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Sustainable, regenerable adsorbent-based arsenic removal technology

Drinking water source contamination by arsenic remains a significant challenge in the Danube region. Long-term safe drinking water supply can only be ensured through modern, sustainable, and cost-efficient water treatment technologies.

Alongside traditional, chemical-intensive arsenic removal methods, regenerable adsorbent technologies are gaining increasing importance. These specialized filter materials are capable of efficiently removing both arsenic (III) and arsenic (V), while the adsorbent material itself can be reused multiple times. The regeneration process generates only minimal hazardous waste, thereby supporting the principles of the circular economy.

Regenerable adsorbent systems offer not only environmental but also economic advantages. According to life-cycle cost analyses, they provide lower long-term operational and waste management costs compared to conventional solutions. This is particularly important for EU-funded water utility developments, where sustainable operation and long-term cost efficiency are key requirements.

The Pureco Group is a leading water industry player in the region. Puraset Ltd., a member of the group, manufactures proprietary regenerable arsenic removal filter media and has extensive domestic and international references in the field of drinking water arsenic removal. The company’s technologies provide a modern, long-term, and economically sustainable solution to the growing demand for sustainable water treatment systems.

In future water utility developments, it is becoming increasingly important that investments are not only cost-effective in the short term, but also ensure stable operation, environmental sustainability, and safe drinking water supply over decades. Regenerable adsorbent technologies can play a key role in achieving these goals.

Biogas today – Far more than an alternative renewable technology

„What makes biogas particularly important is that it is not simply an energy technology, but a complete circular economic system connecting waste management, renewable energy production, agricultural nutrient recovery, and carbon reduction.”

This was one of the key messages shared by Anita Simon, Deputy CEO responsible for Sustainability and Circular Economy at ALTEO, at the Budapest Biogas Summit 2026. She presented how ALTEO has transformed biogas operations into a fully traceable, audited, and economically sustainable circular energy model.

Food industry rejects, expired products, agricultural by-products, and organic waste streams can all be safely processed within a controlled system, transforming waste into renewable electricity, heat, biomethane, and agricultural nutrients.

Companies – especially retail chains and manufacturers – are increasingly making decisions based on ESG considerations, and biogas gives them the opportunity to combine their waste management with the use of green energy. Good examples show that up to 800–1000 tons of packaging material per year can be used for energy recovery instead of landfilling.

 

Coca-Cola HBC Hungary enhances its logistics system with alternative fuel vehicles

Coca-Cola HBC Hungary is working on the implementation of modern logistics solutions that not only improve operational efficiency but also help reduce environmental impact. This effort forms part of the company’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. Through the continuous development of its vehicle fleet, the company is exploring and applying the potential of various alternative fuel technologies within a complex, nationwide distribution network.

In recent years, Coca-Cola HBC Hungary has taken conscious steps to ensure that sustainable technologies play an increasingly important role in its logistics operations. By modernising its vehicle fleet and gradually integrating alternative fuel transport solutions, the company aims to reduce environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and preserving the operational reliability of a large-scale, complex system.

The nationwide distribution network, built around two domestic production plants – Dunaharaszti and Zalaszentgrót – and eight logistics centres, was previously served entirely by a diesel-powered vehicle fleet. In recent years, alternative fuel vehicles have been gradually integrated into this system: alongside the LNG-powered and electric trucks operated by transport partners, electric trucks and vans have also been added to the company’s own fleet.

This development is particularly significant because Coca-Cola HBC Hungary’s logistics operations simultaneously serve short- and long-distance transportation needs, customer orders, inter-depot goods transfers and urban distribution. Thanks to their range of 850–900 kilometres, LNG-powered trucks are primarily used for depot-to-depot transport and long-distance customer deliveries, while electric trucks with a range of approximately 300 kilometres play an important role in distribution tasks in Budapest and the surrounding areas. Based on experience to date, alternative fuel vehicles can be integrated into the system reliably: their operation does not require higher expenditure, and their failure rates do not differ significantly from those of conventional vehicles. In the long term, the initiative forms part of a phased development roadmap supporting gradual transition, through which the company is expanding its low-emission fleet and further strengthening its sustainable logistics operations based on practical experience.

