Pepsi production has been relaunched in Hungary through a joint investment by Szentkirályi Hungary and Mattoni 1873. The new, state-of-the-art facility is designed to minimize environmental impact: thanks to local production, an annual 1.5 million truck kilometers of transport and the associated emissions will be eliminated, while the shortening of supply chains further enhances positive environmental outcomes. The world-class bottling lines fill Pepsi soft drinks into rPET bottles made from plastics collected through the deposit return system, providing a model example of a circular economy in practice. 

On June 2nd, Levente Balogh, Founder and Chairman of Szentkirályi Magyarország, announced that the vast majority of Pepsi products intended for the Hungarian market will be produced locally again, at Szentkirály.  All this thanks to an HUF 11 billion joint investment with the Mattoni 1873 Group, led by Alessandro Pasquale. The newly inaugurated plant is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a syrup production facility, water treatment units, and new bottling lines dedicated to serve the Hungarian market. 

 Pepsi production line

Pepsi’s “return to home” carries strong emotional significance: in 1971, when the first bottles of the iconic American soft drink rolled off the production line of the Capital Mineral Water and Ice Industry Company, Pepsi quickly became a symbol of Western lifestyle in socialist Hungary, offering a taste of freedom and the West with a capital W, like a “sip of America.” After the fall of communism, the brand continued its career as one of the favorite soft drinks of the younger generations. However, in 2014, due to economic pressures, the owner at the time decided to discontinue production in Hungary. 

A new chapter in Pepsi’s domestic history was opened by the joint investment of Szentkirályi Magyarország and Mattoni in 1873, which, however, was realized in the spirit of a new business philosophy. Both companies have long been committed to environmental protection and sustainable development, as both Levente Balogh and Alessandro Pasquale have built their business success on natural mineral waters, products that are intertwined with respect for the values of nature. Both have long been advocates of sustainability -specifically, the circular economy model- and they implement their business developments in line with this philosophy. This was also the case when Pepsi production was restarted. 

Press conference event, from left: Alessandro Pasquale, Kata Dobó and Levente Balogh

Bringing production back to Hungary significantly shortens the supply chain, marking an important step toward more sustainable operations. Localizing production, i.e., producing it in a location where raw materials and other resources necessary are available, means that goods reach consumers via the shortest possible route, thereby saving a great deal of environmental impact. In the case of Szentkirályi’s new plant, eliminating the need to import Pepsi drinks, transport is reduced by 1.5 million truck kilometers per year, which means that less harmful substances are released into the air. 

The recycling of packaging materials is an important part of the circular economy. In one hand, it significantly reduces the need to produce new plastics, which lowers carbon dioxide emissions, in addition circularity of packaging prevents plastic bottles from polluting the environment by ending up in landfills or in nature. Hungary’s newly introduced deposit return system plays a crucial role in this, ensuring that packaging waste is properly collected and recycled, turning used PET bottles into valuable secondary raw material for soft drink production. The significance of the world-class production lines installed in Szentkirály lies in their ability to produce energy-efficient bottles containing recycled raw materials, known as rPET bottles. This completes the circular economy cycle, closes the loop as the PET bottles collected through the deposit return system will be turned back into PET bottles – filled with Pepsi soft drinks. 

Preform before blow molding

These measures, together with advanced water and wastewater treatment systems installed at the plant of Szentkirály, ensure that Pepsi production operates with the smallest possible ecological footprint. The latest joint “project” of Levente Balogh and Alessandro Pasquale is intended as a working example of the circular economy, pointing the way forward for the future development of the Hungarian economy. 

A new step forward in ESG compliance 

From assessing supplier risks to aligning with international frameworks, navigating today’s ESG landscape can feel complex. Until now, most organisations have struggled to assess where they truly stand and what concrete steps to take next. 

The ESG Assessment Tool changes this. Co-developed with Inogen Alliance partners, it combines the power of global sustainability expertise with local advisory knowledge. For the first time, companies can access a single solution that evaluates their ESG maturity, benchmarks performance against industry peers, and highlights exactly where action is needed. 

