Our newest member is the Arval Hungary

Our newest member is Arval Hungary which was founded in 2003. The managing director of the company is Gwénael Cevaer, the number of employees is 48 and the net sales in 2019 on a group level were 471,4 million euros. Regarding the company’s core business, it provides B2B long-term rental solutions for vehicles and fleet management, as well as corporate mobility products.

In relation to sustainability and sustainable development, the main element of their strategy is the education of their customers in conscious driving and sustainable vehicle usage, as well as the provision and development of services that can support this. Their strategic goal is to significantly increase the share of alternative, environmentally friendly powertrains in the vehicle fleets operated by Arval. Their group has a globally defined CSR and sustainability strategy that aligns with the global CSR and sustainability strategy and policies of their parent company, the BNP Paribas Group. Their ambition in terms of CSR and energy conversion is reflected in the fact that regarding their 500.000 electric cars in their fleet in 2025 they have set a goal of a 30% reduction in their CO2 emissions compared to 2020 and plan to continue to operate in a carbon neutral way. In Hungary, Arval also has a local CSR strategy in line with the global plan, due to which they have participated in reforestation and garbage collection campaigns, among other things, and are looking forward to implement new activities this year and in the future.

Their company introduced the KYC (Know Your Customer) process in 2017, which ensures that all parties respect, among other things, human rights during their business cooperation. In 2020, their group issued its first global CSR report, which includes data from all countries.

By joining BCSDH, they would like to reaffirm their commitment to sustainable development and moreover to strengthen such activities and communication.

31.03.2021

The circular economy is getting closer to companies in the border regions of Slovakia and Hungary. It is brought by the CircularRegions project.

News

In order for the circular economy to become a common practice in every business, we must show entrepreneurs the way and guide them through the first steps to successful transformation. The CircularRegions project will train trainers and design a service for companies that want to turn their business models into circular ones. This will increase efficiency for entrepreneurs, bring a more stable business and a competitive advantage.

The CircularRegions project

The project was created in response to the need to increase the competitiveness of the border regions of Slovakia and Hungary in order to apply the principles of circular economy across market sectors that have the greatest impact on the quality of life and GDP structure of the affected areas.

The main goal of the CircularRegions project is to establish cooperation between organizations that are members of the circular economy platforms, the Hungarian Circular Economy Platform in Hungary and Circular Slovakia in Slovakia, in order to facilitate the transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the circular economy.

“Based on the received feedback and current obstacles from various businesses, the top priority of the project is to search for innovative and sustainable solutions to eliminate waste, and further popularize the importance of circular economy” said Janek Bence, partner of the project.

We will guide companies through the transformation to a circular economy

The project implementers will start by analyzing the problems and needs of companies in selected sectors. They will choose the appropriate methodology and tools that transform linear business models into circular ones. They will prepare a training methodology in which they train trainers on the circular economy in cross-border regions. It connects companies with suitable trainers to help entrepreneurs find solutions and recommendations in order to facilitate the implementation of the circular economy in practice. The project focuses on four selected sectors in the food and packaging industry, plastics industry, construction and tourism. Representatives of companies, associations, the non-profit sector, including regional politicians and potential trainers, can get involved in the project.

“The problems that the project has the ambition to solve are the low number of professionals in the field of circular economy and their concentration in capital cities, and at the same time that economic activities related to the circular economy in both regions usually have low added value,” said Andrej Špánik, managing partner at SBA.

The project partners are the Slovak Business Agency, the Institute of Circular Economics, the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary and IFKA Közhasznú Nonprofit Kft. The project is implemented under the Interreg Slovak Republic – Hungary program with the support of the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and supported by the amount of 182 449.40 euros. The project lasts from December 2020 to March 2022.

You may find more information about the project here.

Contact:

Name: Iren Marta, Managing Director, BCSDH

e-mail address: iren.marta@bcsdh.hu

31.03.2021

Vision 2050: Time to Transform – Leading multinational companies set urgent action agenda for all people to live well, within planetary boundaries

News

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and more than 40 of its members, all major global companies, lay out “Vision 2050: Time to Transform”, with nine pathways to action across industries to ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future.

