To the delight of nature lovers, the Theodora Nature Trail has been completely renewed after two decades, thanks to an exemplary collaboration between Szentkirályi Magyarország and the Balaton-Uplands National Park. The development is one of the key elements of the company’s Green Factory Program, proving that economic operation and nature conservation can exist in harmony and strengthen each other.
Szentkirályi Magyarország’s plant in Kékkút — where the popular Theodora Calcia mineral waters are bottled — operates in a unique environment, in the heart of the Balaton-felvidéki National Park. This proximity is both a source of inspiration and a responsibility: the factory aims to operate in harmony with the surrounding landscape and leave the smallest possible ecological footprint.
This exemplary project, which resulted in the complete renewal of the Theodora Nature Trail after twenty years, was realized here. The development, created through the cooperation between Szentkirályi Magyarország and the Balaton-felvidéki National Park, goes beyond a simple tourism investment: it sends a clear message that economic growth and nature conservation can complement, rather than oppose, each other.
When we think of a factory, we usually imagine a noisy place full of machines – but in Kékkút, a different path was consciously chosen. The company’s management decided to operate a facility that blends into nature, does not burden its environment, and even enriches it. With this mindset, Szentkirályi Magyarország launched its Green Factory Program in 2022, built on six pillars: energetics, waste management, pollution reduction, biodiversity protection, water stewardship, and environmental education.
Next to the Kékkút plant lies the country’s oldest mineral water well. The most important rule of water management here is the balance: only as much water is extracted as is naturally replenished. The amount of water reserves is continuously monitored using observation wells. A wetland has also been created in the factory courtyard, where so-called grey water from the plant is directed. This not only helps retain water locally but also provides a refuge for local wildlife.
The company’s energy-saving efforts are also tangible: gas-powered forklifts have been replaced with electric ones, and with the planned installation of rooftop solar panels, these vehicles will soon run on solar energy. The machinery is continuously being modernized, with outdated equipment replaced by more energy-efficient models. Decommissioned machines are not simply discarded – their parts are reused, just as packaging materials are recycled and reintroduced into circulation through partner companies.
Although factory operations naturally involve light and noise emissions and air pollution, Szentkirályi Magyarország minimizes these impacts as well. The site uses downward-facing lighting fixtures to avoid disturbing nocturnal birds and insects, and truck routes are optimized to reduce the burden on nearby settlements as much as possible.
To preserve biodiversity, the plant has established several habitats: the artificial pond in the factory courtyard has become a favorite meeting place for dragonflies, water bugs, and birds, while a former pile of rubble has been transformed into a home for swallows, bats, and insects. Birdhouses, insect hotels, and meadows planted with native species around the site further support the local ecosystem.
In implementing the program, the company works closely with the Balaton-felvidéki National Park Directorate, jointly developing nature conservation projects.
Thus, the Kékkút plant has become a model of responsible operation — now enhanced with yet another valuable initiative.
The 7-kilometer-long Theodora Nature Trail showcases the natural and geological treasures of the Káli Basin. The route leads from hundreds-of-millions-year-old red sandstone formations, through the rich wildlife of the Sásdi Stream, to the surroundings of Lake Kornyi, where numerous protected plant and animal species can be observed. The renewed trail offers an experience for visitors of all ages. Guests can not only enjoy the beauty of the landscape but also gain new knowledge about sustainability and environmental protection. Alongside the information boards, interactive features and online content further enhance the learning experience.
The audio guide for the trail is narrated by Pál Mácsai, Kossuth and Jászai Mari Award-winning actor, allowing even those with reading difficulties or visual impairments to share in the experience. The meeting of nature and art gives the trail a special atmosphere, making it accessible and inclusive for everyone.
The renewal of the Theodora Nature Trail is the result of the joint work of Szentkirályi Magyarország and the Balaton-Upland National Park. The company’s financial support and the Park’s professional guidance have created a partnership that ensures the long-term presentation and preservation of the region’s natural values.
At the opening of the trail, Ferenc Nemere, Director of Szentkirályi Magyarország’s Kékkút plant, said:
“Our goal is for our factory to blend into nature — not only to minimize its environmental impact but to actively support the enrichment of its surroundings. We are convinced that economic success and environmental protection are not contradictory concepts.”
The renewal of the Theodora Nature Trail is a tribute to the past, a commitment to nature, and a responsibility toward the future. With this, the company once again demonstrates that nature and humanity can grow together — when decisions are guided by awareness, expertise, and long-term thinking.
