A very warm welcome to Ági as she joins the team!

News

Dr Ágnes Neulinger is an economist, researcher and expert in sustainable food systems. She earned her PhD in 2008 and completed her habilitation in 2018 at Corvinus University of Budapest, where she worked as a lecturer and researcher for nearly two decades, including as head of department and programme director, until 2022. She has also taught and conducted research at other universities. Alongside her academic career, she gained corporate experience in market research, working both on the agency and client sides.

She is currently a Senior Researcher at ESSRG (Environmental Social Science Research Group), where she leads projects focused primarily on sustainable food systems.

She is passionate about strengthening commitment to sustainability and shaping a shared understanding of sustainable practices. Together with her colleagues, she developed the Eco-Club methodology at Corvinus University and went on to mentor the university’s Eco-Clubs successfully for several years.

12.10.2026

Energy Crisis and Tightening EU Requirements: Hidden Savings Opportunities in Industrial and Building Operations

Member News, Uncategorized

Energy Crisis and Tightening EU Requirements: Hidden Savings Opportunities in Industrial and Building Operations

Energy efficiency is no longer merely a sustainability objective; it has become a key factor in corporate competitiveness. The vulnerability of European energy markets, increasingly stringent EU requirements, and decarbonisation efforts are bringing new attention to the modernisation of existing systems. NUXON offers technological solutions that, in many cases, can reduce energy and resource consumption without requiring the complete replacement of existing equipment.

Beyond the Energy Crisis: New Challenges for European Businesses

The energy market developments of recent years have demonstrated the significant business risks associated with fluctuating energy prices and dependence on imported energy.

According to the European Commission’s Affordable Energy Action Plan, presented in February 2025, the proposed measures could generate estimated annual savings of up to EUR 130 billion across the European Union by 2030.

At the same time, energy efficiency requirements are becoming increasingly stringent.

Under the revised Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791, companies with an average annual energy consumption exceeding 10 TJ over the previous three years are, subject to certain conditions, required to undergo energy audits. Companies exceeding 85 TJ must implement a certified energy management system.

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EU) 2024/1275 also establishes minimum energy performance requirements targeting the worst-performing non-residential buildings, with milestones in 2030 and 2033, subject to national implementation measures and specified exemptions.

The question facing businesses is therefore becoming increasingly clear: how can existing infrastructure be operated with lower energy consumption and fewer resources?

Savings May Be Hidden Where We Have Not Yet Looked

When considering energy efficiency improvements, attention often turns to new equipment, renewable energy systems, or comprehensive building renovations.

Yet significant opportunities may also lie in optimising industrial and building operation systems that are already in use.

Conventional air filters gradually accumulate contaminants during operation, increasing airflow resistance. Depending on the system design and control strategy, this can lead to higher fan energy consumption. Regular filter replacement also involves continuous material consumption, maintenance activities, and waste generation.

NUXON, the air filtration division of Mielemed MPM Kft., provides advanced electrostatic air filtration solutions that can offer an alternative to conventional filtration technologies under suitable technical conditions.

A key element of the portfolio is MESP (Micro-Electrostatic Precipitation) technology, which uses an electric field to capture and remove airborne particles.

Its low pressure drop, combined with washable and reusable filter cells, creates opportunities to reduce energy consumption, filter replacement costs, and waste generation.

Different Industries, Specific Sustainability Challenges

Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities

Targeted removal of dust, fumes, and aerosols generated by industrial processes can help reduce contaminant loads where the technology is technically suitable.

When selecting a filtration solution, energy consumption and ease of maintenance are just as important as filtration performance.

Office Buildings, Commercial Properties, and Service Facilities

Upgrading the filtration systems of existing air handling units can reduce operational energy demand and the consumption of disposable filters, while allowing equipment that remains in good technical condition to continue operating.

Hospitality, Commercial Kitchens, and the Food Industry

Managing grease and oil aerosols, smoke, and odour emissions requires specialised solutions.

Targeted particle removal, combined with appropriate supplementary odour treatment technologies, can contribute to reducing environmental impact.

Energy Efficiency and Building Services Engineering Projects

Reviewing existing filtration systems can reveal additional opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.

A comprehensive assessment of energy consumption, pressure drop, maintenance requirements, and life-cycle costs supports well-informed investment decisions.

The Real Value of Sustainability Lies in Measurable Results

The sustainability benefits of technological upgrades cannot be assessed solely on the basis of technical specifications.

It is essential to consider the initial operating conditions, annual operating hours, actual energy consumption, maintenance and cleaning requirements, and the amount of waste generated.

