Impact Makers: Eylül Er

NAME

Eylül Er

TITLE

Founder & CEO, Palgae

LOCATION

Türkiye

ABOUT

Eylül Er is the Founder and CEO of Palgae, a climate technology initiative that transforms algae biomass into biodegradable biopolymers used in packaging and agricultural applications. Türkiye’s packaging and agricultural sectors relied almost entirely on petroleum-based plastics, producing more than 2.5 million tons of waste annually, with less than 10 per cent recycled and significant microplastic accumulation in soil.

MOTIVATION

“What drives my passion is the belief that science and nature can coexist to heal, not harm. I've always been interested in how algae, Earth's first oxygen producers, keep life going and hold the key to fixing the damage done by fossil fuel companies. I saw personally how plastic pollution and dirty water hurt ecosystems and communities when I grew up near the coast. This made me determined to turn trash into growth.

Entrepreneurship, a place where ideas can become real solutions, became my way of living out that view. Building Palgae lets me use my knowledge of bioengineering and environmental science along with my desire to be artistic to make materials that not only break down naturally but also help the earth and its creatures. Every step we take to replace one ton of plastic made from oil with plastic made from algae feels like a small but long-lasting act of climate justice.”

IMPACT

• Developed algae-based biopolymers that replace petroleum plastics in packaging and agriculture.

• Materials biodegrade within around 250 days and enrich soil with nitrogen and carbon.

• Reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 87 per cent and water use by 60 per cent compared to conventional plastics.

• Replaces one ton of LDPE with one ton of Palgae material, avoiding 13 tons of CO₂ emissions and saving 6,000 litres of water.

• Created a biocomposite pencil material with Faber-Castell that lowers carbon emissions by 33 per cent per pencil.

• Demonstrated full compatibility with existing industrial machinery.

• Addresses soil degradation and yield loss caused by conventional mulch films.

ADVICE

“Your role in the planet is not the main one; you're more like a choir member. You stop feeling empty as soon as you care about your street, your sea, and your land. That is the beginning of effect. Start out small. One beach washed, one habit was changed, and one provider was pushed to do better. When you ship a messy sample, you can learn quickly and make changes more often. Science should guide you, and society should power you. Listen to more than just your own voice. Hear what the fish, farms, kids, and wind across the field are saying.

Pick us over me. Together, you can win. Share the praise. Find out what really counts (like carbon, water, and respect), and then be honest when you tell the story. Use facts to fight greenwashing and set limits and take breaks to prevent stress. When you deal with problems, be tough, but not with people. Stick to your goal, but be open to different ways to get there. Don't forget that the world doesn't need only leaders, it needs good ancestors. Your home will come to you when you show up for it. The day you understand your life is made up of hands, rivers, cities, forests, and people you'll never meet is the day you become whole. Go fix your rebellion.”

CONTACT

LinkedIn