At present, the green vehicle fleet supporting logistics operations includes three LNG-powered and three electric trucks operated by transport partners, while the company’s own fleet comprises two electric trucks and six electric vans supporting daily operations. The company continuously monitors vehicle mileage and estimates the emission reductions achieved using alternative fuel technologies compared to diesel vehicles. Between 2023 and 2025, alternative fuel vehicles used in Coca-Cola HBC Hungary’s logistics system covered nearly 943,000 kilometres, resulting in CO₂ savings of more than 335 tonnes.

“Applying alternative fuel vehicles in a complex transportation system creates real value only if they operate in a stable and reliable manner during everyday logistics tasks. Our experience shows that LNG and electric solutions can be used effectively even alongside diverse transportation demands, which provides an important foundation for further developments in this area,” said Viktor Vig, Project Manager.

Data and practical experience gathered during operation – from consumption and route optimization to the use of charging infrastructure – also support the planning of future developments.

As part of the greening of the Coca-Cola HBC fleet, the company will replace all gas-powered forklifts with electric forklifts at its Dunaharaszti site in 2026, and since last year its passenger car fleet has consisted exclusively of electric and hybrid vehicles.

The company’s goal is to build on the experience gained and continuous developments in order to remain at the forefront of the adoption of low-emission logistics solutions in Hungary over the long term.

 

Animal lovers unite: nearly 12 tonnes of dry dog and cat food collected during SPAR Hungary’s and the National Animal Welfare Foundation’s pet food donation campaign

A significant amount of pet food was collected during the sixth joint pet food donation campaign organised by SPAR Hungary and the National Animal Welfare Foundation. During the “Paw in Trouble!” (Mancs a bajban!) initiative, held in INTERSPAR stores on 16-17 May 2026, customers donated nearly 12 tonnes of dry dog and cat food to support animals cared for by civil animal welfare organisations. In addition, SPAR contributed a further HUF 1 million in support of animal welfare.

Animal lovers from across the country joined the weekend collection effort: shoppers were able to donate pet food and other useful animal care products selected during their shopping to volunteers representing participating organisations in INTERSPAR stores. The collected donations were delivered directly to animal welfare organisations, where they provide essential support for day-to-day care. Initiatives like this are crucial, as the donated food often covers the animals’ daily needs for an extended period, allowing organisations to dedicate more attention and resources to veterinary care and the development of their shelters.

During this year’s “Paw in Trouble!” pet food donation weekend, INTERSPAR customers provided a substantial amount of support for animals living under the care of animal welfare organisations. For dogs, more than 9 tonnes of dry food, 5,530 tins and pouches of wet food, and 382 dog salamis were donated. For cats, customers contributed nearly 2.5 tonnes of dry food, 11,100 tins and pouches of wet food, as well as almost 1.1 tonnes of cat litter. In addition, a large quantity of animal care equipment and cleaning products was collected.

“Once again, our customers’ participation has shown that animal welfare is an important cause for many people in Hungary. It is of great value to SPAR Magyarország that the community so actively supports the work of animal welfare organisations. The donations collected provide genuine assistance in the organisations’ day-to-day activities,” said Márk Maczelka, head of communications at SPAR Hungary

This year, more than 30 civil animal welfare organisations accepted customer donations in INTERSPAR stores.

“For us, a collection like this means far more than a simple donation. Animal welfare organisations often operate with very limited resources, so every single bag of food or tin of pet food provides real help in caring for the animals. We are grateful to everyone who took the time and care to contribute towards improving the living conditions of rescued dogs and

cats,” emphasised Katalin Schreiter, spokesperson for the National Animal Welfare Foundation.