NUXON’s approach therefore focuses on identifying the modernisation potential of each individual system and selecting solutions that are technically justified.

Sustainable operations do not necessarily mean rebuilding or replacing everything. In many cases, significant progress can be achieved by operating existing systems with less energy, generating less waste, and improving long-term cost efficiency.

NUXON – Innovative Air Filtration Solutions for More Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Operations.

Mielemed MPM Kft. | NUXON Division

https://nuxon.hu

12.10.2026

Sustainable Building Management

Member News

Improving the sustainability performance of a building does not end with design and construction: there are also numerous opportunities to operate buildings more efficiently and consciously throughout their operational life. A comprehensive assessment of an existing building’s technical characteristics, operational practices and environmental performance can help identify opportunities for improvement, whether in terms of energy or water consumption, occupant comfort, waste management, ecology or resilience. The BREEAM In-Use certification scheme provides a comprehensive framework for this, supporting not only the achievement of certification but also more efficient and sustainable building management in the long term.

It is Never Too Late to Think About Sustainability

In our previous articles, we explored how sustainability principles can be integrated from the early design stages of district-scale developments, new-build projects and buildings undergoing refurbishment through BREEAM certification.

However, we often encounter situations where the developer starts considering sustainability too late. For a building that is about to enter construction or is already under construction, it may then be too late – or only possible at significant additional cost – to integrate the sustainability principles required to achieve a building certification.

There is, however, still an opportunity to assess and improve the sustainability performance of the building. The owner or developer can choose to take a closer look at the physical characteristics or operational practices of an existing building and pursue BREEAM In-Use certification.

It Is Not Just the Building’s Technical Parameters That Matter

Fortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for tenants to seek sustainable buildings with recognised certifications. What can this mean in practice?

For a building undergoing BREEAM In-Use assessment, factors affecting the health and wellbeing of occupants are assessed, such as daylight and view out, indoor air quality, adequate lighting and thermal comfort.

The building’s mechanical and building services systems are also subject to detailed assessment. The type and quality of these systems, as well as how the building’s energy consumption is managed and monitored, can make a significant contribution to the overall score. This can also provide useful guidance for future refurbishment, helping to identify more efficient and modern solutions that could improve the building’s energy performance.

The building’s location is also assessed. Good public transport connections, walkable access to local amenities and sustainable transport options are advantageous. The latter may include, for example, electric vehicle charging facilities and suitable bicycle storage.

In addition to energy management, water management is also an important assessment criterion. The Water category assesses the efficient management of water consumption, water-saving measures, and the measurement and monitoring of water use.

Preparing a condition survey helps to identify the physical condition of the building and provides a basis for planning necessary periodic maintenance as well as short- and long-term refurbishment plans. It is also possible to identify resources and materials within the building that can be reused. This can be particularly useful, for example, when a new tenant moves into the building, as reuse can reduce the demand for raw materials and the amount of waste generated.

The assessment of the building’s physical characteristics also includes its resilience to climate change, natural disasters and other physical risks. In addition, the safety and security of building occupants are also assessed.

Sustainability in Building Management Practice

In addition to technical parameters, the practices applied in building management can also be assessed. Having documented operational and maintenance processes, manuals, policies, analyses and monitoring results can all contribute to achieving a higher score and rating level. This is particularly important for an operational building, as good technical characteristics alone do not necessarily guarantee efficient and sustainable operation.

Clients are often concerned that meeting the certification requirements means producing a large amount of unnecessary documentation. In reality, these documents are intended to support the long-term efficient, conscious and user-friendly operation of the building.

It is also worth highlighting the role of ecology. With the involvement of an ecologist, external areas can often be enhanced in a cost-effective way to make a meaningful contribution to local biodiversity. From an occupant perspective, well-designed and maintained green spaces can also provide an attractive environment, creating a pleasant urban oasis.

Adventum / Buda Square & Margit Palace office buildings, BREEAM In-Use assessment

Beyond Certification: A Framework for Continuous Improvement

Operating a building requires simultaneous management of numerous different areas – from energy management and maintenance to waste management and occupant comfort. BREEAM In-Use provides a consistent framework for assessing these areas and helps identify opportunities for further improvement.

This demonstrates that building certification can be pursued without major capital investment, provided there is sufficient commitment to improving the building’s sustainability performance. The assessment of a building’s environmental performance does not end with the design and construction phases: there are many opportunities to improve sustainability throughout the operational phase as well.