Global standards, local impact 

Unlike traditional assessments, this tool is aligned with the world’s most widely recognised ESG frameworks – GRI, CSRD (ESRS), SASB, TCFD, ISSB, and BRSR. This ensures relevance whether your company operates in Europe, Asia, or the MENA region. 

With AI-powered analysis, the tool delivers immediate ESG scoring, uncovers hidden risks, and provides tailored recommendations for action. The results can be refined further in a personal consultation with Inogen Alliance experts, ensuring guidance that reflects both international best practice and local regulatory realities. 

Compliance deadlines are approaching fast, and companies that delay risk not only penalties but also reputational and financial setbacks. The ESG Assessment Tool is more than a checklist. It is a transformative strategic advantage, giving businesses clarity, comparability, and the confidence to lead in sustainability. 

 Discover how the ESG Assessment Tool can accelerate your ESG journey. 

At Auchan, we don’t just talk about sustainability, but we have been actively working on it for several years. As a key player in the retail sector, we know exactly that we have a responsibility in this – as a lot of people come to us every day.

By joining initiatives such as Plastic-Free July, our goal is to inspire and educate our customers and employees.

One of the most exciting novelties of this year’s Artificial Mother-Free July was the green personality test, which was completed by nearly 2000 people. They received direct feedback on where they are in making everyday environmentally conscious decisions, in which they can always count on Auchan.

We raffled off 200 sustainable products among the respondents, and the main prize was a Trust Point worth HUF 100,000. 🎁

Thank you to everyone who joined us for working together step by step for a more livable future! 💚

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SPAR Hungary received recognition in a total of five categories at the 2025 Store of the Year competition. In addition to winning in the supermarket and hypermarket categories, the company was also awarded the titles of Retailer of the Year for Fresh Meat, Environmentally-Conscious Retailer of the Year, and Fresh Bakery Retailer of the Year. The latter was awarded to SPAR for the very first time, reflecting the success of its long-term efforts to enhance its bakery product range.

SPAR’s performance recognised in five categories at the Store of the Year competition

SPAR Hungary’s stores and trades section received positive professional recognition at the 2025 Store of the Year competition. The company secured first place among retail chains in three key categories: Retailer of the Year for Fresh Meat, Environmentally-Conscious Retailer of the Year, and – for the first time – Fresh Bakery Retailer of the Year. Additionally, the SPAR supermarket on Hűvösvölgyi Road in Budapest and the INTERSPAR hypermarket on Balatoni Road in Székesfehérvár won the top prizes in their respective categories.

“Winning the top prize in the fresh bakery category for the first time is particularly significant feedback for us. It demonstrates that our proprietary product portfolio, built on high-quality ingredients with a continuously expanding range, and our developments tailored to customer needs have been successful. We are proud to be the only participant in the competition to be recognised in five categories. This success validates the daily work our colleagues put in for our customers – whether it’s about our fresh product offerings, sustainable operations, or the quality of our stores,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary.

Superbrands 2025: SPAR, INTERSPAR, and Regnum brands honoured

In 2025, the Superbrands Hungary Expert Committee awarded the Superbrands titles for the 21st time, while the Business Superbrands awards were presented for the 18th time. SPAR Hungary’s three brands – SPAR, INTERSPAR, and Regnum – all received this prestigious professional recognition.

The SPAR brand has now been awarded the Superbrands title for the 17th time since 2005, INTERSPAR for the 10th time, and the Regnum brand for the fifth consecutive year. The international programme aims to recognise brands whose exceptional performance stands out amongst their competitors.

Trusted Employer certification for SPAR’s HR practices

SPAR Hungary has been awarded the Trusted Employer 2025/27 certification by the German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DUIHK). This recognition is professional validation of the company’s consistent and well-considered HR practices, which prioritise employee appreciation, a safe and predictable working environment, and measures to support long-term commitment. The three-year certification signifies that SPAR, as an employer, represents stable, predictable, and people-centric operations, fostering trust among employees and partners alike.

