Annual conference of Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises was held on 20-21st of September in Bikal in the central theme of "21st century challenges of the environmental industry”, where IFKA’s Green Economy unit had participated. IFKA Public Benefit Non-profit Ltd. for the Development of Industry supports the Association as an associated member.
The professional program started in Kaposvár, where Zsombor Bohri deputy mayor and Katalin Kovács environmental protection office manager presented the city’s results of environmental protection and sustainability, as well as the implemented and planned developments. The city’s aim is to become an energy independent city; the Action Plan that extends to 2050 covers the necessary measures and required tasks and actions.
Thereafter we visited the city’s gas buses and the biogas unit of Kaposvár Sugar Plant where Judit Szendefy presented the technology process. The organic matter – the by-product of the processing of sugar beet – is fermented by bacteria and biogas is produced by this process. The biogas covers the factory’s energy supply and fuels the bus fleet, so they try to close the material circle.
The conference was moved to the Puchner Castle Hotel of Bikal, where Gergely Hankó – the general manager of the Association – greeted the participants. András Rácz State Secretary for Environmental Affairs and Bertalan Balczó Deputy State Secretary who is responsible for the nature protection presented the tasks of Ministry of Agriculture.
The afternoon continued with an Open Space workshop (that was moderated by Ex Ante Ltd.) where we discussed 6 themes that are relevant for the Associations members, for example waste, education and development of Hungarian and international relations.
During the evening we participated with a highly entertaining contest where we tried to be the best at poem writing, Activity tower building, quiz and painting.
During the second day we were presented with some information about the present state and plans of the Association, as well as the activities of Akusztika Mérnöki Iroda Ltd., ASZEK, Elgoscar-2000 Ltd., István Molnár „Vizesmaci”, Encotech Ltd. and Cortinaplast Ltd.
This was followed by a round table discussion with the environmental protection representatives of Tolna and Somogy counties’ authorities and professional organisations. Presenting their activities, tasks, challenges and problems, as well as the opportunities of possible co-operation of the parties.
During the two days these events were spent in a good atmosphere, and we gained a lot of useful information and knowledge that can help us in the future in our work on the fields of industrial symbiosis and circular economy.
