<p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p>Show notes:</p><p>Encon (<a href="https://www.encon.eu/nl-BE" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.encon.eu/nl-BE</a>) </p><p>Pieter-Jan Loyens (<a href="https://be.linkedin.com/in/pieter-jan-loyens/en" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://be.linkedin.com/in/pieter-jan-loyens/en</a>) </p><p>Robin Bruninx (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinbruninx" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinbruninx</a>) </p><p>Hasco Invest (<a href="https://hascoinvest.be/nl/home" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://hascoinvest.be/nl/home</a>)</p><p>Jean Jacques Velkeniers (<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-jacques-velkeniers-1053b11/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-jacques-velkeniers-1053b11/</a>) </p><p>BREEAM (<a href="https://breeam.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://breeam.com/</a>)</p><p>LEED (<a href="https://www.usgbc.org/leed/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.usgbc.org/leed/</a>)</p><p>Tectum Group (<a href="https://www.tectumgroup.be/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.tectumgroup.be/</a>) </p><p>HNST Jeans (<a href="https://www.supergoods.be/blogs/supergoods-news/welkom-bij-supergoods-de-belgische-duurzame-jeans-van-hnst" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.supergoods.be/blogs/supergoods-news/welkom-bij-supergoods-de-belgische-duurzame-jeans-van-hnst</a>)</p><p>Vario Food (<a href="https://variofood.be/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://variofood.be/</a>)</p><p>Upgrade Estate (<a href="https://upgrade-estate.be/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://upgrade-estate.be/</a>)</p><p>Wanaka Partners (<a href="https://wanakapartners.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://wanakapartners.com/</a>) </p><p>Ellen MacArthur (<a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_MacArthur" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_MacArthur</a>) </p><p>Ignace van Doorselaere, ‘De essentie’ (<a href="https://4-f.be/publicaties/de-essentie" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://4-f.be/publicaties/de-essentie</a>)</p><p>Daniel Kahneman, ‘Thinking Fast & Slow’ (<a href="https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/thinking-fast-and-slow/9300000043254613/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/thinking-fast-and-slow/9300000043254613/</a>)</p><p>Michael Lewis, ‘The Undoing Project’ (<a href="https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/the-undoing-project/9200000065157549/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.bol.com/be/nl/f/the-undoing-project/9200000065157549/</a>) </p><p><br /></p><p>Time stamps:</p><p>0:00 Intro</p><p>2:00 Founding story of Encon</p><p>10:30 Examples of how Encon are helping companies </p><p>19:30 Pieter-Jan’s key learnings throughout his career </p><p>26:15 Work of Encon in construction industry</p><p>29:30 Sustainability certificates: how do you achieve them?</p><p>34:30 Promising methodologies in construction</p><p>38:30 Good business cases for big battery installations</p><p>43:45 Cost of batteries dropping</p><p>45:00 Circular frontrunners in Belgium</p><p>48:10 Reach out to Pieter-Jan or Encon via the information in the show notes!</p><p>49:00 Outro</p>
