Nestlé’s solar park in Szerencs was handed over

Nestlé’s factory in Szerencs has been undergoing continuous modernization for years and has now become the company’s Central European hub for producing and packaging coffee and cocoa powder. Over the past few years, more than HUF 9 billion has been invested in developments, including new production lines, increased manufacturing capacity, and improvements to employee well-being. The factory currently employs 500 people and has an annual production capacity of nearly 40,000 tons.

The solar park was built with the support of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), with a budget exceeding HUF 700 million. The project not only enhances the energy security of the Szerencs factory but also helps free up green electricity capacity on the public power grid, supporting the sustainability goals of other companies as well.

“The developments of recent years have significantly contributed to making the Szerencs plant outstanding both nationally and internationally,” said Péter Noszek, CEO of Nestlé Hungária. He added: “Today, 90 percent of the products manufactured in Szerencs are for export, reaching 27 countries worldwide.”

HIPA played a major role in realizing the investment, covering 45 percent of the project’s total cost.

“The food industry is a strategic sector, which is why the implementation of the solar park in Szerencs is of great significance. It clearly demonstrates the goals of the Factory Rescue Program, which allocated HUF 150 billion to support energy efficiency and renewable energy developments. Nestlé’s investment in Szerencs clearly shows how competitiveness and sustainability can be served at the same time,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó at the inauguration. He emphasized that Swiss companies are the 7th largest investors in Hungary and have tripled their investment value over the past decade.

“The previous investments clearly reflect Nestlé’s long-term commitment to Szerencs and the region. As the largest employer in Szerencs, the company already provides jobs for 500 people and their families, contributing to the region’s economic development and social stability,” said Zsófia Koncz, Member of Parliament and State Secretary for Families at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation. “This new development ensures that both Szerencs and Nestlé’s local factory will appear more prominently on Hungary’s green energy map.”

For a Sustainable Future

Nestlé aims to halve its carbon footprint by 2030 and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To reach these goals, the company is undertaking significant developments across all its business areas.

Like Nestlé’s other two Hungarian factories, the Szerencs plant has been using 100 percent renewable electricity since 2017. The new solar park will further reduce the amount of green electricity purchased from the grid.

The company’s commitment to sustainability is reflected not only in its manufacturing processes but also in packaging innovations. Since 2022, Nesquik products produced in Szerencs have been designed for recyclability. Thanks to improvements in single-serve Nescafé packaging, the company has saved 1,200 tons of plastic.

The commissioning of the new solar park marks an important milestone in Nestlé’s sustainability strategy. Enhancing energy efficiency, supporting local communities, and committing to renewable energy all help ensure that the company remains a key player in the region’s economy and sustainable development.