In addition to this campaign, customers in SPAR and INTERSPAR stores can meet and support civil animal welfare organisations throughout the year on a month-by-month basis through further donation initiatives. Information about the locations and dates of upcoming collections is available on SPAR’s dedicated online platform: www.sparafenntarthatojovoert.hu/mancsabajban.

 

Long-Term Goals and Purpose-Driven Initiatives at the BCSDH Social Capital Hub

What can a company do for people along its value chain? This was the opening question at the recent meeting of the BCSDH Social Capital Creative Hub, which was hosted by Lidl Hungary on May 13, 2026.

Guests were welcomed by Zita Szlavikovics, Managing Director of Lidl Hungary.

At the beginning of the meeting, presentations by Dorottya Takács, HR Director, and Szabina Seregi, CSR Manager, gave us insight into the diversity of Lidl’s social activities. The company implements numerous initiatives not only for its employees but also for external stakeholders, as they believe that “it is truly worth valuing human worth.”

Following the presentation, an exciting, inspiring, and open discussion began, covering the implementation of long-term sustainability goals, the measurement of these goals, as well as the role and significance of “purpose-driven initiatives.”

In the second part of the meeting, Dr. József Kolossa presented the results of last November’s Future Planning process, highlighting the values that connect the members of our community and form the basis of our shared thinking.

Electrification slowing down, sales above the EU average: this was CEE automotive market in 2025

Despite the turbulent economic conditions, the automotive market in Central and Eastern Europe showed growth in 2025 that exceeded expectations and outpaced Western Europe. In the coming years, hybrid powertrains and Chinese brands are expected to gain further ground, as their goal is to establish a dominant global presence and demonstrate leadership in electrification technology, with Europe serving as a springboard – according to a report compiled by AutoWallis for the third time. As a leading integrated mobility service provider in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, AutoWallis is present in 17 countries with 30 brands, giving it a comprehensive view of the processes and trends in Hungary and neighboring countries, which they summarize in their regular CEE Automotive Report.

AutoWallis operates in Central and Eastern Europe, which is why their industry analysis focuses primarily on this region. The company is present in 17 countries (Austria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Greece, Croatia, Kosovo, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Slovakia) with wholesale and retail operations for vehicles and parts, as well as mobility services, representing 30 brands and boasting over three decades of automotive industry experience. AutoWallis’ growth strategy therefore focuses on this region, as it is in this environment with high growth potential that the group’s experts possess knowledge and value-creating capabilities that surpass those of its competitors.

The CEE Automotive Report 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the region’s automotive markets in 2025 and their growth potential for the coming period. In addition to a country-by-country breakdown, the report examines the market share of various powertrains (ICE, BEV, PHEV, HEV, etc.), analyzes the regional passenger car and light commercial vehicle fleets, and forecasts the expected trends in the automotive market for 2026. In compiling the report, in addition to the ACEA database, data from Datahouse, the European Commission, and the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) were used to conduct a detailed analysis of neighboring markets to create the most comprehensive regional overview possible.

The share of electric powertrains among new cars continued to grow

In terms of new passenger car registrations, countries in the CEE region saw a 7.7% increase, compared to the EU average of 1.8%. Within the region, Austria had the highest growth rate (12.3%), but the performance of the Slovenian (8.6%) and Polish (8.3%) markets was also notable. Slovakia was the only country in the region to record a decline (-0.3%). Of the 27 EU member states, 19 markets showed a positive trend compared to 2024, although the volume varies significantly by country.

At the same time, registrations of battery electric passenger cars (BEVs) increased by an average of 29.7% in Europe in 2025, with the European Union showing a 29.9% increase. Looking at the CEE region average, registrations of pure electric cars significantly exceed even the EU’s average growth rate (53.3%). Poland achieved the highest growth in electric vehicles in 2025, registering more than two and a half times as many such passenger cars (161.5%).

