For Episode 36 of the Bao Podcast, we introduce you to Pieter-Jan Loyens, the Managing Director of Encon. This is an agency, based in Bilzen, that supports businesses with creative and innovative solutions in their transition toward becoming more sustainable.

They distinguish themselves through their unique combination of ecology and economy, linking environmental awareness with cost savings and profitability for their clients.In recent years, they have built a strong market position with this approach. 

One of their most remarkable projects might be their own headquarters in Bilzen, Infinity. It is considered one of the most sustainable office buildings in Europe. With several sustainability certificates as LEED and BREEAM, the design serves as a showcase for innovative technologies and sustainable architecture.

Show notes:

Encon (https://www.encon.eu/nl-BE) 

Pieter-Jan Loyens (https://be.linkedin.com/in/pieter-jan-loyens/en) 

Robin Bruninx (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinbruninx) 

Hasco Invest (https://hascoinvest.be/nl/home)

Jean Jacques Velkeniers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-jacques-velkeniers-1053b11/)  

BREEAM (https://breeam.com/)

LEED (https://www.usgbc.org/leed/)

Tectum Group (https://www.tectumgroup.be/) 

HNST Jeans (https://www.supergoods.be/blogs/supergoods-news/welkom-bij-supergoods-de-belgische-duurzame-jeans-van-hnst)

Vario Food (https://variofood.be/)

Upgrade Estate (https://upgrade-estate.be/)

Wanaka Partners (https://wanakapartners.com/)    

Ellen MacArthur (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_MacArthur) 

Ignace van Doorselaere, ‘De essentie’ (https://4-f.be/publicaties/de-essentie)

Daniel Kahneman, ‘Thinking Fast & Slow’ (https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/thinking-fast-and-slow/9300000043254613/)

Michael Lewis, ‘The Undoing Project’ (https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/the-undoing-project/9200000065157549/)   

Time stamps:

0:00 Intro

2:00 Founding story of Encon

10:30 Examples of how Encon are helping companies 

19:30 Pieter-Jan’s key learnings throughout his career 

26:15 Work of Encon in construction industry

29:30 Sustainability certificates: how do you achieve them?

34:30 Promising methodologies in construction

38:30 Good business cases for big battery installations

43:45 Cost of batteries dropping

45:00 Circular frontrunners in Belgium

48:10 Reach out to Pieter-Jan or Encon via the information in the show notes!

49:00 Outro