The BREEAM In-Use scheme is therefore not merely a means of obtaining certification, but can also serve as a framework for improvement and informed decision-making. It can contribute to a building’s market positioning, competitiveness and long-term value, while supporting improvements in operational efficiency.

Author:

Enikő Kluha, Head of Sustainability / Realiscon

BREEAM Assessor & AP

Létesítmény energetikai mérnök

09.10.2026

More than 780,000 litres of water for young trees: E.ON Volunteer Watering wraps up for 2026

Member News

The 2026 season of Volunteer Watering (Önkéntes Vízadás) ended in late September. The nationwide community tree-watering campaign was organised by FŐKERT Urban Park Management and BeEco with the participation of the 10 Million Trees Foundation, and from 2026 it has E.ON as its title sponsor. The initiative aimed to help trees under five years old, which are still especially vulnerable, survive increasingly dry summers. When this year’s season began, nobody could have known that the driest summer of the century lay ahead. Looking back, organising community watering proved especially valuable.

The movement was built around BeEco’s free eco-app. The app’s map marks thirsty trees in yellow and red and shows the nearest places to get water. Volunteers log each watering they complete and collect points for it. This year the programme also reached beyond Budapest. Alongside FŐKERT’s trees, 15 local authorities joined in total, including several Budapest districts and municipalities in E.ON’s Transdanubian service area such as Pécs, Veszprém, Kecskemét and Székesfehérvár.

This year more than 22,000 trees and nearly 15,000 wells and water points were added to the map. By the end of the season, 2,162 active volunteers had watered trees 24,693 times, giving young trees more than 780,000 litres of water. By comparison, Volunteer Watering launched last year in Budapest only, with around 1,500 volunteers and just over 500,000 litres of water, so participation and coverage grew significantly this year. Beyond its sponsorship, E.ON’s own employees took part in the watering, and the company ran a separate campaign to raise awareness of why the programme matters.

09.10.2026

The Rhythm of Sustainability: E.ON’s New Time-of-Use Electricity Tariff Supports Energy-Conscious Business

Member News

Businesses can reduce their energy costs in several ways: by improving energy efficiency or even by installing their own solar system. For those for whom these options are not available — or not immediately available — E.ON has created a simple alternative with its new Ritmus (Rhythm) tariff, which delivers significant savings while also helping companies support the more stable and sustainable operation of the electricity system. The tariff encourages customers to shift part of their consumption to cheaper periods within the day, which also helps balance the load on the grid.

Ritmus is a smart-meter-based tariff with three time zones: during daytime hours (6:00–17:00) and night-time hours (22:00–6:00), the energy charge is up to 35% lower than during the evening peak (17:00–22:00). The zones apply at the same time every day of the year, making them easy to plan around: part of a company’s electricity consumption can be scheduled for the lower-cost periods — for example, charging electric vehicles or the batteries of energy storage systems.

E.ON is also offering a direct financial incentive with the scheme: businesses able to adjust their energy use flexibly receive a HUF 30,000 refund on their next contract, and the first hundred customers to sign up also receive a free consumption monitoring device. The service requires a smart meter or interval meter that records consumption every 15 minutes — something companies with annual consumption above 5,000 kWh will certainly have in place. The tariff can be combined with E.ON’s Green Partner package, which provides electricity from guaranteed renewable sources.

Ritmus is now the third element of E.ON’s time-of-use tariff range for businesses, alongside the Napkelte (Sunrise) and Hétvége (Weekend) tariffs. With solutions built on long-term partnership and sustainability, the company recently won the Zöld Kerék (Green Wheel) Award from consulting firm IFUA Horváth.

09.10.2026

Are real estate properties built today prepared for the climate of 2050?

Member News

Climate risk is increasingly becoming an operational risk

We design a building for decades, while the climatic and infrastructural conditions under which it must operate change much faster. Temperatures above 40 °C in Hungary are no longer merely a future scenario. Prolonged heatwaves put an increasing strain on energy supply and building services systems. Prolonged drought in certain regions can lead to water supply problems, which are then ended by rain and intense storms following the extended dry period.

In 2025 and this year, major heatwaves were typically characterized by daily averages of roughly 26–28 °C, daytime temperatures of 38–41 °C, and warmest nights of 20–25 °C. Around 2050, in a similarly severe weather situation, a daily average of 27–29 °C and peak temperatures around 40–42 °C are expected instead.

If real estate sector players want to get through this situation without damage, disrupted operations, and permanent loss of value, a shift in mindset is inevitable. It is no longer sufficient to evaluate the impacts of climate change solely based on direct physical damage to buildings. An increasingly important question is whether the property will be able to operate safely, economically, and continuously under changing conditions. Climate risk is becoming an operational risk.

