Recycling gets a new boost on Hungarian roads – latest news from the HAPA conference

The International Conference of the Hungarian Asphalt Industry Association (HAPA – Hungarian Asphalt Pavement Association) began on Tuesday morning at the Azúr Hotel in Siófok. The two-day event is now in its 26th year of discussing the most exciting and topical issues in the Hungarian road industry.

New companies strengthen HAPA

In his opening speech, Tibor Veress, Director of HAPA, was delighted to announce that 220 people had registered for the conference this year, up from 200 last year. This year, for the first time, the conference was recognised as an official continuing education programme by the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers.

Tibor Veress announced further welcome news that four new companies had joined HAPA: V-Híd Zrt., Strabag Építőipari Zrt, Mészáros M2 Útépítő Zrt. and Vértes-Út Kft. are now members of HAPA. In connection with this, he highlighted the development of the southern circular railway line, which is being implemented by V-Híd, as a remarkable engineering feat. the installation of the 1,400-tonne railway bridge on Bartók Béla út, which our newspaper reported on at the scene.

A promising new collaboration begins

He went on to present the latest basic data on domestic asphalt production: according to this, 3.5 million tonnes of asphalt were produced in Hungary last year, while 4.1 million tonnes will be produced in 2024, which is the lowest production volume in the last decade.

According to further data, Hungary has room for improvement in terms of both reduced-energy WMA asphalt and recycling rates in comparison with other European countries. At the same time, he mentioned as a positive development

the agreement soon to be concluded between HAPA and Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium. „As a result, HAPA will maintain a comprehensive register of all recyclable materials deposited in the country.”

At the end of his speech, the 77-year-old expert also announced that he would be stepping down as head of HAPA at the end of this year; according to the organisation's management, they are already actively searching for his successor. In closing, he expressed his gratitude to those in the profession for their support, which has always helped him through the most difficult periods of his work at HAPA.

Insight into the most significant domestic developments

In the continuation, Tamás Kertesi, Technical Director of MKIF Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt., presented the company's ongoing and upcoming developments, among other things, while also discussing in detail the recycling aspects of the MKIF project. Our newspaper will soon publish a separate article on this report, which contains a wealth of interesting information.

Zsolt Thoroczkay, head of department at ÉKM, also had the opportunity to speak during the introductory panel. Among other things, he presented the new regulation on public road construction, 12/2025. (V. 8.) ÉKM on the construction of public roads, which brings numerous advances for the road construction industry.

Among the keynote speakers at the HAPA conference was Gábor Hesz, Director of Development and Renovation at Magyar Közút Zrt., who revealed in his presentation that the majority of TOP-based road developments for the 2020-2027 cycle will begin this year, which will accelerate these investments.

At the event, the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Road Professionals presented the Magyar Közút Lifetime Achievement Award and the Young Talent Award. We will provide details of this shortly.

We will continuously update our article with further interesting details and recent photos from the conference!