The world faces three critical challenges: the climate emergency, nature loss and mounting inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that these challenges are interconnected, and that our systems are ill-prepared for shocks. As global risks continue to build, business leaders are rallying behind a bold and urgent transformation agenda developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a CEO-led organization of over 200 leading companies.

Vision 2050: Time to Transform sets a shared vision of a world in which more than 9 billion people are able to live well, within planetary boundaries, by 2050. To achieve this vision, we need transformation at scale, and business needs to focus its actions on the areas through which it can best lead the systems transformations.

Vision 2050: Time to Transform maps how systems transform and lays out a new framework to guide business action in the decade ahead. At the heart of this framework are nine transformation pathways – actionable routes for companies to take – covering the areas of business activity that are essential to society: energy; transportation and mobility; living spaces; products and materials; financial products and services; connectivity; health and wellbeing; water and sanitation; and food.

The vision and transformation pathways are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the targets of the Paris Agreement. Each of the nine transformation pathways contains ten action areas for the decade ahead, designed to help companies drive transformative change in their strategies, business operations and impact on society.

To move beyond business-as-usual into the accelerated transformations necessary, business leaders must adopt three mindset shifts: reinventing capitalism that rewards true value creation; focusing on building long-term resilience; and taking a regenerative approach beyond doing no harm.
While business can take a leading role, it must work on and design systems transformations, together with scientists, policy makers, financiers and investors, innovators and consumers. Only collaboration at unprecedented levels will create the impact and speed needed to achieve all people living well within planetary boundaries by 2050.

“Vision 2050: Time to Transform should not be read with the idea that tomorrow is going to be much the same as today. This is a report for change, starting now, outlining how business needs to play a leading role. We have no time to waste. Achieving this vision requires a wholesale transformation of everything we have grown up with: energy needs to decarbonize; materials need to go circular; food needs to be produced sustainably and equitably and provide healthy diets”, said WBCSD President and CEO Peter Bakker. “Our future depends on transformation. One of the keys to success will be a mindset shift around capitalism. Our economic systems, incentives, global accounting standards and capital market valuations can no longer just be based on the financial performance of businesses: we must integrate our impact on people and planet as part of how we define success and determine enterprise value.”

The report’s foreword, signed by 42 top executives from WBCSD member companies, makes a collective call to global business, stressing: “Business can lead. Business can forge the collaborations required to drive change. It can… but more than that, it must. It is in business’s interest to pursue the transformations set out in Vision 2050 – because its long-term success depends on thriving societies to trade with, and a healthy planet for us all to exist on.”

The launch of Vision 2050 follows the announcement in October 2020, that WBCSD, together with members, raised the bar of business commitment to sustainability through a set of new criteria put forward as part of WBCSD’s membership conditions. The new criteria also focus on the top three priority sustainability challenges that our society faces: climate emergency, nature loss and inequality.

Additionally, WBCSD expects its member companies to strive to the highest standards in corporate governance and transparency, aimed at enhancing the comparability of data for investors and other stakeholders. Over the coming months and years, WBCSD will continue working together with its members and partners to realize the required transformations and “getting sustainability done”.

For more information, please visit our dedicated Vision 2050 website.

—- Quotes from global business leaders —-

“We find ourselves at a time in history where an aspirational, shared vision is more important than ever before to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future. To transition towards and achieve truly sustainable development we need a clear picture of where we want to go, and a path to set out on. Through Vision 2050, WBCSD member companies have come together to reset the baseline for business leadership for the decade to come.”
Sunny Verghese, Olam – Co-Founder and Group CEO, Olam International & WBCSD Chair

“Running our businesses well into the future requires us to shift the way we think about business resilience. Vision 2050 underlines how companies must recognize that they are only as resilient as the ecosystems, communities, economies, and societies they operate in, and that true resilience isn’t about withstanding change but instead embracing it.”
Keryn James – Group CEO, ERM

