immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Category: immoNews

  • Lift technology strengthens the development of the destination Andermatt

    Lift technology strengthens the development of the destination Andermatt

    As a partner of Andermatt Swiss Alps, the Finnish lift and escalator manufacturer KONE has realised one hundred installations since 2011, according to a press release. As part of Samih Sawiri’s development project for the destination, 1.7 billion Swiss francs are being invested, with a focus on long-term partnerships. KONE passenger and goods lifts are now in operation in luxury hotels, villas and flat blocks in the area. The company, which has its Swiss headquarters in Brüttisellen, is also responsible for new escalators and a moving walkway at Andermatt railway station.

    According to the press release, most of the passenger lifts installed are the KONE MonoSpace 500 DX and KONE MonoSpace 700 DX models, while the goods lifts are TranSys DX models. In addition, customised lifts have been manufactured for the five-star Chedi Andermatt hotel, for example.

    Sustainability in terms of energy efficiency, energy recovery and service life played an important role in all projects, according to the company. This is not only in line with the Andermatt Responsible initiative, but also with KONE’s principles. It is noted that KONE was voted one of the 20 most sustainable companies in Europe by the trade magazine “Corporate Knights” in 2025.

    According to Jan-Eric Mahnkopf from Andermatt Swiss Alps, a project of this size and duration can only be successfully realised with strong, long-term partnerships. “With KONE, we have a technologically leading and flexible partner at our side who has reliably fulfilled our high demands on quality, design and efficiency for years,” Mahnkopf is quoted as saying as the construction project manager.

    According to KONE, this long-term approach has the advantage of optimising planning and logistics and always having sufficient materials and personnel on site. “The collaborating teams are perfectly attuned, they know the needs and requirements of the partner,” says Lukas Lehmann, the responsible KONE sales manager.

  • Building objections Federal Council wants to crack down harder

    Building objections Federal Council wants to crack down harder

    A study commissioned by the Federal Office for Housing and the Federal Office for Spatial Development shows that objections and appeals are the most common reason why residential construction projects are delayed or even prevented. This drives up costs, slows down construction activity and contributes to the worsening housing shortage. Particularly problematic are cases in which objections do not serve to protect public interests, but primarily secure private advantages or are used as a means of exerting pressure. For example, when money is demanded for the withdrawal of an appeal

    New rules against abuse of the law
    The motion “Sanction abusive building objections” is intended to instruct the Federal Council to create a basis for obliging objectors without an interest worthy of protection or with a clear intention to abuse the law to pay costs and, if necessary, damages. The Federal Council is prepared to examine the existing possibilities for sanctions and to sound out the extent to which it can provide guidelines in the Spatial Planning Act on the legitimacy of objections and the consequences of abusive objections based on Article 75 of the Federal Constitution. The specific structure of the procedures should remain with the cantons, but within a federal legal framework

    Delicate demarcation and open risks
    Legal experts point out how difficult it is in practice to clearly qualify an objection as abusive. Financial compensation for the withdrawal of an appeal can be legitimate, for example, if neighbors give up views, peace and quiet or other positions. In addition, stakeholders such as the Swiss Heritage Society warn that stricter hurdles and threats of sanctions could weaken the protection of townscape and monuments. Especially in cantons without the right of appeal, where neighbors often act as the final protective authority. Parliament will therefore have to perform a balancing act. Speed up procedures and curb abuse without devaluing legitimate objections and democratic participation.

  • All the world’s buildings in a 3D model

    All the world’s buildings in a 3D model

    The GlobalBuildingAtlas comprises around 2.75 billion digital building models, making it the most comprehensive collection of spatially explicit building data to date. It includes all buildings for which suitable satellite images were available in 2019. The 3D models have a spatial resolution of 3×3 meters and are therefore around 30 times finer than previous global data sets. The atlas was developed by a team led by Prof. Xiaoxiang Zhu, holder of the Chair of Data Science in Earth Observation at TUM, which combines remote sensing, artificial intelligence and data-driven urban research in a global approach