The assessment of climate risks has been part of nearly a decade of practice in environmental impact assessment procedures for major investments and projects receiving European Union funding. In the real estate sector, such analyses have been carried out in recent years for buildings applying the requirements of international green building certification systems (BREEAM, LEED) as well as those fulfilling the EU Taxonomy criteria. However, the acceleration of climate change experienced again this year has brought new aspects and solutions to the forefront of climate risk assessment.

A good example of this is the impact and management of heatwaves. According to previous assessment methodologies, the impacts of future heatwaves were examined primarily in terms of increasing cooling energy demand, building overheating, and the deterioration of building energy performance. Today, we see that it is also necessary to examine what happens when the cooling system has to operate at the limit of its capacity for several days. Sustained high daytime and nighttime temperatures increase the operating time and load of building services systems, along with the risk of breakdown. Such a system failure does not only cause a loss of comfort: in extreme cases, it can also affect the usability of the building and business continuity.

This is particularly important for properties whose systems were sized for weather conditions that no longer correspond to current extremes, let alone those of the coming decades. These buildings must be renovated and adapted to be suitable for operating under changing climate conditions.

A good example of practical adaptation for complex buildings is the Allee Shopping Centre, where climate adaptation has already become part of daily operations. Based on regularly updated climate risk assessments, the action plans prepared by Greenbors Consulting are systematically implemented during operations, continuously improving the building’s operational capability. Among other features, green walls, a green roof, and shading installed above the glass facade help mitigate thermal load; the latter reduced the temperature of the interior spaces affected by the shaded facade by several degrees Celsius.

Vulnerability can also manifest outside the building

A property’s operational capability is determined not only by the operation of the building’s own systems, but also by the connected infrastructure. Heat increases electricity demand while placing an increased load on the energy system. A major power outage makes operating a building that relies entirely on the grid impossible. Sustained drought, on the other hand, can cause drops in water pressure, consumption restrictions, or other supply issues.

A property can therefore be exposed to operational risk even if the building itself is not physically damaged. For this reason, climate adaptation requires examining not only what weather hazards may affect a given location, but also how dependent the property is on municipal energy, water, or other infrastructure, as these systems are also sensitive to climate change.

Water scarcity and excessive precipitation become problems simultaneously

The water supply for the inner districts of Budapest relies entirely on bank-filtered water sources along the Danube, whose operation is adversely affected by extremely low Danube water levels. Summer water pressure drops, usage restrictions, or even service outages can become realistic operational risks.

Changes in the temporal distribution of precipitation pose another challenge. Longer dry periods can be ended by high-intensity storms delivering large amounts of rain in a short time. Existing stormwater drainage systems can become overloaded due to heavy rainfall, leading to basement and underground garage flooding, water damage, and other operational disruptions.

The impact of green infrastructure is also quantitatively significant: according to studies, an extensive green roof just 8–10 cm thick can retain more than 50% of the annual precipitation falling on it locally. By implementing green roofs and other vegetated building surfaces, indoor temperatures can be reduced by 4–5 °C, while cooling electricity consumption can decrease by more than 11%.

The solution to both challenges above cannot rely solely on draining water as quickly as possible. Retaining precipitation locally and utilizing it long-term is becoming increasingly important. Rainwater harvesting systems, properly designed green spaces, and green roofs can simultaneously aid water retention and reduce flooding risks. Furthermore, the shading and evaporative cooling effects of vegetation can mitigate local warming, cooling energy demand, and the load on building mechanical systems. Green infrastructure thus becomes one of the tools for building resilience in the future.

This approach is systematized by the “sponge city” concept already implemented in several locations in Budapest: instead of draining stormwater as quickly as possible, it builds on retaining, absorbing, and utilizing it locally, thereby mitigating both the load caused by sudden downpours and water scarcity during dry periods. In addition, green spaces created in this way can reduce the microclimate temperature of inner districts by up to 4–5 °C through evaporation and shading.

Buildings need to be not only lower-emission, but also more resilient

Sustainability efforts in the real estate sector have so far primarily emphasized energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction. Alongside these, another approach is becoming increasingly critical: preparing buildings for the climate in which they will need to operate over the coming years and decades.

For new developments, it is advisable to consider this during the design phase and optimize building operation systems for future conditions. For existing properties, points that pose future technical, operational, or financial risks must be identified. However, significant risks and the solutions to be applied can vary from building to building, so climate adaptation does not mean a single technical fix.

