16.05.2026

A factory has opened in Istanbul. But this story began much earlier—in a laboratory. ANT Systems—the homegrown nanotechnology venture developed under Inovent Inc.—officially inaugurated its industrial-scale production facility with an annual capacity of 3,000 tons on May 16, 2026, powered by NANOTERN, the result of 15 years of research at Sabancı University. NANOTERN is a biodegradable nanomaterial capable of retaining 1,800 times its own weight in water while providing controlled release into the soil. It reduces agricultural irrigation water consumption by up to 50% and increases crop yields by up to 25%. Today, it is being used across Türkiye, the United States, South America, the Gulf region, and Africa, with the global rights to its patent portfolio held in Türkiye. The opening ceremony was attended by Güler Sabancı, Founding Chair of the Board of Trustees of Sabancı University; Prof. Dr. Yusuf Leblebici, President of Sabancı University; Ahmet Antalyalı, President of TKDK; and Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci, Chair of the Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. During the ceremony, CEO Can Yurdakul said: "We have built a system that doesn't simply use water—it manages it. Agriculture accounts for 70% of the world's freshwater consumption. The challenge is no longer producing more, but producing smarter with limited resources." CTO Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Menceloğlu described the essence of the technology: "You can achieve more effective results with less material. That's what makes it nano." From academia to industry. From the laboratory to global markets. This is where that journey stands today. 🌱 Congratulations, ANT Systems!