“A real step-change, beyond incremental improvements, is needed to transform society and achieve a more sustainable future, in line with the Paris Agreement. Achieving transformation requires a ramping up of ambition and action among all companies, whether they operate within the energy, healthcare, food, finance, transport or other systems. WBCSD’s Vision 2050 identifies the pathways for each of these systems to deliver wholescale-transformation.”
Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO, DNV AS

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought vulnerabilities to the surface, underscoring just how fragile and interdependent many of our most vital systems are. Despite its enormous human and financial cost, the pandemic has also created an opportunity to drive and accelerate change at a completely different pace. We now have a unique but rapidly closing window of opportunity for action – it is time to transform our businesses and societies.”
Nadir Godrej – Managing Director, Godrej Industries Limited

“Vision 2050: Time to Transform provides the business community with a uniquely comprehensive and collective understanding of the business actions needed to support the transformations the world needs. It will now take courage and resilience from us all to make this vision a reality.”
Andrea Álvares – Chief Brand, Innovation, International and Sustainability Officer, Natura

“To lay the foundations for a truly prosperous world for people and planet by 2050, we need to address climate change and employ a truly regenerative mindset. That means thinking and acting systemically and restoring critical environmental and social systems that are in decline.”
Magdi Batato – Executive Vice President, Head of Operations, Nestlé

“Market economies have the potential to help to address the most profound challenges faced by our societies and by our planet. But this requires fundamental change. Our economic and business models, which are designed to deliver financial performance as a priority, must urgently change so that they also address the needs of broader stakeholders and environmental sustainability. Vision 2050 is an important contribution to highlight how this can happen.”
Colm Kelly – Global Leader, Purpose, Policy and Corporate Responsibility, PwC

“WBCSD’s Vision 2050 and its framework for how we can collaboratively build a world in which more than 9 billion people live well, serve as a powerful guiding star for the global business community. It makes clear that this vision is still within reach—but we have to come together and act faster. The decade ahead of us is critical and every day offers the opportunity to drive impact.”
Gayle Schueller – Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M

“As we emerge from the pandemic, it is clear the world has changed. We are all responsible for taking actions that will address the critical challenges of the climate emergency, nature loss and mounting inequality we are currently facing. The nine pathways of Vision 2050 will galvanize business to take bold steps that will make a tangible difference to our planet, our people and our communities.”
Dominic Blakemore, CEO, Compass Group PLC

“Vision 2050 – Time to Transform provides specific objectives and pathways to implement strategies and action on sustainable development. Action is the best way to release a manifesto – business takes action, makes progress with stakeholders, and contributes to sustainable development actively.”
Yaofeng Cao, Board Director of Sinopec Corp. & Vice President of China Petrochemical Corp

WBCSD member companies that engaged in the development of Vision 2050: Time to Transform were:

3M, ACCIONA, Arcadis, ArcelorMittal, BASF, Bayer, Chanel, DNV, DSM, EDF Group, ENGIE, ERM, EY, Fujitsu, Givaudan, Godrej Industries, Henkel, IFF, Inter IKEA Group, Microsoft Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Natura, Neste Corporation, Nestlé, Olam International, PwC, Rabobank, Banco Santander, Shell, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc., SONAE, Syngenta, The Navigator Company, Toyota Motor Corporation, Unilever, Vale, Volkswagen, and Yara.

26.03.2021

Not enough for a carbon-neutral economy. Can the business sector make a greater effort? – Towards Net Nero Survey results

News

Budapest, 23 March 2021: For the first time, research has been conducted on the status quo of the Hungarian business sector in relation to carbon-neutral operations. The picture is not so bright – although 31% of leading companies already have net zero emissions targets, this figure is below the international benchmarks and below the level required for real change, according to the Towards Net Zero research of the Hungarian Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSDH), with the professional support of Deloitte.

Achieving net zero emissions is a major challenge of our time, and the research presented at the Net Zero Ambitions Forum, co-organized by BCSDH and the British Embassy, can create a basis for the next steps. At this event, seven of Hungary’s leading companies also presented their related commitments.

