An interview with Szabolcs Karda, CEO at Primexa
At COSMOS, we love spotlighting partners who are reimagining what sustainability means in their sector. In the hospitality space, few embody this mission better than Primexa, a luxury hospitality supplier founded by former hotelier Szabolcs Karda. We caught up with Szabolcs to hear how his company is helping hotels meet rising guest expectations while staying true to sustainable values.
From five-star service to sustainable supply
“I’ve been working in the hospitality industry for over half a decade,” says Szabolcs, whose last role was Head Porter at Shangri-La at The Shard, one of London’s most iconic luxury hotels. “That role gave me a front-row seat to the daily challenges faced by housekeeping and front-of-house teams – not just in delivering exceptional guest experiences, but in sourcing the right products to make it all possible.”
It was this insight that sparked the creation of Primexa. Szabolcs saw first-hand how difficult it was for hotels to find trustworthy suppliers for high-quality, beautiful amenities that also met sustainability goals. “I wanted to create a company that not only delivers reliable products but truly understands the operational realities of a luxury hotel. My goal is to be a true partner to hotel teams, helping them find elegant, sustainable solutions without the headache.”
Meeting the demand for natural and certified beauty
So what inspired Primexa to focus on natural and organic cosmetics? According to Szabolcs, it was a shift he began noticing on the job.
“Guests were becoming more conscious of what they used on their skin, and many were asking about ingredient lists or where the products came from,” he explains. “That’s when I started to realise that luxury isn’t just about how something looks or smells, it’s also about what it stands for.”
Discovering brands like The Rerum Natura, a COSMOS-certified range manufactured by GFL Cosmetics in Italy, was a turning point. “These products feel luxurious, but they’re also thoughtfully made and sustainable. That’s the kind of value I wanted Primexa to bring to our clients.”
A new kind of curated luxury
At its core, Primexa is about what Szabolcs calls curated luxury. “We’re not just selling toiletries, we’re helping hotels create experiences. That includes making sure the products are ethically sourced, gentle on the skin, and kind to the environment. Natural and organic cosmetics are a perfect fit for that mission.”
And this mission is resonating across the industry. “Demand for certified products is growing fast,” he says. “It’s coming from both sides: guests are more discerning, and hotels are evolving their sourcing policies to reflect real sustainability goals. Certification seals like COSMOS ORGANIC and COSMOS NATURAL helps take the guesswork out of the equation.”
Without certification, a label can mean anything. COSMOS certification brings clarity. It shows that a product has been properly vetted, from how ingredients are farmed to how packaging is handled. It creates trust in a space that’s often very vague.”
The insights shared by Szabolcs Karda highlight a powerful convergence in luxury hospitality: the growing expectation for authentic sustainability. Primexa's focus on COSMOS-certified organic and natural cosmetics directly addresses this demand, offering a curated luxury that prioritizes ethical sourcing and transparent production. In a market where labels can be misleading, the clarity and trust provided by certifications are invaluable. Primexa is not just supplying products; it's enabling hotels to build deeper trust with their guests by delivering amenities that are both indulgent and responsibly made, truly redefining luxury for the modern era.
