’s Boron Reserves for Sustainable Energy Solutions

Borsan CEO Arbek Akay emphasized the growing significance of renewable energy investments, which reached $1.7 trillion globally in 2023.

“As we move forward rapidly yet steadily toward becoming a global brand, we also prioritize contributing to a livable future and a higher quality of life. The increasing global demand for affordable, accessible, and sustainable energy—driven by trends such as technological advancements, industrialization, and urbanization—highlights the critical role of green transformation in energy production. With our TÜBİTAK-supported Boron-Alloyed Aluminum Solar Cable project, we are leading the global green energy transition. These low-cost, eco-friendly boron-alloyed aluminum solar cables facilitate more economical and accessible solar energy systems, thus expanding global energy access and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Türkiye, with its vast boron reserves, holds a leading position in boron mining and exports. Boron compounds, known for their high resistance to heat and chemicals, are widely used in glass, ceramics, cleaning products, and agriculture. Our R&D Center’s project presents an innovative approach that benefits global energy production, sustainable development, and Türkiye’s economy. By effectively utilizing Türkiye’s rich boron resources, we will continue contributing to environmental and economic sustainability in the energy sector, both locally and globally”, he said.

Global Recognition for Borsan’s R&D Innovations

Borsan’s scientific research team participated in the Polymers 2024 International Conference in Athens, one of the world’s most prestigious events on polymer science and technology innovations. During the conference, the team presented their research paper titled “Boron-Enhanced Aluminum Solar Cables: A Key Path to Accelerating Green Transformation” under the theme “Polymers for a Safe and Sustainable Future”, receiving significant interest. At Borsan R&D Center, research and development activities span multiple fields, including cable and lighting, defense industry, nanotechnology, advanced materials, and AI-based devices.

Solar Energy: The Leading Renewable Energy Source
Balancing energy supply and demand while maximizing the efficiency of renewable energy sources is a top global priority. Solar energy, one of the most widely used renewable energy technologies, is expected to play an even greater role in global electricity production in the future.
Under Türkiye’s 2053 Net Zero Emissions Vision and its National Energy Plan for 2035, solar power is projected to account for 53% of Türkiye’s renewable energy capacity. Additionally, investments in solar energy systems by industrial enterprises in Türkiye are steadily increasing. To accelerate the widespread adoption of solar energy systems, reducing installation costs and minimizing their environmental impact throughout their lifecycle are key priorities.

Enhancing the Accessibility of Aluminum Solar Cables While Unlocking High-Value Uses for Türkiye’s Boron Reserves

The conversion of solar energy into usable power remains more expensive than traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources. Therefore, achieving high efficiency in solar energy systems is critical. Despite declining solar panel prices, rising costs and supply issues of copper conductors and insulation materials have increased solar investment expenses, driving interest in alternative materials. Aluminum conductors, when their cross-sectional area is increased by 15-25%, offer similar mechanical properties to copper cables while being 60% more cost-effective. Additionally, aluminum’s recyclability supports sustainable energy production.

However, plastic materials used in the insulation and sheathing of aluminum solar cables—while offering UV resistance, flexibility, and fire protection—come with high costs, reliance on foreign suppliers, and environmental concerns due to their non-recyclable nature.

Borsan’s Boron-Alloyed Aluminum Solar Cable: A Game-Changer for Sustainability and Efficiency

Borsan R&D Center’s Boron-Alloyed Aluminum Solar Cable project aims to minimize the use of polymer materials and chemical additives by developing boron-enhanced inorganic fillers for cable sheathing, insulation, and filling materials.

This innovative approach:

• Increases the accessibility of solar cables through the use of domestic raw materials,
• Provides a high-value utilization potential for Türkiye’s boron reserves,
• Enhances sustainability by reducing reliance on non-recyclable plastic components,
• Improves cost-effectiveness in solar energy applications.

By pioneering innovative, cost-efficient, and sustainable solutions, Borsan continues to lead the way in the global green energy transition while unlocking the full potential of Türkiye’s boron reserves.

At the Digital Transformation and Benefits in the Cable Industry Summit, held at the MEXT Technology Center as part of the TREX organization, Borsan CEO Arbek Akay delivered a presentation titled “Senior Management Expectations from Digital Transformation”. In his speech, he emphasized that the success of digital transformation is directly linked to the vision of senior management and the corporate culture shift within the company.

For Information

Süheyla İlhan

PRactice Communication Management