Climate adaptation assessments by Greenbors Consulting help uncover which current and future physical climate risks affect a property, what specific technical or operational consequences these may entail, and what interventions can reduce the most critical risks. Our experts do not merely prepare a risk list, but provide decision-support information that is useful from investor, owner, technical, and financing perspectives alike.

Properties being designed, built, or financed today will very likely still be in use in 2050. The dilemma is no longer whether the climatic environment in which the building must operate will change by then, but how we adapt the building and its operation to these predictable challenges.

09.10.2026

Sustainabot Wins the Digital Sustainability Innovation Category at the 2026 BREEAM Awards

Member News, Uncategorized

The Hungarian-developed Sustainabot has received international professional recognition: the AI-powered solution supporting BREEAM assessors has won the Digital Sustainability Innovation category at the 2026 BREEAM Awards. The development brings together Greenbors Consulting’s BREEAM expertise with AI technology.

The award was presented in London on 30 September at the 2026 BREEAM Awards ceremony. For Sustainabot, this represents an important international recognition: a solution developed in Hungary and originating from the local real estate market has reached the international forefront of the BREEAM professional community.

The 2026 Awards received more than 350 entries, with category winners selected by an independent professional judging panel. Sustainabot won among solutions that apply digital technology to support a more sustainable built environment.

BREEAM: an international benchmark for sustainable buildings

BREEAM is one of the world’s longest-established and most widely used sustainability assessment methods for buildings. Since its launch in 1990, more than 3 million assets and projects have been registered across 108 countries, making BREEAM a key sustainability reference point in the European and international real estate market.

The BREEAM Awards are one of the leading recognitions within this international professional community. In addition to outstanding buildings and developments, the Awards recognise professional excellence in areas including digital sustainability innovation.

Where Greenbors’ BREEAM expertise meets AI technology

The development of Sustainabot is built on Greenbors Consulting’s expertise in BREEAM and real estate sustainability. From the outset, the aim was not to create a general-purpose AI solution, but a system specifically designed to support BREEAM assessors in their day-to-day work.

Developed by Sustainabot Technologies Kft., the platform combines Greenbors’ professional expertise with advanced artificial intelligence technology. Sustainabot already has users across numerous European countries, from the United Kingdom to the Czech Republic and other European markets, and is being used on real BREEAM projects to support the assessment of office buildings, shopping centres, logistics properties and other assets.

An AI assistant supporting BREEAM assessors

Sustainabot supports assessors in evaluating BREEAM requirements by rapidly analysing technical documentation. The system can identify relevant information across large volumes of documentation and present it in a structured format, significantly reducing the time required for manual document review.

According to the BRE’s official assessment, Sustainabot can reduce the time spent reviewing documents by approximately 70%. At the same time, the solution does not replace the assessor’s professional judgement: its purpose is to reduce repetitive information-search tasks and give assessors more time for professional evaluation and decision-making.

The three key principles behind the development are speed, professional accuracy and data security.

An important milestone for a Hungarian-developed solution

The BREEAM Awards recognition is an important validation not only for Sustainabot, but also for Greenbors Consulting. It demonstrates how the combination of expertise built up in the Hungarian real estate market and advanced AI technology can result in solutions with international relevance.

We are proud that, through the development of Sustainabot, we have reached the international forefront of real estate sustainability and brought a Hungarian-developed solution to the global BREEAM community that addresses a genuine professional challenge with a practical solution.

09.10.2026

Waste Processing, Composting, Sustainable Urban Development and Circular City Solutions – Day Three of the European Circular Economy Hotspot

News

At the European Circular Economy Hotspot in Budapest, nearly 300 participants from more than 20 countries across four continents joined international experts and business representatives to show that the circular economy does not begin when waste is generated. It starts much earlier: when we decide what we truly need, how products should be designed, how much material should go into making them, and how to keep them in use for as long as possible.
Equipment that is easier to repair, a building that can be renovated, or a manufacturing process based on secondary raw materials can often do more for circularity than recycling at the end of a product’s life. On the final day, industrial and urban examples showed how circularity works in practice.

How Does the Circular Economy Work at Industrial Scale?

As part of Circular Economy Hotspot Budapest 2026, participants visited ALTEO Circular’s newly opened facility in Kistarcsa to see how waste sorting and material recovery technologies turn waste into valuable secondary raw materials.
The visit offered insight into resource recovery processes and showed industrial symbiosis in practice: connecting waste streams with industries that can reuse the recovered materials.
It also gave participants an excellent opportunity to take the conference discussions onto the factory floor and see firsthand the technologies and expertise needed to keep materials in circulation.