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) remained the third most popular choice among buyers in the EU in 2025, behind hybrids and gasoline-powered cars. In the CEE region, hybrid-electric vehicles are also the most popular (37.8%), closely followed by gasoline-powered cars (33.7%). Unlike in the EU, fully electric cars are the fourth most popular (9.1%), trailing diesel vehicles (11%), according to an analysis by AutoWallis.

The Hungarian market offers a wealth of opportunities

The 4.2 million passenger cars on Hungarian roads represent the second-oldest fleet in the EU (16.5 years), and the number of cars per 1,000 inhabitants is the second lowest in the EU (445). Similar to passenger cars, the average age of light commercial vehicles (521,000 units) is also high (13.2 years), which highlights the lag in the business sector.

In 2025, the Hungarian passenger car market performed between the EU and regional averages: a 6.4% increase compared to the previous year translates to 129,000 newly registered cars. Lagging behind the EU’s 17.4% figure, the share of electric cars was 8.5%, nearly matching the CEE region’s average. Although electric car sales increased compared to the previous year (28.5%), the rate of growth remained below the EU average. Registrations of light commercial vehicles decreased by 4.5% (23,700 units), while registrations of purely electric vehicles within this segment increased by 60.1%.

2026 will be no less turbulent: ongoing (tariff) wars, unstable supply chains, government subsidies

The direct and indirect effects of escalating international conflicts, various protective tariffs and sanctions affecting major raw material-supplying countries, as well as the impact of major international routes (commercial shipping, air corridors) pose significant challenges on their own, but their combined presence makes economic planning more difficult globally, including in Europe.

The automotive industry remains heavily dependent on Chinese battery materials, Asian chip manufacturers, and global logistics routes. Geopolitical tensions (US-China, EU-China, Middle East) could disrupt production at any time. Soaring oil prices due to the war in Iran, as well as uncertain and increasingly expensive transportation (in terms of both cost and time), are expected to drive up costs for automakers (OEMs), which will manifest in even higher new car prices and general inflationary pressure. AutoWallis expects manufacturers to respond to these bottlenecks by focusing on higher-margin models, while in the longer term, they may accelerate the development of regionalized production and warehousing.

Growing market pressure and China’s continued expansion

While European manufacturers, who have fallen behind in both capacity and development and are under market pressure, China has been the world’s largest auto exporter since 2023. At the same time, Europe is one of the world’s most profitable car markets, with high purchasing power and strong demand for EVs. It is no wonder that Europe has become an extremely attractive and important target for Chinese OEMs, and a central element of China’s export strategy. Despite the EU launching an anti-subsidy investigation and imposing punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs, manufacturers have remained competitive, and exporting to Europe remains profitable even with the tariffs. Chinese manufacturers are particularly strong in the electric vehicle sector; according to the consensus among analysts, they have a competitive advantage of approximately 3–5 years in the field of electrification. At the same time, the segment of plug-in hybrids with extra-long range is gaining ground, as there are currently no additional tariffs on plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, unlike on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).

However, Europe is important to Chinese manufacturers not only because of its sales potential, but also as a valuable benchmark: if a model meets the EU’s notoriously strict safety and environmental standards, it lends strong credibility to the brand globally, including in their other export markets. Success in Europe is key to their global ambitions. Among the major Chinese brands, only a few are currently strong in Europe, but numerous other manufacturers are planning a vigorous market offensive over the next 12 months. We can therefore expect Chinese models to continue gaining ground in the European market, with the emergence of dedicated “budget EV” models – similar to the Japanese kei-car concept.

 

AutoWallis expands their portfolio with electric brands

Geely in Austria

AutoWallis is further strengthening its portfolio with another leading brand after signing a distribution agreement for Austria with China’s Geely Auto. The agreement covers the Austrian distribution rights of the Geely brand this time. With this step, AutoWallis further expands the number of brands it represents and strengthens its cooperation with the world’s eighth largest vehicle manufacturer, while further diversifying its position in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Geely brand will enter the Austrian market in 2026 with two models and two types of powertrains: the E5, and the Starray EM-I models are a mid-range, elegant yet distinctive SUV. E5’s design has earned several prestigious international awards, including the Red Dot Award, the MUSE Design Award, the IDA Design Award, and the A’ Design Award. E5 has an outstanding drag coefficient of 0.269 and will be available with a 60.22 kWh battery pack, promising a WLTP range of 430 km, while the plug-in hybrid model with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and 18.4 kWh battery has a total output of 217 hp and a range of approximately 940 km.