    Detailed 3D models and global coverage
    Of the 2.75 billion entries, standardized LoD1 3D models are available for around 2.68 billion, which depict the basic shape and height of the buildings in simplified geometry. This allows volumes to be calculated, urban structures to be analyzed and settlement patterns to be compared worldwide. Of particular importance is the systematic coverage of previously underrepresented regions such as Africa, South America and rural areas, which are now captured with the same accuracy as dense metropolitan areas

    Tool for planning, climate and risk
    The data makes it possible to examine growth dynamics in fast-growing cities, identify high-density neighborhoods with potentially strained living space and determine infrastructure requirements more precisely. Researchers and administrations can thus develop indicators that show where the expansion of transport, energy and water networks, additional housing or climate adaptation measures are particularly urgent. At the same time, the GlobalBuildingAtlas creates a globally standardized reference system that allows analyses of urbanization, energy consumption and disaster risks on a comparable data basis.

  • Hydrogen plant in Seewen suspended – market development remains crucial

    Hydrogen plant in Seewen suspended – market development remains crucial

    According to a press release, ebs Wasserstoff AG is suspending its project to produce hydrogen at the site of the surfacing plant in Seewen. The reason given for the decision is that sales and profitability are currently insufficient. However, the market situation is being monitored. Should demand increase, the project could be resumed.

    The Schwyz-based energy supplier ebs Energie AG holds a 60 per cent stake in ebs Wasserstoff AG, the road and civil engineering company A. Käppeli’s Söhne AG Schwyz holds a 25 per cent stake and the Basel-based energy supplier IWB holds a 15 per cent stake. Together, they submitted a planning application for a production plant in Seewen in 2022.

    According to a breakdown by ebs, the plant would produce hydrogen with a capacity of 5 to 6 megawatts for up to 100 lorries a day. This would have been sufficient for 11.1 million lorry kilometres per year and would have saved 7.8 million kilograms of CO2. The investment costs were estimated at CHF 16.8 million.

    Some of the hydrogen could also have been fed into the gas grid by ebs Erdgas Biogas AG. The waste heat from the electrolysis process could have been utilised in the surfacing plant.

  • Positive market trend strengthens portfolio development

    Positive market trend strengthens portfolio development

    The listed real estate fund Swiss Life REF (CH) ESG Swiss Properties recorded a significant increase in total income of CHF 121.5 million for the 2024/2025 financial year, compared to CHF 57.6 million in 2023/2024, according to a statement from Swiss Life. The return on investment was 5.1 per cent.

    The reason for the positive performance is the 2.4 per cent net change in the market value of its properties. As at 30 September 2025, the fund held a total of 194 portfolio properties with a market value of CHF 3,233 million. The fund only recorded a decline in net income, which is mainly due to higher income taxes.

    The net asset value (NAV) per unit increased to CHF 116.65, which corresponds to an increase of 2.6 per cent compared to the previous year. The total distribution for 2024/2025, which will take place on 28 November 2025, amounts to CHF 2.70 per unit (CHF 58.3 million in total), with realised income of CHF 2.71 per unit (CHF 58.5 million in total). In relation to the market price, the distribution yield is therefore 2.03 per cent; in relation to the NAV, it is 2.31 per cent.

    The fund’s portfolio grew by one residential property in 2024/2025, while eight smaller properties were sold. These transactions led to a net capital gain totalling CHF 6.1 million and, thanks in part to the positive changes in the market value of the properties, to a reduction in the leverage ratio to 20.6 per cent (2024: 22.1 per cent). The total return in the reporting period was 14.8 per cent.

  • Schlieren remains an Energy City Gold

    Schlieren remains an Energy City Gold

    Schlieren has been recognised as a Gold Energy City for the second time since 2021, as detailed in a press release from the city. The award is valid for four years. Schlieren has been recognised as an Energy City since 2008. “Being awarded the Energy City Gold label once again is a great honour and shows us that we are on the right path as a city,” said Beat Kilchenmann, City Councillor and Head of the Works, Utilities and Facilities Department, in the press release.

    The Energy City Gold label serves to recognise particularly ambitious energy and climate protection goals. The city cites the specific measures that were defined in various fields of action as part of the net-zero strategy adopted in 2023 with the target year 2040. These measures served as a programme of activities for recertification as an Energy City Gold. They include the expansion of the district heating network, the use of renewable energy in municipal properties and strengthening the circular economy.