Making More Space for Nature in the City!

During Circular Economy Hotspot Budapest 2026’s “Feel the Nature in the City” study visit, participants explored three different approaches to sustainable urban development. At Graphisoft Park, they saw how a former industrial site can be transformed into a green business environment, bringing workplaces and nature closer together.
The programme continued with electric bicycles provided by HelloVelo, giving participants the chance to experience firsthand how electric mobility can help connect urban spaces.
The final stop, Pünkösdfürdő Park, focused on nature-based solutions. The visit showed how urban green spaces can support climate adaptation and biodiversity while also providing opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

City Walk – Circular City Treasure Hunt

What do a baby equipment repair clinic, a vintage shop and a former warehouse have in common? Each featured as a stop to discover during the Circular City Treasure Hunt held as part of Circular Economy Hotspot Budapest 2026.
The programme began at Premier Kultcafé, where culture, community life and inclusive employment come together. From there, participants set off in small teams to explore the city. Planning their own routes, they had to visit at least three circular locations and take a photo at each one.
The stops showcased different aspects of the circular economy as they appear in everyday urban life:

Printa Budapest: how local design and production processes, as well as material choices, shape the future of products.
Babaklinika: how expertise and craftsmanship can extend the life of treasured items, sometimes across generations.
Cseriti vintage shop: how items can find new owners and continue their stories through reuse.
Corvinus Sóház and Bálna: how Budapest’s commercial and warehousing heritage connects with new uses for buildings.

At each stop, teams faced a different photography challenge: capturing a noteworthy design detail, showing the value of repair, choosing an item they would give a second life, or bringing the old and the new together in a single image.
Teams earned bonus points for using shared mobility, highlighting another important aspect of circularity: prioritising access over ownership.
At the end of the programme, everyone met at the Zwack Unicum House for a factory tour and tasting. The historic site, still home to Unicum production, offered another example of how industrial heritage can be preserved and put to continued use.

MATE and ProfiKomp – The Biological Cycle in Practice

How can biological waste become a valuable resource again? As part of Circular Economy Hotspot Budapest 2026, participants visited ProfiKomp® Group and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) in Gödöllő to see the biological cycle in practice.
At ProfiKomp®, the focus was on the engineering solutions used for the aerobic treatment of biodegradable materials, drawing on the company’s decades of experience in composting and waste management.
MATE’s composting facility and Bioeconomy Demonstration Centre gave participants a closer look at how organic waste can be processed and used locally, closing the biological loop.
The visit offered insight into how the biological cycle works and showed how advanced technologies and practical expertise can return valuable organic matter to economic and natural cycles.

We would like to thank our hosts and partners for their warm hospitality and for sharing these inspiring examples with us.

08.10.2026

The European Circular Economy Hotspot in Budapest closed with a clear message: recycling alone is not enough—we must rethink how the economy works.

News

The circular economy is no longer just about what happens to waste. It is also about how many raw materials we use, how we design our products and the business decisions we make. At the European Circular Economy Hotspot in Budapest, nearly 300 participants from more than 20 countries across four continents joined international experts and business leaders to explore why recycling alone is not enough—and what is preventing proven solutions from being adopted more widely.

The idea behind the circular economy is simple: products and materials should not become waste too soon, but remain in use for as long as possible. Putting more recycling bins in place, however, is far from enough to make this happen. If material use continues to grow, products have shorter lifespans and virgin materials remain cheaper than recycled ones, the system itself will not fundamentally change.

Waste Is Only Half the Problem

One of the conference’s central messages was that recycling alone is not enough: raw material use must also be reduced. Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel, which operates under the United Nations Environment Programme, noted that the EU’s circular material use rate has improved by just one percentage point over the past 15 years. Peter Börkey, the OECD’s Head of Circular Economy, highlighted the scale of the challenge: only around one tenth of plastics are recycled, while the rate for rare earth elements is less than one per cent.

Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, said regulation is also needed to drive change, as companies tend to choose the option that makes the most economic sense. In France, for example, regulations are encouraging the use of reusable products, including in food retail.

Circularity Is Also a Competitiveness Issue

The linear economy creates environmental pressures and growing business risks: volatile raw material prices, supply chain disruptions and regulatory uncertainty can all make it harder for companies to operate. Quentin Drewell, Senior Director at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), said circularity therefore needs to be embedded in corporate strategy and financial decision-making.