 

 

XPENG in Romania

AutoWallis, the leading integrated car dealer and mobility service provider in the CEE region, has reached a tripartite agreement with its Portuguese partner, the Salvador Caetano Group and the innovative, AI-focused Chinese car manufacturer XPENG to become the importer of XPENG in Romania. This agreement is built on the foundations of the already ongoing cooperation in three other CEE countries (Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia) in 2025 with the innovative, AI-focused Chinese car manufacturer. Sales in the fourth market is expected to start early this summer.

The brand is at the forefront of the new energy car revolution: the quality of their cars is competing with the world’s leading premium manufacturers, and its technological superiority is outstanding in areas such as artificial intelligence, ultra-fast charging or advanced autonomous driving.

Commenting on this recent milestone, Gábor Ormosy, CEO of AutoWallis highlighted, that “We are delighted that XPENG has entrusted AutoWallis and our partner Salvador Caetano with a fourth market, especially given that Romania is the second most populous country in Central Eastern Europe. Compared to the three markets where we already started operations in 2025, Romania represents an additional sales volume opportunity of around 60%.”

Three MGFÜ publications are already helping SMEs with ESG issues

A key objective of the Hungarian Economic Development Agency (MGFÜ) is to expand and develop Hungarian businesses’ knowledge of ESG and to prepare companies affected by the ESG Act to meet reporting requirements.

The MGFÜ is helping businesses navigate the world of ESG with three free publications in Hungarian, enabling them to easily, quickly, and clearly integrate the regulations into their day-to-day operations:

  • ESG Basics 1: Corporate sustainability and ESG fundamentals, overview of the legal framework
  • ESG Basics 2: ESG criteria and reporting systems, disclosure of ESG activities and obtaining ratings
  • ESG Basics 3: Data collection and analysis, data reporting

Additional publications are in preparation, which will assist businesses in various areas. The publications already released are available here.

Source: MGFÜ, vali.hu

Credible leaders, exemplary actions and innovative business solutions for systemic change – Inspiration Breakfast with the Winners of the “For a Sustainable Future” Award

The application period for the 2026 “For a Sustainable Future” Award opens on 18 May. In connection with this, and to encourage action and the achievement of sustainable corporate operations, the “For a Sustainable Future” Inspiration Breakfast was held on 6 May 2026, organized by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH).

The event, which provided an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the winners of the 2025 award established to recognize outstanding individual and corporate achievements in the field of corporate sustainability, was hosted by Balázs Sepsey, Office Managing Partner of KINSTELLAR, who welcomed participants to the gathering.

 „The world to which we adapted our companies, business models and systems no longer exists. Challenges are intensifying, and companies are already experiencing the growing impacts of climate change in their day-to-day operations. This makes rapid action and the transformation of our systems into more sustainable and resilient ones essential,” said Attila Chikán Jr., President of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH), in his opening remarks. “With the ‘For a Sustainable Future’ Award and this event, our aim is to inspire companies and their leaders to integrate sustainability considerations into their decision-making and to develop business solutions that go beyond business as usual. By scaling these solutions across the wider business community, we can achieve real, broad impact and accelerate systemic change,” he added.

Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH and moderator of the event, emphasized that “we are continuously seeking ways to accelerate sustainability processes and support business leaders in initiating systemic change.” One of the explicit goals of the Inspiration Breakfast was to showcase previous award winners as credible change leaders, as well as to present creative business models and solutions in order to inspire outstanding applications during the 10th edition of the “For a Sustainable Future” Award, whose application period runs from 18 May to 18 July 2026.

