MAT Filtration Technologies, a manufacturer of high-efficiency water filtration equipment and provider of engineering services, is connecting innovation with commercial alignment through the strategic focus of its R&D department.
The company has been developing products and launching technologies into the global aquarium and aquaculture sectors since 2014. It has experienced rapid growth as the result of cutting-edge solutions and its commitment to delivering high-quality, scientifically grounded and sustainable products tailored to each project’s needs.
Sercin Basut, R&D director, says: “We follow a methodological screening process, where applicable technologies are examined for their novelty, practicality, and patent potential.
“This allows us to capture intellectual property, secure competitive positioning, and contribute to global knowledge in sustainable water and aquaculture technologies.”
MAT strives to be recognised for its focus on sustainability, helping ecosystems thrive through the use of high-quality, recyclable materials and environmentally responsible designs.
This is a team effort that works closely with academic insights and guidance, bringing internally developed technological and efficient solutions to real-life.
Academic rigour & real-world innovation
At MAT’s facilities, the research and technology hub is a place where solutions are tested and refined daily. A model aquarium, equipped with MAT technology, operates in-house for ongoing monitoring, experimentation, and demonstrations for visitors. The facility also cultivates fish and other marine species to ensure that systems perform effectively in real-world conditions.
The R&D team comprises mechanical engineers, physicists, and chemists, collaborating across disciplines on projects that involve mathematical modelling, bio-load analysis, and system optimisation. Physicists and mechanical engineers contribute to mathematical models of equipment and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) flow simulations.
At the same time, chemists assess chemical interactions and material compatibility, particularly for ozonation and water quality processes. Bio-load estimation and nutrient-loading calculations in biofiltration systems are handled jointly by chemists and physicists, enabling predictive control over biological reactor performance.
This cross-functional work feeds directly into production, quality assurance, and commercial strategies.
Collaboration with academic organisations is also key. MAT works closely with local universities and scientific researchers, analysing concepts, market needs, and project proposals from both the commercial and academic spheres. Research is conducted in both MAT’s laboratories and partner university facilities, allowing teams to combine theoretical study with practical, real-world testing.
Unlike companies that focus on post-market testing, MAT integrates real-time experimentation, model aquariums, and interdisciplinary academic partnerships before products ever reach customers. This approach ensures that performance and sustainability are built into the product from the start.
In 2021, Dr. Manolya Akdemir joined MAT as an R&D chief and is now an R&D manager. With a Master’s and PhD in Energy and Power Control System Engineering, her expertise lies in sustainable system design for energy, water, and CO₂ reduction.
“Joining MAT has allowed me to bring academic depth into a real-world innovation ecosystem, where science is not just a background tool, but the core engine for product development and environmental impact“, says Akdemir.
Sustainable, scalable approaches
MAT’s R&D team develops advanced environmental systems using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and mathematical modelling, creating products such as gas-degasification towers, MBBR biofilters, and dielectric-barrier discharge ozone generators. Each design undergoes experimental verification to ensure it meets real-world operational demands while saving water, energy, and extending mechanical longevity.
Academic partnerships allow MAT to participate in external research projects, expand innovation pipelines, and enhance testing and validation processes beyond in-house capabilities.
For example, an active project funded by TÃœBÄ°TAK focuses on the design, modelling, and prototyping of a degasification system for recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and aquariums. Using CFD and Discrete Element Methods (DEM), the system is engineered to maximise gas-liquid separation while minimising energy use, critical for removing excess COâ‚‚, which can harm fish health and efficiency.
“We employ tools like ANSYS Fluent and RockyDEM to simulate multiphase flow within the stripping column. After numerical optimization, we move to physical prototyping and experimental verification. This dual process ensures that theoretical performance matches real-world results,” Akdemir says.
“What sets this apart globally is its scalability and its contribution to sustainable aquaculture, reducing water exchange, stabilizing gas concentrations, and improving fish welfare.”
From concept to marketable technology
Several equipment tests are currently underway at MAT, including degasification systems for COâ‚‚ removal, compact photobioreactors for microalgae cultivation, next-generation ozone generators for chemical-free water disinfection, and the MBBR1000 biofiltration system, which is undergoing both laboratory-scale and final prototype testing.
MAT’s strategy also extends to publishing research and collaborating with academia, with every product undergoing rigorous computational modelling and verification. For the company, transforming theories into marketable technologies is not only about commercial value but also about ensuring environmental responsibility and scientific integrity.
Recent innovations include photobioreactors for COâ‚‚ capture and chemical-free ozone generators. Their systems, like the MBBR1000, are extensively tested and adapted to local climates and regulations, ensuring both performance and environmental integrity.
Serving the industry & the planet
Aquariums and aquaculture represent not only economic and commercial opportunities, but also a responsibility toward conservation, animal welfare, and sustainable resource use.
MAT embraces this responsibility by prioritising market intelligence, regulatory awareness, environmental goals, and scientific opportunities, investing not only in its customers but also in the ecosystems it serves. Its commitment to biodegradable and low-carbon footprint materials ensures that filtration systems for land-based aquaculture facilities and public aquariums are safe for both the environment and society.
Guided by its unique scientific hub, MAT’s long-term vision is to grow scientifically, commercially, and environmentally, ensuring that innovation in aquaculture, aquarium and zoo systems benefits both the industry and the planet.
Recently, MAT shared insights into the vital role that aquariums can play when it comes to conservation. Committed to marine life, the company has spent more than the past 10 years developing sustainable and technological solutions, delivering projects for some of the world’s leading aquariums and facilities.
