4iG Group and its subsidiary REMRED Ltd. have laid the foundation stone of Hungary’s first space industry manufacturing center in Martonvásár, Hungary. The factory named REMTECH manufactures, assembles, integrates and tests satellites weighing up to 400 kilograms, with modular technology uniquely in Europe. The greenfield project implements state-of-the-art technology solutions in line with aerospace standards and will be supplied by an independent photovoltaic power station. The 4,000 square meter manufacturing center includes 1,500 square meter special laboratory with ISO8 and ISO5 certified clean-room technology. The facility also has a place in for vibration, shock, mechanical, thermo-vacuum, climatic, EMC/EMI and acoustic testing systems.
Designed to meet the needs of domestic and international markets as well, the space technology center is not just an excellent site for satellite technology and the space industry, but also creates a center of innovation, international cooperation and domestic knowledge base, with multiple links to education and R&D activities. The space technology center becomes operational by 2026 and creates 85 new, high value jobs.
At the foundation ceremony Minister of National Economy Márton Nagy said that Hungary’s ability to manufacture satellites is not just an economic and security issue, but also of sovereignty. The space sector has a bright future, as it is one of the world’s fastest growing and – according to international surveys – most resilient industries, estimated to grow from USD 630 billion in 2023 to USD 1,800 billion by 2035. In addition, space industry that is in the forefront of technological development, has a high multiplier effect, so the innovations and technological benefits spread out to other sectors of the economy. This is a key factor to the further strengthening of competitiveness. Thanks to its economic ecosystem, infrastructure, and intellectual capital, Hungary is in a good position to become a major player in the space industry. This is why the investment of the government’s strategic partner, 4iG is important, as it will enable the company to become a regional leader in the space industry, in addition to ICT.
“With the joint investment of 4iG Group and REMRED, we gain unique capabilities and infrastructure in Central Eastern Europe. As part of our technology and defence holding, space has the greatest growth potential, alongside 4iG Group's traditional businesses, IT, and telecommunications", emphasised Gellért Jászai, Chairman of 4iG Group, in his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony. “The services and satellite manufacturing capacity of the space technology center further strengthens the international presence of 4iG Group and develops new domestic and international partnerships. We can enter a manufacturing market that combines state-of-the-art equipment with the latest knowledge to produce cutting edge technologies".
In his welcoming speech, Dr István Sárhegyi, founder of REMRED, and CEO of the space industry and technology holding company of 4iG Group, emphasised that thanks to the investment, Hungary could become a major player in the global space market within a short period of time. The CEO said that already in the planning phase of the space manufacturing center the biggest international companies and manufacturers offered cooperation, which proves that there is a huge international demand to produce low earth orbit satellites and various space equipment. “Our goal in the space industry is to build on our own engineering capabilities to develop new and unique space equipment and satellites, and to become strategic partners of the biggest satellite and space companies, as well as national and international space agencies”, added Dr István Sárhegyi.
In the 21st century, the space industry, including the data and services provided by satellites, has become part of the critical infrastructure. Due to the increasingly frequent natural disasters, so the geopolitical and economic situation in Europe, technology providing accurate, data-driven, immediate information and communication is of strategic importance. International conflicts in our age also shows the importance of space capabilities: without suitable infrastructure and applicable knowledge base a country becomes vulnerable. The investment launched in partnership between 4iG Group and REMRED could not only play key role in the Hungarian and international space industry from 2026, but could also be a strategic element of national sovereignty and security policy through its technologic capabilities.