Achieving truly sustainable operations embedded at a strategic level and throughout the entire company is unimaginable without credible, committed leaders and outstanding companies.The executive roundtable discussion with the 2025 individual award winners explored the background of the applications and the personal motivations behind their dedication and commitment. The discussion was moderated by Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH, and featured:

  • László Fazekas, Deputy CEO for Economic Affairs of MVM Zrt.,
  • Tamás Kaibinger, Managing Director of Lidl Hungary,
  • Rudolf Semsei, Owner and Managing Director of VakVarjú Restaurants, Budapest Party Service and Dobay Confectioneries,
  • and Ágnes Rakó, Managing Director and Partner of KPMG Advisory Ltd..

Business solutions that go beyond business as usual and can be scaled, adapted and extended to other actors in the business sector are key drivers of systemic change. The following award-winning solutions from 2025 were presented and discussed:

  • the Grundfos Green Future Innovation Program, presented by environmental engineer Szilvia Gärtner,
  • and the HEINEKEN Net Zero Production program, presented by OpCo Chief engineer Gábor Ligeti.

In 2026, BCSDH will once again launch the “For a Sustainable Future” Award between 18 May and 18 July, continuing to focus on areas where companies can have a significant impact on transforming systems, across the following four main categories:

For a Sustainable Future Award 2026

In 2026, BCSDH will once again launch the “For a Sustainable Future” Award between 18 May and 18 July, continuing to focus on areas where companies can have a significant impact on transforming systems, across the following four main categories:

  1. Change Leader – Award for outstanding leadership by example and responsibility-taking
    Change Leader Award – BCSDH
  2. Leading Woman
    Leading Woman Award – BCSDH
  3. Corporate Transformation – Award for the greatest progress made towards achieving sustainable operations
    Corporate Transformation Award – BCSDH
  4. Business Model / Business Solution
    in one of the following areas:
      • Circular Economy
      • Climate Protection and Adaptation
      • Biodiversity Preservation and Restoration
      • Human Value

Business Solution Award – BCSDH

How is the business sector responding to climate change? – the experiences of the Race to Zero working group, from mitigation and adaptation to resilience

The built environment plays a key role in both achieving climate-neutral operations and building resilience—this was one of the main messages from the BCSDH Race to Zero working group on May 5.

The event was opened by Irén Márta, managing director of the BCSDH, and Zsolt Hintenberger, founding partner of the host company Realiscon. In their opening remarks, they emphasized that companies play an indispensable role in combating climate change, particularly through the built environment.

   

Tímea Fazekas, Business Development Manager at Realiscon, explained what sustainability in the built environment means to the company, emphasizing the importance of landscape architecture and the restoration and creation of natural habitats.

A presentation by our cooperating partner, Deloitte, on the latest findings of the Towards Net Zero survey conducted among member companies provided a comprehensive overview of corporate trends. In her presentation, Senior Manager Flóra Borek highlighted that member companies are increasingly focusing on mitigation and adaptation, yet the assessment and strategic integration of climate risks still require improvement in many cases.

The Towards Net survey conducted among member companies provided a comprehensive overview of corporate trends. Gábor Roszik, Quality  Manager at Colas Magyarország Zrt., presented on sustainability issues in infrastructure and road construction. His presentation revealed that carbon-conscious solutions and resilience have become critical factors not only from an environmental perspective but also, unequivocally, from a business perspective. Changes taking place in the industry indicate that climate risk analysis now forms the basis for strategic decisions.

The program continued with moderated panel discussions, where participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and practical solutions. As the group discussed these issues, it became clear that responses to climate change are now matters of competitiveness, and that engaging the entire value chain and raising awareness remain significant challenges.

The official part of the event concluded with an informal discussion, which further strengthened the potential for cooperation in the field of sustainability.

Thanks for our Race to Zero program sponsors!

Sponsor of our carbon-conscious events:

Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary
1118 Budapest, Ménesi street 9/a.

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