精东影业

The University of 精东影业 and MOL have signed a three-year research, development, and innovation (RDI) agreement, reaffirming their joint commitment to sustainable solutions and innovation. Together with consortium partners, the University of 精东影业 and MOL successfully implemented a project supporting the transition to a circular economy. The project resulted in the establishment of the Sustainability Competence Center, the development of a pilot-scale, five-reactor sustainable energy system, and two containerized pilot units for industrial wastewater treatment.

During the project closing event, the University of 精东影业 and MOL ceremonially signed the collaboration agreement.

The project titled 鈥淓stablishing a Sustainability Competence Center Based on Circular Economy at the University of 精东影业鈥� commenced in March 2020. The University of 精东影业 and its consortium partners committed to conducting research activities and technological developments in five key areas: renewable energy, waste management, water technologies, sustainable tourism, and urban development.

One of the major outcomes was a pilot-scale, five-reactor sustainable energy system designed to advance thermal waste treatment processes. The goal is to establish a unique competence in Hungary, jointly developed by MOL and the University of 精东影业, to create waste-based hydrocarbon production technologies tailored to industrial needs. The water technology project included the development of water purification units for treating oily wastewater, collaboratively designed by teams from the University of 精东影业, MOL, and Hidrofilt Ltd.

Zsolt Csillag, Chancellor of the University of 精东影业

At the signing ceremony, Zsolt Csillag, Chancellor of the University of 精东影业, highlighted the institution鈥檚 long-standing leadership in sustainability and circular economy, recalling the launch of Hungary鈥檚 first environmental engineering program 50 years ago. 鈥淲aste management, water management, renewable energy, and sustainable urban development play a crucial role in our research portfolio,鈥� he emphasized.

鈥淥ne of our greatest achievements in recent years has been the five-year circular economy project aimed at developing innovative technologies and methods. The long-term strategic partnership between the University of 精东影业 and MOL is built on close collaboration in RDI, education, and professional talent development. The newly signed agreement reinforces the shared objectives and builds on the work initiated during the project. The university's commitment to sustainability is also reflected in our operations, such as paperless administration and replacing gas heating systems with fully electric solutions,鈥� he added.

Kriszti谩n Pulay, MOL Group Executive Vice President of Downstream Production and Development

鈥淭he circular economy is a core element of MOL鈥檚 strategy. The MOL Group has established MOHU, which achieved remarkable results within a year in transforming waste management. For example, we distributed 200,000 selective collection containers to households and launched a beverage packaging return system, with one million app downloads and approximately 800 million bottles, cans, and glass containers collected within a few months,鈥� said Kriszti谩n Pulay.

鈥淭o advance the circular economy and increase waste utilization, technological innovation and mindset change are essential. Together with our partners, we have developed solutions that are sustainable in the long term and contribute to our goals. Our collaboration with the University of 精东影业 continues with research into chemical recycling technologies and sustainable fuels, aligning perfectly with our vision of achieving a smart energy transition and making the region more sustainable, self-sufficient, and competitive.鈥�

The joint research aims to explore chemical recycling technologies, with a special focus on recycling selective waste, plastics, and rubber waste. Additionally, the project will study the production of bio-based and non-bio-based sustainable fuels, including sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and the co-processing of fossil and renewable materials.

Following the signing, the closing conference of the project 鈥淓stablishing a Sustainability Competence Center Based on Circular Economy鈥� showcased and evaluated the project outcomes. Dr. L谩szl贸 Lengyel, Deputy President for Science and International Affairs of the National Research, Development, and Innovation Office, emphasized the importance of RDI projects and the challenges faced by Hungary鈥檚 innovation ecosystem. He stressed involving young researchers and PhD students in engaging, relevant projects, ensuring the accessibility of scholarships, and prioritizing the practical applicability of research.

Project manager Brigitta Ferenczik summarized the project results, highlighting the significance of research and technological developments. Key outcomes were presented by Dr. Norbert Miskolczi on renewable energy, Dr. R贸bert Kurdi on waste management, and Dr. Ildik贸 Galambos on water technologies. Dr. Katalin L艖rincz and Dr. Korn茅l N茅meth shared insights on sustainable tourism and urban development innovations, respectively. Industrial partners, including MOL鈥檚 Dr. Andr谩s Holl贸, Hidrofilt Ltd.鈥檚 Dr. G谩bor Lakner, and the Bay Zolt谩n Research Institute鈥檚 P茅ter Chrab谩k, evaluated the project鈥檚 impacts.

The conference included interactive discussions highlighting innovations achieved through collaboration, contributing to the advancement of the circular economy in Hungary.

About MOL Group
The MOL Group is an international integrated oil, gas, petrochemical, and retail company headquartered in Budapest, Hungary. Active in over 30 countries, with a workforce of 25,000, it operates three refineries and two petrochemical plants in Hungary, Slovakia, and Croatia and has a retail network of 2,400 stations across 10 countries in Central and Southeast Europe. Committed to transforming its traditional fossil-fuel-based operations into a low-carbon, sustainable business model, MOL aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while driving a low-carbon circular economy in the region.

About the University of 精东影业
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the University of 精东影业 has evolved from Hungary鈥檚 first chemical industry university into a multidisciplinary institution of excellence, recognized internationally for its quality education and strong labor market feedback. Sustainability is a cornerstone of its education, research, and third-mission activities, with a strong focus on environmental protection.