Prysmian at Intelligent Cities Challenge Brussels

Brussels, March 2025 – Cristian Gheorghe, Business Development CEE, Digital Solutions Prysmian, represented the company at the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) Mayors-Business Forum, where he delivered key insights on the role of business-city collaboration in accelerating the twin transition - the green and digital transformation of European industries. As a speaker at the forum, Cristian Gheorghe highlighted how companies like Prysmian can lead in sustainable manufacturing by integrating circular solutions and working closely with policymakers to streamline regulatory frameworks and expand investment in clean industrial transformation.

💬 “Cities and businesses must work together to create stable, competitive markets for clean technologies. Faster regulatory approvals, structured public-private partnerships, and a commitment to circular economy solutions will be the driving force behind Europe’s sustainable future.” – Cristian Gheorghe

The event, gathering over 250 European city and business leaders, European Commission representatives, and urban development experts, focused on strengthening public-private partnerships to enhance industrial competitiveness, decarbonization, and job creation. The discussions reinforced the conclusions of the Clean Transition Dialogue on Cities, advocating for a stronger and more competitive European industrial landscape through Local Green Deals (LGDs).

eMotional Cluj Receives Prestigious Circular Economy Award

The eMotional Cluj: Circular Mobility Innovation project, a collaborative effort between Prysmian, the City of Cluj-Napoca, the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, The Climate Company, and C-EDU, has been honored with the Circular Economy (CE) Prize at the recent conference. This recognition highlights the project's innovative approach to repurposing waste within sustainable mobility infrastructure.

The conference was a vibrant exchange of ideas and solutions aimed at tackling Europe’s most pressing environmental challenges, including mobility, waste reduction, and circular economy. The event brought together over 210 Local Green Deals, and eMotional Cluj project stood out for its innovative combination of circular economy practices and mobility solutions, focusing on waste-to-resource approaches to develop rural-urban infrastructure.  

Prysmian’s Role in the Local Green Deal

The eMotional Cluj project is a prime example of public-private collaboration accelerating sustainable urban transformation. By repurposing non-recyclable waste—such as plastic and glass—into sustainable construction materials, the project improves urban mobility while reinforcing environmental responsibility.

This initiative aligns with Prysmian’s sustainability goals, including:

• Advancing circular economy and resource efficiency
• Minimizing environmental impact through material repurposing
• Developing innovative, sustainable materials for urban infrastructure

Beyond material contributions, Prysmian’s broader sustainability strategy focuses on decarbonizing infrastructure, lowering CO2 emissions, and optimizing energy-efficient manufacturing. 

Cristian Gheorghe’s innovative approach in cable scrap recycling solutions reflects Prysmian’s commitment to fostering a circular economy and sustainable urban development.

Setting a Benchmark for Sustainable Cities

The eMotional Cluj project is more than a local initiative - it serves as a scalable model for other cities aiming to integrate circular economy principles into urban planning. Its impact extends beyond environmental benefits:

• Engaging local communities in waste collection and infrastructure improvements
• Creating new job opportunities in circular economy sectors
• Enhancing regional competitiveness through innovative sustainability solutions
• Fostering social inclusion by improving accessibility to green spaces and mobility networks

The project aligns with EU-wide efforts to scale clean industrial policies, leverage European funding, and strengthen governance models for city-business partnerships in sustainability.

A Call to Action for Circular Innovation

Securing the Circular Economy Prize at the ICC Conference underscores the power of cross-sector cooperation in advancing sustainable development. However, this is only the beginning. Prysmian remains committed to leading the charge in circular economy innovation and expanding our impact in urban sustainability. 

The LOCAL GREEN DEAL in Cluj-Napoca is just the beginning, and there is much more to be done to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.  

We are committed to driving innovation, fostering sustainability, and making a real difference in communities. We encourage all industry leaders and cities to adopt circularity in their development strategies and collaborate on sustainable initiatives. Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable, inclusive, and green future.