  • Digital energy hub strengthens solar industry

    Digital energy hub strengthens solar industry

    The Swiss Federal Technology Fund has granted Solarify a guarantee. Together with the commitment of the Abendrot Foundation, the developer and operator of swarm-financed solar systems based in Wabern will be able to further develop its Digital Energy Hub, according to a press release.

    The Solarify Digital Energy Hub is used for the intelligent management and optimisation of solar systems in a flexible energy system. It aims to integrate the systems into a sustainable and stable energy system.

    Solarify’s business model enables interested parties to invest in solar energy without having to build and own solar systems themselves. A system is realised as soon as enough investors have been found for the project. Solarify takes care of the maintenance of the systems and markets the electricity produced. Every three months, the participants receive a share of the profits from the sale of electricity.

  • Walensee: Steep face solar project to be cancelled

    Walensee: Steep face solar project to be cancelled

    The rock face on the north side of Lake Walen will not receive a solar installation in the foreseeable future. As the project partners EKZ and SAK write in a press release, they are no longer pursuing the Felsenstrom solar project.

    The electricity suppliers of the cantons of Zurich, St.Gallen and Appenzell justify their decision on the one hand with delays in the authorisation process. Adjustments to the project as a result of objections would require a new public enquiry. Secondly, the installation of free-hanging modules on the steep face would be challenging, complex and time-consuming.

    The project partners therefore no longer expect to be able to complete the project by the end of 2030. However, this would be a prerequisite for it to be able to benefit from the facilitations and subsidies under the Solar Express programme.

    The plant would be built at the former Schnür quarry. The solar modules with an area of 44,000 square metres should generate around 12 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, according to the public building notification from September 2024.

  • New heating centre strengthens energy supply in Villmergen

    New heating centre strengthens energy supply in Villmergen

    After around two years of construction and CHF 15 million invested, the AEW heat network in Villmergen provides sustainable heat for local companies, as detailed in a press release. The heat network, which combines renewable heat from regional waste wood and wood from cascade utilisation with modern storage and control technology, strengthens regional supply security as part of the Energy Strategy 2050, according to the press release.

    At the centre of the heating centre is an efficient waste wood boiler with an output of 2,000 kilowatts. A further waste wood boiler, heat pumps and a peak load boiler are also planned, which will generate a total output of up to 10,000 kilowatts.

    A modern heat storage tank with a volume of 160,000 litres will ensure operational efficiency, while a photovoltaic system with an annual output of 220 megawatt hours (MWh) will produce sustainable electricity. 145 MWh of the electricity produced is used for the plant’s own consumption. Using power-to-heat technology, the system converts surplus electricity into heat and thus adapts to fluctuations in the energy system. This leads to particularly efficient energy utilisation, while at the same time supporting the stability of the power grid, explains AEW.

    Once completed, the heating centre will supply up to 14,500 MWh of heat per year and cover the needs of around 700 single-family homes. This will save around 710,000 cubic metres of natural gas and 1,500 tonnes of CO2 per year, explains Daniel Wernli, Head of Heat Production at AEW.

    From planning to construction and operation, AEW has deliberately commissioned companies from the region. The local population will also be involved: in spring 2026, AEW will organise an open day at the heating network and explain how sustainable heat is produced from regional wood.

  • Startups provide impetus for a sustainable energy future

    Startups provide impetus for a sustainable energy future

    The Energy Startup Day took place on November 19 at the Kultur & Kongresshaus Aarau. The event offered start-ups the opportunity to present themselves and make contacts. Several presentations were also on the program. And finally, five start-ups were awarded prizes.

    Borobotics AG, based in Technopark Winterthur, won the Jury Award and with it an Energate PR & Event Package. The company is working on a new type of geothermal drill for use in urban areas. The first of two Swissolar Awards went to SmartHelio from Prilly VD for its artificial intelligence-based software for the use of photovoltaic systems. The start-up won a Swissolar Marketing & Event Package. The second Swissolar Award, and with it a Swissolar Event Package, went to Synergi Solutions from Helsinki. The Finnish start-up has developed an app to optimize energy consumption.

