Scaling climate action through direct investments
Scaling climate action
By decarbonizing, businesses in Türkiye can future proof their operations. But they need tailored financing and support.
Two recent direct investments in Türkiye demonstrate how we are scaling the Fund’s footprint, expanding its pipeline, and driving deep decarbonization across industries.
We provided a USD 26 million to Sanko Tekstil, one of Türkiye’s largest yarn producers. The company is shifting to recycled inputs and solar-powered manufacturing.
Meanwhile, a USD 18 million investment into A101, the country’s second-largest retail chain, is decarbonizing store operations across 81 cities via a large-scale solar installation.
Purpose of the projects
Türkiye is a cornerstone of GGF’s impact strategy
Türkiye is our largest market and a key testing ground for new forms of green finance. The Fund has played a catalytic role across the country’s financial system, from pioneering the first green bond issuance to building a diverse portfolio across leasing and commercial banks, and direct corporate investments.
The Sanko and A101 deals mark a turning point: a broadening of our direct investment pipeline. This will mean greater emphasis on sector diversification and major energy consumers. We are bringing decarbonization capital directly into the retail sector, while reinforcing GGF’s role in promoting sustainability across Türkiye’s industrial base.
These partnerships are about more than financing growth. They are about transforming how two major companies source energy, use materials and increase their competitiveness in a low-carbon economy.
Use of proceeds
At Sanko Tekstil, we financed the full cost of a 20MW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, worth USD 19 million. We also contributed USD 9 million in partial funding to the construction of a new fibre recycling facility in Gaziantep. With our financing, the company can grow its recycled fibre production from 80,000 to 200,000 tonnes per year, while significantly cutting emissions.
At A101, our ringfenced financing of USD 18 million supports a 30 MW ground-mounted solar plant, which will offset around 10% of the company’s electricity needs. The plant will generate over 53,000 megawatt-hours of green electricity per year—powering stores and warehouses across the country.
Impact of the projects
On-the-ground impact
In Gaziantep, Sanko’s solar-powered, fully integrated textile plant is already shaping the future of fashion supply chains. Waste fibres are being transformed into premium recycled yarns, powering a model of circular production that reduces emissions and meets high European standards.
Across Türkiye’s cities, the solar energy generated through GGF’s financing is helping A101 stores stay lit, refrigerated, and open — all while reducing the company’s carbon footprint. For a company of its size, even incremental changes in energy sourcing could lead to significant environmental gains.
Generating measurable results
Together, the two investments will result in annual reductions of over 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ and savings of more than 124,000 megawatt-hours of primary energy.
At Sanko Tekstil, our investment supports the company’s ambition to generate more than 20% of its energy via solar, produce zero emissions across scope 1 and 2, and achieve 100% recycled or biodegradable raw materials by 2040. Our share of the investment is expected to save 11,049 tonnes of CO₂ and 54,458 MWh of primary energy annually, as well as 42,000 tonnes of materials.
At A101, the renewable energy generated by the GGF-backed solar plant will immediately reduce the company’s dependency on carbon-intensive electricity. Our share of the investment is expected to deliver 14,173 tonnes of CO₂ savings and 69,853 MWh of primary energy savings annually.
About the companies
About the companies
Sanko Tekstil, founded in 1904 and part of the larger Sanko Holding, is the largest yarn producer in Türkiye. Its operations are fully integrated and export-oriented, supplying sustainable yarns and fabrics to major global brands. Already certified for its environmental performance, the company is positioning itself as a global leader in textile recycling and low-carbon manufacturing.
A101, established in 2008, is Türkiye’s second-largest retailer. With more than 13,400 stores and 60 warehouses, it reaches every province in the country and employs over 65,000 people. Known for affordability and accessibility, A101 is now taking serious steps toward embedding sustainability into its business model, starting with energy-efficiency improvements and use of green electricity in its stores.