“This is the first time in Hungary that a survey has been conducted about the carbon neutrality aspirations and challenges of companies. The results of such timely and valuable research serve as an important guide to defining the most urgent tasks, such as the recognition of the opportunities created by financing, and of reducing and measuring greenhouse gases. Provides guidance on how the transition between the current situation and achieving the desired net zero operations can be accelerated with existing tools” said Irén Márta, Director of BCSDH, in her introduction” said Irén Márta, Director of BCSDH, in her introduction.

Sixty percent of the companies that were surveyed have emission reduction policies, and 30% plan to have one in the next five years. Only 10% said they did not even plan such measures. But only 50% of companies have a specific target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s good to see that BCSDH member companies are at the forefront of setting climate-related goals, but our job is to mobilize a wider business community. Every company is affected by climate change, and every company has the opportunity to positively influence it. The goal is no longer just reducing greenhouse gas emissions but achieving net zero emissions. Research has shown that there is a high level of uncertainty, a lack of knowledge, and often an inadequate allocation of resources within companies. By presenting opportunities and good examples in this area, BCSDH can support its member companies and the wider business environment” – said Attila Chikán Jr., President of BCSDH. “Accelerating the transition to net zero operations requires a broader partnership that includes government and legislative support, and the Net Zero Advisory Board we launched in January can help with this,” he added.

Research has also shown that in order for companies to set real net zero targets, they need to take big steps in terms of measuring emissions and introducing an internal price for carbon. For those who are just starting the process, reducing waste, investing in energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy, and increasing resource efficiency can be the first steps. But it is important to emphasize that we need to go much further than this to create a real net zero-emission economy in Hungary by 2050.

Efforts to achieve the Paris climate targets need to be significantly increased in Hungary and around the world. One of the goals of COP 26 in November is to set targets for achieving net zero in a uniform and scientifically sound way.

“As hosts of the COP26, the UK is working with businesses, governments, and civil society to drive action across key sectors of the economy to reduce emissions, adapt to the effects of climate change and strengthen resilience, while also striving to “build back better” as we recover from the Covid19 pandemic”– highlighted Paul Fox British ambassador, member of the Net Zero Advisory Board.

Seven of the leading companies included in the research presented their specific commitments:

Daikin aims to achieve zero net emissions by 2050. To this end, it is using more energy-efficient, less environmentally damaging technology to create products with longer life cycles. As an important player, Daikin wants to implement the reuse and recycling of refrigerants throughout the industry.

By 2030, all of E.On’s buildings will be carbon neutral, and its fleet will be electric. It undertakes to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieve a 50% reduction in terms of customers’ emissions.

Grundfos aims to reduce its own CO₂ emissions and its water consumption by 50% by 2025, and the company aspires to become “climate positive” by 2030. By 2030, they will have contributed to providing safely managed drinking water to 300 million people in need. In addition, through water efficiency and water treatment, they will have saved 50 billion m³ of fresh water

K&H Group undertakes to operate in a climate-neutral manner from 2021, and to reduce greenhouse gases by 80% and to switch to 100% green electricity by 2030.

LeasePlan will already be implementing its green fleet by 2021 and aims to further reduce its environmental impact through a number of customer and consumer-oriented measures by 2030.

Nestlé aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It will reduce its emissions by 30% by 2025, and by 50% by 2030. It aims to achieve this target, among other ways, through the use of renewable energy, an electric car fleet, and the introduction of new technologies, packaging materials, and recipes.

SIÓ-Eckes (Eckes-Granini Group) undertakes by 2030 to set Science-Based Targets to help achieve the 1.5^o target. It is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, and switching to the use of 100% R-PET by 2030.

*****

Race to Zero

The Race to Zero is the UN-led campaign for a zero-carbon world. Close to 1,400 businesses, including the likes of Facebook, Tesco, LafargeHolcim and Magyar Telekom, and 74 of the biggest investors have joined the global Race to Zero campaign, along with over 454 cities, 23 regions, and 569 universities. Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors have a clear role to play in climate action, in line with the Paris Agreement and in the lead-up to the COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.