Award-winning own-brand product: frozen lángos dough

SPAR’s HAZAI.SZERETEM quick-frozen lángos dough won the semi-prepared and ready-to-eat category of the 2025 Own-Brand Product of the Year competition. Combining traditional recipes with modern solutions and packaged in environmentally conscious materials, this product aligns with SPAR’s innovative aspirations, which have been recognised with several awards this year.

Transport is a major source of pollution – and road traffic, meaning all of us everyday drivers, is a big part of the problem. Air pollution is largely caused by gases emitted from petrol and diesel engines, but even if you opt for a conventional drivetrain, there’s still plenty you can do to protect the environment. As many of us are not aware of that, we decided that we’re giving tips on how to lower your carbon footprint simply by choosing the right car – and using it more thoughtfully.

Why your car’s colour matters

Black has long been the most popular car colour worldwide, partly because in the early days of motoring it was the cheapest paint option. But research shows that black cars have the largest carbon footprint purely because of their colour. Black absorbs far more sunlight than other colours, causing the interior to heat up faster and leading to heavier use of air conditioning – which in turn increases fuel consumption. Over a year, that can mean up to 140 extra litres of fuel and 323 kilograms of CO₂ emissions for just one car. Dark colours also need washing almost twice as often as lighter ones, using more water. Lighter shades, especially white, are far more eco-friendly: white reflects around 60% of sunlight, keeping the cabin cooler and even helping to lower the surrounding air temperature. Silver and other light colours offer similar benefits – the lighter the colour, the stronger the effect.[1]

Recycled materials on the rise

When designing interiors for new models, manufacturers have always focused on comfort, functionality and cost – but now the environmental impact of materials is a growing priority. According to Plastics Europe[2], plastics make up 12–15% of the weight of a typical 1,500 kg modern car, appearing in dashboards, headrests, airbags and seatbelts – making it the second most common material in car production. Leather remains popular for its elegance, durability, stain resistance and easy cleaning, but experts disagree on whether it’s more sustainable than plastic. That’s why more brands are turning to recycled materials: regenerated nylon from old fishing nets or textile waste, recycled PET, or even hemp industry by-products[3]. These can be processed in existing factories and, at the end of the vehicle’s life, be recycled again or composted. If you want to make a greener choice, pay attention to what’s inside the cabin as well as under the bonnet.

Eco-friendly tyres

Today’s market offers a wide range of eco tyres designed to improve fuel efficiency by reducing rolling resistance. Made from sustainable materials, they also last longer – meaning fewer tyres end up in landfill. Tyre pressure is just as important: underinflated tyres raise fuel use and emissions, while overinflated ones wear out faster. Ideally, check your tyre pressure every two weeks or at least once a month.

Maintenance matters

How well you maintain your car has a huge impact on both performance and emissions. Regular servicing keeps the engine running efficiently, reducing fuel consumption and pollution. Key checks include oil level, air filters and spark plugs. Aim for a full service at least once a year but follow the manufacturer’s recommended intervals – and adjust for your driving habits. Frequent long trips or motorway driving may require more frequent oil changes, along with new oil filters and regular checks on air and fuel filters.

Drive smarter

Driving habits can significantly influence our car’s environmental impact. Accelerating gradually, avoiding sudden braking, and maintaining a steady speed can greatly reduce CO₂ emissions. On motorways, use cruise control where possible. When parked or waiting, switch the engine off completely.

Keep it light

The heavier the load in your car, the more fuel it consumes. To reduce weight, avoid carrying unnecessary heavy items in the boot or back seats. The same goes for roof racks – if not in use, they should be removed, as they increase air resistance, making the engine work harder and burn more fuel.

Plan ahead

You can cut fuel consumption – and your carbon footprint – by planning trips more efficiently, combining errands into one journey. Many drivers also mix driving with public transport or cycling to save time and money. In big cities, it’s often faster to leave your car at a P+R facility on the outskirts and continue by bus, tram or metro.

[1] https://phys.org/news/2011-10-silver-white-cars-cooler.html

[2] https://plasticseurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/20181019-Automotive-Booklet.pdf

[3] https://www.volkswagen-newsroom.com/en/press-releases/imitation-leather-from-industrial-hemp-innovative-and-sustainable-material-for-future-car-interiors-18665