The aim is for companies to measure not only how much waste they generate, but also how dependent they are on a continuous supply of virgin raw materials. This makes circular operations a strategic issue—not only as a sustainability commitment, but also in terms of costs, security of supply and access to finance. The conference also heard that Hungary plans to join the global protocol’s pilot programme.

Collaboration Is Key

The panel discussion “No Circularity Alone – Collaboration as a Strategic Competitive Advantage,” moderated by Freek van Eijk, CEO of Holland Circular Hotspot, and featuring Prof. David Greenfield, Vice President of the Circular Economy Institute and Managing Director of SOENECS; Márta Irén, Managing Director of BCSDH; and Vojtech Vosecky, founder of The Circular Economist, concluded that the transition to a circular economy cannot be achieved by any single company. Collaboration across value chains, knowledge sharing and a predictable regulatory environment are essential to turn individual initiatives into systemic change.

The panel discussion “Projects Seeking Financing,” moderated by Gábor Gyura of the Hungarian Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (HuSIF), focused on a key question: how does the financial sector assess the opportunities presented by the circular economy, and what does it take for a project to become investment-ready? Participants Kaan Tasyürek, Head of Sectors at ING Bank N.V. Hungary Branch; Ferenc Kis, Energy Sector Engineer at the European Investment Bank (EIB); and Jihae Ko, Analyst in the Sustainable Business & Infrastructure team at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), agreed that delivering circular investments depends on collaboration between businesses and financial institutions, as well as a shared understanding of investment risks and financing conditions. This can help bring innovative solutions into practice and support their wider adoption.

From Clothing Swaps to Industrial Waste Management

The circular economy is not limited to industrial technologies or corporate strategies. A fashion show by Fashion Revolution Hungary highlighted how extending the life of clothing, repairing and swapping garments, and recycling textiles can help reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact. Universities, start-ups and companies also presented their innovations at the conference—as exhibitors and in short pitches.

From Climate to Design

The session “The Big Picture: Can the Circular Transition Help Tackle Climate Change?”, moderated by Márta Irén, Managing Director of BCSDH, explored how rethinking material flows can help reduce emissions, strengthen security of supply and build business resilience. Roundtable participants Dr Dóra Fazekas, Managing Director of Cambridge Econometrics; Anita Simon, Managing Director of ALTEO Circular; and László Vadas, CEO of Cyclosteel, agreed that collaboration is essential to closing material loops.

The session “Digitalisation in the Service of the Circular Economy – From Data to Decisions,” moderated by Dr Viktória Bodnár, Managing Director of IFUA Horváth & Partners, showcased practical digital solutions that can extend the life of equipment, track construction materials and return valuable resources to the circular economy. The discussion between Evelin Keresztesi-Molnár, Head of Control Systems, Digitalisation and Nuclear I&C at Siemens Energy Hungary; Ádám Dálnoki, CEO of BauApp; and Martin Basila, CEO and Co-Founder of Sensoneo, highlighted the key role of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in advancing the circular economy. They also emphasised that the real business value of digital solutions depends on reliable, accessible and well-integrated data.

The session “Refuse and Reduce First?”, led by Gábor Arató, Managing Director of Manupackaging International Ltd., explored a fundamental question for the circular economy: how can we genuinely reduce environmental impacts, and what should we ask before production begins Participants Dr Alexandra Köves, ecological economist at Corvinus University of Budapest; Dóra Kasza, Strategic Director at Jász-Plasztik Ltd.; Tivadar Runtág, Strategy and Sustainability Director at MOHU Plc; and Dr Ádám Vida, representing Edortech and the Bay Zoltán Research Centre, agreed that the first step towards a circular economy is not recycling, but avoiding unnecessary production and material use. They stressed that product design should take into account genuine needs, functionality and environmental impacts across the entire life cycle.

The session “From Idea to Circularity: Intentional Design for a Regenerative Future,” moderated by Dalma Berkovics, a board member of French Tech Budapest, explored how design decisions shape products, business models and the systems that keep resources in use for as long as possible. The discussion between Dániel Barcza, Professor and Head of Sustainability at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME); Barbora Kotoun, Global Sustainability Manager for Circular Economy at IKEA; Richárd Nagy, Founder and Owner of COANDCO.cc and i8.agency; and Gergely Zámbó, Managing Director of Respray, concluded that circular innovation depends on rethinking business models, fostering cross-sector collaboration and testing solutions in practice.