Over the coming years, every sector in every market will be transformed as the transition to a low-carbon economy is underway. Committing to the Race to Zero goals of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is also taking the steps necessary to protect and grow your business by reducing costs, by enhancing access to investor capital, by staying ahead of policies and regulations to limit GHG emissions, by increasing your business’ preparedness to external shocks, and by leading on tomorrow’s innovation and transformation.

For more information on the Race to Zero campaign prior to the event, please turn to the campaign’s global website, which provides information on the paths available for joining the campaign, including the Science Based Targets initiative, and the SME Climate Hub.

24.03.2021

Our newest member is the ALD Automotive

Member News

Our newest member is ALD Automotive Hungary. The managing director of the company, founded in 2002, is Olena Tymofiyiva, its sales revenue in 2019 was 27 billion HUF with 102 employees.

ALD Automotive is the subsidiary of Societé Générale Group dealing with leasing and fleet management. Its experiences and reputation make it one of the leading companies in the sector. The team of ALD Automotive offers cost effective solutions to its customers, while fully observing the requirements of environment protection.

As of their Move 2025 strategic plan, they want to be the global leader in sustainable mobility solutions, and will place people and corporate social responsibility at the heart of the business model. Their sustainability approach for CSR, includes shaping the future of sustainable mobility, being a committed and responsible employer by raising the share of women in management bodies to 35%, implementing, and reducing the company’s internal environmental footprint by 30% by 2025 from 2019 levels.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic they have ensured all employees have the option to work from home if needed, based on current regulations and advisory. They trained 1 certified first-aid provider colleague for every 10 colleagues. As in Code of Conduct, wage equality is provided for all employees at ALD Automotive Hungary, they have retired and disabled employees and all measures are taken for their comfort at work.

Since 2018 ALD Automotive Hungary is evaluated by Ecovadis every year, assessing CSR and sustainable procurement. This result places their company among the top 25 percent of companies assessed by EcoVadis. ALD Automotive surveys all entities every year and prepares the Planétic report including: evaluation of office buildings, energy consumption, paper usage, transport of employees, waste management, water consumption.

They would like to become a member to have an opportunity to get recent updates related to sustainability initiatives, environmental and social projects in the country, to be able to share ALD Automotive knowledge and background, as well as network and participate in common projects.

16.03.2021

Net Zero Business Ambitions Forum – towards net zero – survey results

News

Businesses for Net Zero:

towards net zero – questionnaire results

CEOs and Sustainability Managers, join us on 23 March

at 3pm CET on MS Teams

We cordially invite you to the Net Zero Business Ambitions Forum organized by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) in cooperation with the British Embassy Budapest. The results of the Towards Net Zero survey led by BCSDH and supported by Deloitte will be presented at the event. Moreover 7 company cases will be shared with participants.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please contact: ivett.takacs@bcsdh.hu

The Race to Zero is the UN-led campaign for a zero-carbon world. Close to 1,400 businesses including the likes of Facebook, Tesco, LafargeHolcim and Magyar Telekom, and 74 of the biggest investors have joined the global Race to Zero campaign, along with over 454 cities, 23 regions and 569 universities. Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors have a clear role to play in climate action, in line with the Paris Agreement and in the lead-up to the COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.

For more information on the Race to Zero campaign prior to the event, please turn to the campaign’s global website, which provides information on the paths available for joining the campaign, including the Science Based Targets initiative, and the SME Climate Hub.

Agenda:

15.00	Welcome speech – Attila Chikán Jr., President, BCSDH
15:03	Opening remarks – Paul Fox, British Ambassador
15:06	Towards net zero – Survey results – Iren Marta, Managing Director, BCSDH, Ákos Lukács, Head of Sustainability and Climate Change service line, Deloitte Zrt.
15:26	Business Cases Daikin Hungary Kft. – Balázs Zuggó, Managing Director E.ON Hungária Zrt. – Zsolt Jamniczky, Member of the Board Grundfos Magyarország Kft. – Olivér Szundy, Managing Director Nestlé Hungária Kft. – Péter Noszek, Managing Director K&H Bank Zrt. –Levente Suba, Business Banking Network Development Head LeasePlan Hungária Zrt. – Tímea Pesti, CEO Sió-Eckes Kft. – Ágnes Kovács, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer Executive Board Member
15:55	Closing

Information:

The official language of the event is English without interpretation.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.