    Voltiris from Epalinges VD won the Audience Award and with it a Communication Package from Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Electrosuisse and Swisspower. Voltiris develops modules for agrivoltaics in greenhouses. And the Investor Award went to SensorXSolutions, which won the SICTIC (Swiss ICT Investor Club) prize, which is equivalent to an invitation to an investor event. The young company from Sarnen has developed intelligent systems for detecting and handling gases such as methane in order to curb the greenhouse effect.

    The organizers welcomed a total of around 230 participants. ZHAW, Electrosuisse and Swisspower organized the event and were supported by numerous partners.

  • Expansion of growth markets through regional production

    Expansion of growth markets through regional production

    Sika intends to grow further in the Middle East. With this in mind, the specialty chemicals company for the construction and industrial sectors has acquired the Saudi Arabian company Gulf Seal. It manufactures bitumen waterproofing membranes in the capital Riyadh. According to a press release, this offering optimally complements Sika’s sealing technologies already available in the region.

    According to the Saudi company Gulf Seal, which was founded 20 years ago, it works with the “most modern French technology”, which is sourced from its sister company Axter France. This makes Gulf Seal the only certified manufacturer of waterproof bitumen membranes in the Middle East with European CE certification.

    Sika expects Gulf Seal’s production plant and the established export channels to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to significantly strengthen its own market position in these growth markets. In Saudi Arabia itself, this acquisition strengthens Sika’s ability to deliver major construction projects related to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the 2034 FIFA World Cup and ongoing urbanization.

    “Gulf Seal’s established market position and local production capabilities, combined with Sika’s broad product range and global expertise, offer exciting opportunities for further growth in the GKR region,” said Christoph Ganz, Sika’s Regional Manager EMEA. “We look forward to welcoming the Gulf Seal team to the Sika family.”

  • New building to replace outdated shopping center

    New building to replace outdated shopping center

    A feasibility and potential study has shown that the Migros shopping center in the “Im Funken” area in Zofingen is outdated in terms of use and operation. According to a statement from the town of Zofingen, partial preservation is not an option, so a new replacement building is now to be planned. This new building is at the heart of the plans for a “mixed quarter for shopping, living and working”, which is being planned by Migros Aare, the city of Zofingen and the real estate company Zofimmo AG.

    Now that a “first milestone” has been reached with the study, “viable and concrete projects” are to be developed by several teams through a study contract. In a subsequent step, these are then to be legally secured through corresponding municipal planning instruments or a design plan.

    The results of the study commission should be available by the end of 2026, with construction starting in 2029 at the earliest. During the possible construction phase, a temporary facility would allow shopping to continue. On completion of the work, residential space is to be created on the existing parking lot by the railroad tracks. In addition to commercial space, residential space is also planned for the green part of the site opposite the old town – but the green character is to be retained.

  • Restoration brings Eaumorte Bridge back into the townscape

    Restoration brings Eaumorte Bridge back into the townscape

    The construction company MAULINI SA, based in Satigny, informs in a LinkedIn post about the completion of the restoration of the Eaumorte Bridge. The bridge between Avully and Cartigny was built in the mid-19th century and is considered one of the oldest in the canton of Geneva. Work began on June 2, 2025 and was completed at the end of October. The municipality of Avully described the bridge as being in an “advanced state of deterioration” before the restoration began.

    MAULINI carried out all the work, including the restoration, the removal of vegetation, the reconstruction of the stones according to the original and the design of the access to the bridge. According to the company, “the work consisted of repointing the stones with historic mortar, creating a new superstructure and installing a parapet made of local wood to give the bridge back its original stability and charm”. The aim of the restoration was to make the bridge accessible again for pedestrians, bicycles and horses. MAULINI worked together with the engineering firm EDMS from Petit-Lancy GE on this project.

    Founded in 1910, MAULINI SA specializes in building construction and civil engineering. This includes in particular projects for the construction of apartment buildings, industrial and administrative buildings as well as restoration projects such as the Conservatoire de Musique de Genève. The company is one of the five finalists for the Prix SVC Genève 2025, which will be awarded on November 27, 2025 at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva.