The session “Closing the Loop on Organic Matter – Circular Use of Food and Biomass,” led by Dr György Fekete, Director of the Circular Economy Analysis Centre at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), presented four complementary approaches: regenerative agriculture, food rescue, the valorisation of by-products and the biological treatment of organic waste. Péter Noszek, Managing Director of Nestlé Hungária; Balázs Cseh, Founder and President of the Hungarian Food Bank Association; Marianna Pinczés, Managing Director of Grapoila; and László Aleksza, Founder and Managing Director of Profikomp, agreed that preserving the value of organic resources requires collaboration among stakeholders, efficient logistics and adherence to the waste hierarchy. The priority is to prevent food loss and recover materials at the highest possible value, while composting returns nutrients to the cycle at the final stage.

The session “Build Less, Build Smarter! – Circularity in the Built Environment of the Future,” led by Dr Bálint Bartha-Horváth, Associate Director at CBRE Hungary, explored how to rethink buildings across their entire life cycle—from questioning the need for new construction to extending the life of existing spaces and building materials. János Kocsány, Member of the Board of Directors of Graphisoft Park SE; Ádám Bihari, Managing Director of NaturARCH; Csaba Livják, Managing Director of BuildEXT Ltd.; and Gergely Sándor, Founder and Managing Director of Viador Átrium Group, agreed that the first step towards a circular construction sector is to make more effective use of existing buildings. Renovation, adaptive reuse, shared use of spaces and the reuse of building materials can significantly reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.

This Is Just the Beginning

“The transition to a circular economy cannot stop at recycling, nor can we treat it as a series of isolated corporate projects. To achieve real change, circularity must become part of corporate strategies, financing decisions and day-to-day operations. One of the key messages of the Hotspot in Budapest was that the circular transition is now less of a technological challenge and more of a challenge of collaboration. One of its greatest achievements was bringing international experts, Hungarian companies and the financial sector together on a shared platform for three days, creating an opportunity to work together to find solutions,” said Márta Irén, Managing Director of BCSDH.

The Budapest event, organised by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) and the Circular Economy Platform, focused not only on recycling technologies but also on how the economy can operate using fewer raw materials. Alongside existing solutions, this requires rules, financing conditions and corporate decisions that make circularity a natural part of business operations rather than a standalone initiative. New initiatives have been launched based on the opportunities identified, dialogue is continuing and the first signs of collaboration have emerged. The work begun here will continue within the Circular Economy Platform.

07.10.2026

A Sound-Absorbing Wall Made from Wool Waste Wins the 2026 Sustainable Tulip Award as the European Circular Economy Hotspot Opens in Budapest

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An acoustic wall panel made from recycled wool waste, Hungary’s first social farm and a patented plastics recycling process were among the initiatives recognised at the European Circular Economy Hotspot in Budapest, with awards going to a university, a civil society organisation and a business. The grand prize of this year’s Sustainable Tulip Award, established by the Embassy of the Netherlands, was also presented on the opening day of the three-day conference.

Willem van Ee, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Hungary, presented the awards. The jury noted that the grand prize-winning project demonstrates how waste can be transformed into a valuable resource. Soundwool panels are made entirely from regional wool waste, using a production process that saves energy and water. Their natural dyes are made from local invasive plants. The project’s creators received the award on 5 October, the opening day of the European Circular Economy Hotspot in Budapest.

In addition to the grand prize, the jury presented two special awards. One went to Beyond Packaging, which aims to reduce plastic waste through a patented chemical process. The project is still at the pilot stage, but the jury believes it has significant potential impact and is an excellent example of collaboration between academia and industry. The consortium brings together Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Jász-Plasztik and IMSYS.

The other special award went to a project by the Symbiosis Foundation in Miskolc, developed at Baráthegyi Majorság, Hungary’s first social farm. The project received the maximum score from every jury member in both the environmental and social impact category and the collaboration and ecosystem-building category. The jury also highlighted the Foundation’s strong social commitment and its exemplary integration of circularity and social inclusion.

At the opening event, Márta Irén, Managing Director of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH), which organised the three-day European Circular Economy Hotspot Budapest, formally handed over the baton to Brno, Czechia, host city of the 2027 Hotspot. The organisers were represented by Tomas Sloboda.

Alongside the award ceremony, the European host locations for the 2028 Hotspot were announced. In two years, part of the event will take place in Estonia and Lithuania, hosted by Baltic Circular Hotspot. Bucharest will be the other venue, with hosting rights awarded to the Circular Economy Coalition. Speaking on behalf of the event’s organiser, Holland Circular Hotspot, its director Freek van Eijk highlighted the need for more local initiatives to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, bringing more regions across Europe into focus.

You can find more photos from the event in the gallery.

07.10.2026