For further information please contact Ivett Takács at ivett.takacs@bcsdh.hu.

15.03.2021

HR strategies for 2021 on the Hungarian labour market

Member News

Our free downloadable report available in both Hungarian and English provides insight into detailed Hungarian data of Randstad HR Trends Survey 2021. research about employers’ plans for human resources.

Download it from here.

04.03.2021

SPAR has decreased by almost a hundred tonnes the quantity of sugar used for the production of its own-brand products

Member News

The store has committed itself to popularize health-conscious lifestyle and the diet supporting it. The initiative called „Less sugar – more vitality! doubled by now the 50 tonnes of sugar quantity reduction which was reached in the starting year, in 2019.

„Food products supporting healthy lifestyle and diet are getting an increasing role in the SPAR product range. Satisfying the needs of our customers, we offer even more salt- and sugar-reduced, free from preservatives and additives food products appropriate for a special diet. Besides our continuously increasing and renewable selection of products, we support with the help of SPAR Lifestyle programme our customers to create their healthy lifestyle. It is especially important that the 50 tonnes of sugar reduction reached by our programme, „Less sugar – more vitality!” started for two years, has been doubled: the quantity of added sugar in our own-brand products being domestically developed or deriving from international purchase was reduced by 97 tonnes by the end of 2020” – said Márk Maczelka, Head of Communication at SPAR.

In 2019, SPAR Hungary decided to reduce the quantity of sugar used for the production of its own-brand products, which are sold in its stores. The fast 100 tonnes of added sugar reduction in the affected product groups being in its product range – among which we can find beverages, juices, energy drinks, syrups, ice cream, sweet cereal and dairy produces, muesli and cereal bars, ketchups and biscuits – is a significant result, which contributes to the creation of a diet supporting healthy lifestyle.

04.03.2021

Batteries, plastics, renewable raw materials: new ideas for the circular economy

Member News

In a circular economy, the aim is to avoid waste, reuse products and recover resources. “Companies that can provide solutions for the transformation to a circular economy will have a crucial competitive advantage,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer of BASF, speaking about the circular economy, a key issue of the future in society and in politics at the first BASF digital Research Press Conference. BASF has therefore launched a new Circular Economy Program. By the year 2030, the company aims to double its sales generated with solutions for the circular economy to €17 billion. To achieve this, the company is concentrating on three action areas: circular feedstocks, new material cycles and new business models. As of 2025, BASF aims to process 250,000 metric tons of recycled and waste-based raw materials annually, replacing fossil raw materials.

Battery recycling: Closing the loop in e-mobility

According to experts, more than 1.5 million metric tons of battery cells from electric vehicles will have to be disposed of in the year 2030. In addition, there is scrap from the production of cells and cathode active materials as well as their precursors. These contain valuable resources such as lithium, cobalt and nickel. With battery recycling, these raw materials can be reclaimed and reprocessed. To recycle lithium-ion batteries, they are first dismantled and shredded, which creates a substance called “black mass.” It is currently possible to recover raw materials from black mass using various chemical processes. This reduces the carbon footprint of the battery metals by at least 25 percent compared to mining from natural deposits.

Until now, however, this process has been very energy-intensive or has created large volumes of salts that require disposal. In addition, the yield of raw materials is still too low. BASF is developing a new highly efficient chemical process with numerous advantages: It can recover high-purity lithium from the batteries with high yields, it prevents waste and it further reduces the carbon footprint compared to existing processes.

In this way, BASF supports the European Commission’s goals of establishing a sustainable European battery value chain. The BASF recycling process can play an important role in the creation of a circular economy for batteries in Europe.

