The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration’s research unit Net-Zero Lab signed a cooperation agreement with Aurubis Bulgaria AD. This partnership aims to support the achievement of carbon neutrality in Bulgarian industry through various joint initiatives, educational activities, and techno-economic analyses. Planned activities include specialized training and forums for industry representatives, promoting sustainable practices in the area of circular resource management – a core operational principle of the Aurubis Group.
On November 20, an extended meeting was held with the corporate group responsible for Aurubis Bulgaria’s carbon emissions reduction strategy. Students and professors from the Department of “Industrial Economics and Management” at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration from Sofia University were invited to participate. During the meeting, the partnership between the two institutions was officially announced. The event featured a video address by Tim Kurt, Chief Operations Officer of the Aurubis Group and Executive Director of Aurubis Bulgaria, who congratulated the teams on their collaboration and emphasized the importance of partnerships between business and academia. He also highlighted Aurubis’ leadership in achieving decarbonization through sustainable solutions and efficient resource use.
photo: RNEWS BG
In 2024, Aurubis launched an investment of BGN 800 million in its plant in Bulgaria. The investment aims to increase the production of pure copper, expand solar parks for internal energy needs, replace equipment with energy-efficient alternatives, and undertake other projects. This is the company’s largest investment on Bulgarian territory in the 66-year history of the copper plant, which is located between the municipalities of Pirdop and Zlatitsa.
The Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and Director of Net-Zero Lab, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev, expressed his gratitude for Aurubis Bulgaria’s support and recognition of the laboratory’s scientific work. He emphasized how the collaboration between the two institutions creates a necessary synergy between science and practice, forming a foundation for developing sustainable solutions. Sofia University is also a key academic partner of the Industrial Cluster Srednogorie, engaging in numerous initiatives with companies and municipalities in the region.
photo: RNEWS BG
Dr. Maria Trifonova, Deputy Director of Net-Zero Lab, also expressed appreciation for the agreement and underscored the importance of partnerships between science and business for fostering innovative ideas and practical solutions to reduce carbon emissions. Dr. Trifonova highlighted the value of showcasing Aurubis Bulgaria’s sustainable practices to students, describing it as an inspiring example. She pointed to the importance of intergenerational continuity, stressing that the actions and practices we adopt today form the basis for the future built by upcoming generations. This vision lies at the heart of the agreement between Net-Zero Lab and Aurubis Bulgaria.
photo: RNEWS BG
A production tour was organized for the students from the Master’s programs “Energy Markets and Services” and “Responsible and Sustainable Governance”, during which they had the opportunity to visit the first photovoltaic park built to power the company’s operations, as well as the refinery for the production of cathode copper. During the tour, students were introduced to the complete copper transformation process – from anode to cathode – including the production of copper sheets, which are the company’s primary end product.