Erdem Akartepe transforms his childhood passion for aquariums into MAT, a global leader in sustainability, filtration technologies and food security. Through a journey of innovation, global growth and a deep passion for marine life, with Erdem’s leadership, MAT maintains an average annual growth rate of 42 percent over the past four years, with a projected valuation of $100 million to $150 million in the coming years.
Building the Foundation of MAT Filtration Technologies
Erdem Akartepe, founder and Chairman of the Board of MAT Filtration Technologies, began his journey into aquaculture with a childhood fascination for aquariums and fish breeding. What started with a small fish tank at the age of six eventually expanded into dozens of aquariums, leading him to experiment with filtration systems, water quality management, and aquatic life support technologies from an early age.
After studying Aquaculture Engineering at Ankara University and gaining hands-on industry experience in both Finland and Turkey, Akartepe began developing his own filtration technologies while working in marine life export, public aquarium systems, and aquatic engineering projects. This technical expertise later became the foundation of MAT Filtration Technologies, the company he founded in 2014.
MAT’s Global Expansion and Technology Leadership
Today, MAT has evolved into a global engineering and technology company specializing in advanced filtration systems, life support technologies, water treatment infrastructure, and turnkey land-based aquaculture facilities. Operating within the rapidly growing Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) market, the company exports to more than 50 countries, with revenues distributed across Scandinavia (30%), the Middle East (30%), and Europe and the Americas (40%).
MAT’s vertically integrated structure which is combining engineering, manufacturing, automation, project management, and installation under one roof, has become one of its strongest competitive advantages in an industry increasingly shaped by sustainability, food security, water efficiency, and climate-resilient production technologies.
Rapid Financial Growth and Future Valuation
The company has demonstrated significant financial growth in recent years. MAT’s revenue increased from $20 million in 2023 to $30 million in 2024 and reached $38 million in 2025, while maintaining an average annual growth rate of approximately 42 percent over the last four years. Akartepe projects turnover to reach between $55 million and $60 million in 2026, with the company’s valuation expected to rise to between $100 million and $150 million as MAT continues its international expansion and long-term institutional growth strategy ahead of its planned IPO journey.
From Passion Project to International Success Story
Erdem Akartepe recalled how he started years ago with a small fish tank and how a childhood passion has evolved into a global engineering and technology company operating around the world. “For me, this is not only about being featured in Forbes. It is about seeing a childhood dream evolve into a global engineering and technology company, together with an incredible team of people. From a small fish tank at six years old to projects around the world, every part of the story matters,” he emphasized.
Landmark Projects and International Operations
Under Akartepe’s leadership, MAT has completed major international projects, including a $40 million filtration systems contract for SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi, where the company successfully delivered 155 containers of equipment during the global pandemic period. MAT is currently expanding its operations in Norway, the United States, and China, where it is involved in the planning and engineering phases of multiple land-based salmon farming projects on Hainan Island with a total projected investment exceeding $2 billion.
The Future of Sustainable Aquaculture and Water Technologies
As the global RAS market is expected to grow from approximately $6.8 billion in 2025 to nearly $18 billion by 2035, MAT is positioning itself as one of the emerging global technology providers helping shape the future of sustainable aquaculture, advanced water technologies, and next-generation food production.
Akartepe believes the future of aquaculture will not be built by catching more fish from the oceans, but by producing healthier and more sustainable seafood through smarter water technologies, closed-loop systems, and environmentally responsible engineering solutions. He sees water as one of the world’s most strategic resources in the coming decades, with filtration and water management technologies becoming increasingly critical to global food security and sustainable industrial development.
Read the full article at Forbes Türkiye.