We interviewed Ayşe Yılmaz from Turkey. Ayşe is the CEO at Ottan. Ottan is a green-tech company that develops circular materials to build the sustainable and delightful interiors of the future. They reduce resource consumption by upcycling food waste such as shells, dregs, and peels into building materials while bringing the colors and textures of nature indoors.
Ottan was on of the selected companies to join the Demo Days in May 2022 in Dubai. And was one of the two winners in the category “Sustainability Innovations”.
1) Your company was selected out of 210+ applications. What has the Emaar Innovation Challenge meant for you company?
Of course, It feels wonderful that we’ve been chosen from among 200+ applications, including thousand-years old companies. Our innovative solution, that we’ve developed for the good of the environment and the society, is selected and rewarded as the winner by the industry leader of the world, Emaar. It’s an unequalled motivation...
2) How were the 5 demo days for you in Dubai?
It was an unforgettable experience, meeting with people from all over the world, to come together with Emaar's professional team and to talk about innovation and the future together.
3) Can you tell about the work you are now doing with Emaar?
We’re going to produce an object that Emaar Turkey team designed for the shopping mall with Ottan materials and we will start by promoting it.
4) How is it to work together with one of the largest developers of the world?
First of all, this is a great opportunity that is pretty rare to happen. On the other hand, although we are working with one of the biggest developers in the world, it is a very comfortable and enjoyable process thanks to the professionalism and sincerity of the Emaar Dubai team.