Industry Speakers

The sustainability of electric vehicles (EVs) is often highlighted in discussions of decarbonized mobility, yet a critical dimension lies in the recyclability of their core components. While EVs eliminate tailpipe emissions, their environmental footprint remains strongly linked to the production and end-of-life management of lithium-ion batteries. Current manufacturing processes rely heavily on finite and geopolitically sensitive resources such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The extraction of these materials not only generates substantial carbon emissions but also raises ethical concerns regarding labor practices and environmental degradation. A growing body of academic research (e.g., Gaines, 2018; Harper et al., 2019; Xu et al., 2020) emphasizes that without robust recycling strategies, EV adoption could merely shift sustainability challenges from fossil fuel dependency to mineral resource scarcity. Despite recent advances in hydrometallurgical and direct recycling methods, large-scale, cost-efficient solutions remain limited, and recycling rates are still far below the levels required for a circular economy. This abstract argues that the myth-versus-reality debate on EV sustainability hinges on whether technological innovation and policy frameworks can close the recycling gap. Ultimately, the future of EVs as a sustainable alternative depends not only on renewable-powered mobility but equally on how effectively the industry addresses the recycling of its materials.

Okan ÖZKAN is a CTO / R&D Director / ISO:27001 Lead Auditor with over 20 years of experience in software development, project management, and innovation. He works at myTECHNIC MRO Technical Services, where he leads the ICT and R&D department and oversees various projects and activities related to software development, vendor management, performance reporting, and cost-benefit analysis. He has implemented web based in-house developed A/C maintenance management software and completed TUBITAK-TEYDEB funded projects. He also certified myTECHNIC as an R&D Center in 2018. The sustainability of electric vehicles (EVs) is often highlighted in discussions of decarbonized mobility, yet a critical dimension lies in the recyclability of their core components. While EVs eliminate tailpipe emissions, their environmental footprint remains strongly linked to the production and end-of-life management of lithium-ion batteries. Current manufacturing processes rely heavily on finite and geopolitically sensitive resources such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The extraction of these materials not only generates substantial carbon emissions but also raises ethical concerns regarding labor practices and environmental degradation. A growing body of academic research (e.g., Gaines, 2018; Harper et al., 2019; Xu et al., 2020) emphasizes that without robust recycling strategies, EV adoption could merely shift sustainability challenges from fossil fuel dependency to mineral resource scarcity. Despite recent advances in hydrometallurgical and direct recycling methods, large-scale, cost-efficient solutions remain limited, and recycling rates are still far below the levels required for a circular economy. This abstract argues that the myth-versus-reality debate on EV sustainability hinges on whether technological innovation and policy frameworks can close the recycling gap. Ultimately, the future of EVs as a sustainable alternative depends not only on renewable-powered mobility but equally on how effectively the industry addresses the recycling of its materials.
Before myTECHNIC, he worked as an IT Manager at Group SAGUN, where he planned and realized group companies and factories wide area VPN and WEB based software network. He also worked as a Network & Software Manager at MNG Kargo A.Ş., where he designed and improved Cargo monitoring software and managed infrastructures. He also worked as a Software Engineer at KALEDATA Group, where he analyzed and designed KALE-ERP software’s MRP module. He also worked as a Project Researcher and an Assistant Operator and Network Administrator at Eastern Mediterranean University, where he designed and installed campus wide magnetic stripe card-based security system and trained microprocessors classes as an assistant.
While doing his master’s degree in computer engineering at Haliç University, he worked on artificial intelligence. He also holds a BS in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Eastern Mediterranean University, where he wrote his thesis on magnetic card based high security safe. He also holds a BA in business administration and a pre-bachelor’s degree in justice from Anadolu University. He is fluent in English and has very good computer skills in various programming languages, ERPs, databases, and software.
He is President of R&D Centers Communication Platform (ARGEMIP), a board member of Information Technology Association (BiTekDer), a member of Foreign Economic Relations Board, Innovative Technologies Section (DEIK), an advisory board member of Halic University and Eskisehir Technical University, a member of The Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO), and a member of Informatics Association of Turkey (TBD). He is interested in scuba diving, sailing, golf, woodworking, and model making.

1- Robotic Systems
2- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
3- Innovation Management