Cargill Doubles FR3® Transformer Oil Production Capacity in Türkiye

Cargill has doubled its FR3® natural ester-based transformer oil production capacity with a new production line added to its Dilovası Bioindustrial Facility. The investment aims to meet the growing demand for safe, high-performance and sustainable energy equipment in data centers, renewable energy facilities, battery energy storage systems and other critical infrastructure.

The acceleration of electrification in energy infrastructure, the spread of artificial intelligence applications, the growth of data centers and the increase in renewable energy investments are also raising the performance and reliability requirements of equipment used in electricity grids.

In line with these developments, not only electrical performance but also fire safety, thermal management, equipment life, load flexibility and environmental performance are gaining increasing importance in transformer technologies.

To address these needs, Cargill has doubled its FR3® natural ester-based dielectric transformer oil production capacity at its Dilovası Bioindustrial Facility in Türkiye. With the new production line added to the facility, Cargill aims to serve its customers in both Türkiye and international markets with higher capacity.

FR3® transformer oil offers high temperature and fire safety advantages
Cargill’s FR3® transformer oil is positioned as a natural ester-based, K-class dielectric fluid derived from renewable vegetable oils.

The product contains more than 99 percent bio-based content according to the ASTM D6866 standard. Its flash point of approximately 350-360°C contributes to reducing fire risk compared to conventional mineral oils.

The thermal properties of FR3® help slow the aging rate of cellulosic insulation materials used in transformers, while also providing operators with flexibility to manage higher loads or support equipment lifespan, depending on transformer design and operating conditions.

Data centers and renewable energy investments are driving up demand
The spread of artificial intelligence applications and data centers is among the main factors increasing the need for reliability and continuity in electricity infrastructure.

According to the International Energy Agency’s projections, global electricity consumption by data centers is expected to more than double by 2030, reaching approximately 945 TWh.

The increasing energy demand is making it important for transformers used in critical infrastructure—including data centers as well as hospitals, airports, metro systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), solar power plants and wind energy facilities—to operate reliably under higher loads.

Renee van Schijndel, Senior Director of Cargill’s Global Transformer Fluids Product Group, stated that the investment aims to respond to the growing energy infrastructure needs and said the following:

“Data centers and other critical infrastructure need safe, reliable and resilient energy. By increasing our production in Dilovası, we will be able to serve our customers who are investing in energy systems designed to meet rapidly growing demand more effectively.”

New production line commissioned at Dilovası facility
Cargill has added a new production line to its Dilovası Bioindustrial Facility in order to meet growing demand in Türkiye and international markets.

The investment, carried out through the coordination of engineering, operations and maintenance teams, was completed without any lost-time work accidents. With the new line, the doubling of FR3® transformer oil production capacity aims to increase the operational efficiency of the facility and strengthen Dilovası’s position within Cargill’s global bioindustrial production network.

Ramadan Küçük, Member of the Board of Directors of Cargill Türkiye, stated that the investment is significant both for production capacity in Türkiye and for the company’s operations in the field of energy technologies:

“Doubling our natural ester dielectric transformer oil production capacity in Dilovası enables us to respond to our customers’ needs more quickly and efficiently. This investment, which demonstrates the strength of our teams in Türkiye and the important role of Dilovası in Cargill’s global operations, also reflects Cargill’s long-term commitment to continued innovation, operational excellence and industrial growth in Türkiye.”

Bio-based transformer fluids support sustainability goals
One of the standout features of FR3® transformer oil is its bio-based content and biodegradability.

Derived from renewable vegetable oils, the product contains more than 99 percent bio-based content according to the ASTM D6866 standard. According to information provided by Cargill, FR3® is 100 percent biodegradable in as little as 10 days according to the OPPTS 835.3100 standard.

The thermal properties of natural ester-based dielectric fluids, combined with appropriate transformer design and operating conditions, can contribute to supporting equipment efficiency and service life. These properties are particularly important for renewable energy projects, data centers and grid operators working toward sustainability goals.

The new production line commissioned in Dilovası is stated to have been designed to increase process and energy efficiency throughout the facility.

Contribution to Türkiye’s transformer value chain
The capacity increase strengthens Cargill’s supply capability for transformer manufacturers in Türkiye, while also increasing its capacity to respond to growing demand for high-performance dielectric fluids in international markets.

Türkiye’s strong position in the global transformer production and export chain increases the importance of local production of advanced technology products such as natural ester-based transformer fluids.

Ramadan Küçük stated that as demand for energy infrastructure increases, collaborations across the value chain will gain importance, and noted that they will continue to work together with transformer manufacturers and energy sector customers in Türkiye.

With the capacity increase in Dilovası, Cargill aims to strengthen its production capability in natural ester-based transformer fluids while also contributing to the development of Türkiye’s supply capacity for the energy technologies and transformer production ecosystem.