Additives to improve plastics recycling

For plastics as well, BASF researchers are working on ways to more efficiently close material loops. According to a study by the consulting firm Conversio, around 250 million metric tons of plastic waste are globally generated per year. Only around 20 percent of this plastic is recycled, thus keeping the material in circulation. In mechanical recycling, waste plastics are shredded and melted to make recyclate, which is then used to make new products. However, this material is not suitable for many applications without further processing. One reason is that repeated use and processing often damage the polymer chains so much that the plastic becomes brittle or yellowed. Another reason is that plastic waste is often made up of a mixture of different plastic types which cannot be separated from each other. For example, beverage bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), while their lids are usually made of polypropylene (PP). Such mixtures of incompatible plastics have a significantly negative impact on quality.

BASF researchers have addressed these problems by developing various plastic additive packages to specifically stabilize and improve the quality of recycled materials. Solutions such as compatibilizers will enhance the mechanical properties of polymer mixtures. This upgrades mechanically recycled plastics and the products made from them in a plastics cycle.

Plastic waste becomes a new feedstock for the chemical industry

Each year, 200 million metric tons of plastic waste worldwide go unrecycled. An important complement to mechanical recycling is chemical recycling, which takes a different approach to creating a circular economy for plastics. Chemical recycling transforms plastic waste into secondary raw materials, for example, through a thermochemical process called pyrolysis. The output of this process is pyrolysis oil, which can be used by the chemical industry to make new products. The advantages of this process are that it can also recycle mixed and unclean plastic waste streams. Moreover, products made from pyrolysis oil are indistinguishable from conventional products, so they can be deployed in even the most demanding applications. This means that, for the first time ever, automotive components, medical devices and even food packaging can be made from this kind of plastic waste.

To advance this promising technology, BASF launched its ChemCyclingTM project in 2018. Together with cooperation partners, BASF researchers are working on further developing and improving the process to produce pyrolysis oil from mixed plastic waste. Developing suitable catalysts for the new process technology is an important aspect of this. These catalysts aim to ensure that high-purity pyrolysis oil is always produced, even when the composition of the plastic waste varies.

More information about the presentations at the Research Press Conference and further examples relating to the circular economy at BASF can be found at: basf.com/research-press-conference

02.03.2021

Diversity at Dreher

Member News

At Dreher Breweries we are proud of our nearly 170-year history, the Dreher heritage: building on local communities with a strategy of adaptation in mind, our company has passed on the tradition of brewing across generations and it permeates our operations to this day. Thanks to this heritage, people not only buy beer with Dreher, but also a piece of history, a way of thinking and a philosophy. All of this has repercussions on our staff members, who are proud of the Dreher heritage and of the Dreher team. That’s why we often emphasize that at Dreher we brew experiences, not only beer.

Our goal is to continue to build on this special heritage even in the 21^st century, part of which is to pay close attention to the diversity and tolerance that have become integral parts of our modern corporate culture and strategy. For us, this is important from several aspects, as it means not only gender equality, but also the creation of appropriate and recognized jobs for up to four different generations. We are proud that there is no discrimination within the company with regard to gender, age, nationality or anything else, and we support the strengthening of an inclusive culture.

In addition, together with several international companies and Asahi Europe and International, the CEO of Dreher Breweries signed in March the commitment entitled “The LEAD Network Pledge 2020”, which, in line with our 2030 sustainability commitments, aims to create gender balance and promote diversity in the workplace.

Éva Kreiter, HR Director of Dreher Breweries and Gábor Békefi, CEO of Dreher Breweries hold the signed commitment

The commitment, which can be read HERE, was signed by Gábor Békefi, CEO of Dreher Breweries, accompanied by the following quote:

“Since 1854, diversity and inclusion have been firmly anchored in our history and corporate culture. Though we were given a multi-generational team as a legacy, generational, gender and knowledge diversity has become the fundament of our modern corporate culture and people strategy. We believe that different views from different colleagues deliver a rich flow of ideas and a variety of approaches to drive innovation and create an inclusive and future-proof workplace.”

02.03.2021