Hakan Bozcu

ECZACIBAŞI GROUP Founded in 1942, Eczacıbaşı is a major Turkish industrial group with 46 companies, 12,000 employees, and a net turnover of €1.6 billion in 2021. Its core sectors are building products, healthcare, and consumer goods, with additional operations in finance, IT, welding, mining, and property management. ECZACIBAŞI BUILDING PRODUCTS (EBP) The Group’s largest division, EBP operates 14 plants across 4 countries. The main campus in Bozüyük (Turkey) ranks among the world's top ceramic production sites. Annual capacity includes 5 million ceramic sanitaryware units, 37.5 million m² of tiles, 3 million faucets, 350,000 bathtubs and trays, and 370,000 bathroom furniture units. With sales in 75+ countries and over 2,000 sales points, 65% of turnover comes from international markets. The product portfolio includes VitrA, Engers Keramik, Villeroy & Boch Fliesen, and Burgbad. PRODUCT RANGE WC pans, cisterns, washbasins, urinals, shower trays, squatting pans, faucets, flushing mechanisms, bathroom furniture, accessories, and smart systems. INNOVATION Established in 2011 with a €7M investment, the VitrA Innovation Center brings together all R&D activities. It focuses on market- and technology-driven innovation in materials, processes, and smart bathroom technologies, including sensors, IoT, acoustics, water efficiency, and nanotechnology. CORE EXPERTISE Material Science: Functional coatings (antibacterial, hydrophobic, scratch-resistant, etc.), aerogels, composites Mechanical Design & CAE: Design, simulation, and development of sanitaryware and bathroom components Electronic Systems: Smart, touchless, sensor-integrated solutions and IoT applications User Experience (UX): Ergonomics testing and real-life user studies conducted in the UX lab Packaging & Testing: Performance testing and packaging optimization for logistics, strength, and sustainability LABORATORIES: · Smart Connected Technologies Laboratory · NVH - Acoustics of Fluid Mechanics Laboratory · UX- User Experience Laboratory · VR- Experience Simulation Laboratory · 3D Rapid Prototyping and Digitalisation Laboratory · MF-Pilot Production & Testing Laboratory · HL Hygiene Assurance Laboratory · PPV- Product Performance Verification Laboratory · MS-Material and Surface Sciences Laboratory ACHIEVEMENTS (Last 5 Years) 324 patent applications 103 granted patents PROJECTS Conducts ~25 projects/year with a €1.2M annual R&D budget. Successfully completed national (TÜBİTAK) and international (EUREKA, MANUNET, H2020) projects. Selected International Projects: SUSAAN (Horizon Europe): Sustainable antimicrobial and antiviral nanocoatings VIRMAN (EUREKA SMART): Virtual manufacturing plant PIANiSM (ITEA 3): Smart manufacturing with predictive/prescriptive automation NEWCHROM (MANUNET): Eco-friendly decorative chrome alternatives WE\_Smart (EUREKA): Smart faucets to reduce water and energy consumption