  • 27 years of commitment to Schlieren’s transformation

    27 years of commitment to Schlieren’s transformation

    Albert Schweizer has been shaping the economic development of the city of Schlieren since 1998, i.e. for over 27 years. During this time, he has not only located companies and organized space, but also led dialogues between business, politics and administration. Always with a clear philosophy, networks and trust instead of blind optimization of figures.

    “Schlieren has grown rapidly, but in a controlled manner, with location promotion that is not just based on figures, but on networks and trust,” is an apt description of Albert Schweizer’s approach. A classic industrial city has become a dynamic technology location.

    From industry to biotechnology
    Schweizer’s ability to consistently turn opportunities into projects made all the difference. He organized spaces, untied knots, launched festivals and created the conditions for companies to settle and grow in Schlieren. The transformation of former industrial wasteland into centers of biotechnology and medical technology is particularly impressive. A strategic change that repositioned Schlieren.

    Well-deserved retirement
    Albert Schweizer will take his well-deserved retirement next spring 2026. This will mark the end of an era for the city of Schlieren, but his mark will remain – in the networks he has built up, in the projects he has initiated and in the culture of location promotion that he has helped to shape.

    “We are proud of how Schlieren has developed,” says Mayor Markus Bärtschiger, paying tribute to Albert Schweizer’s achievements.

    Albert Schweizer’s retirement marks the departure of not only an experienced location promoter, but also the architect of modern Schlieren. His award is a well-deserved finale to an influential career that shows that sustainable development comes from people – people who not only manage the economy, but also build trust.

  • ImmoTable Basel – Of superclusters, new bridges and the path out of digital antiquity

    ImmoTable Basel – Of superclusters, new bridges and the path out of digital antiquity

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    Christof Klöpper, CEO of Basel Area Business & Innovation, kicked things off. He painted a picture of a region that is far more than “just” a pharmaceutical location. Although the life sciences supercluster remains a global leader, the innovation ecosystem has diversified.

    Supported by the three cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt and Jura, the organization focuses on international start-ups and a public-private partnership that is strongly driven by industry. Klöpper’s message was clear: the task is not just classic location promotion, but the active provision of innovation infrastructure for an ecosystem that is constantly growing.

    Basel-Stadt and the 500 million lever
    Julian Kamasa from the Office of Economy and Labor underlined how the canton of Basel-Stadt intends to further expand its position as a leading innovation location, supported by around 800 life sciences companies and numerous start-ups. At the heart of this offensive is the new “Basel location package”, with which the canton will take on a pioneering role throughout Switzerland from 2025.

    With an annual budget of 150 to 500 million francs, targeted investments will be promoted. 80% of the funds will flow into an innovation fund that rewards research and development activities at the location in particular. The remaining 20 percent supports social and ecological goals such as parental leave or climate protection measures.

    The core message is clear. Those who conduct substantial research in Basel benefit the most. The canton wants to use this financial leverage to consolidate its position as a leading European healthcare location, build up targeted tech expertise and transform the economy towards a circular economy. The great potential of urban transformation areas plays a key role in this.

    An urban planning liberation
    The presentation by Marko Kern (SBB) and Marc Février (Canton of Basel-Stadt), who presented the winning project for the new Margarethenbrücke bridge and platform access, took a concrete turn. A key project for future mobility. In view of the massive increase in passenger numbers due to the SBB expansion phase 2035 and the desire for more space for streetcar and bicycle traffic, the old bridge needs to be replaced.

    Following a study commission process, in which the listed SNCF hall posed a particular challenge, the project by Penzel Valier AG won out. It envisages a slender, elevated bridge with a green roof. This creates more space for all road users and integrates a new, barrier-free streetcar stop in the middle of the bridge.

    The benefits of the project are manifold. It improves the transfer at the SBB railroad station, relieves the Centralbahnplatz, optimizes the bicycle and pedestrian connections between Gundeldingen and the city centre and creates clear added value in terms of urban development with over 11,000 new bicycle parking spaces and additional green spaces. The costs in the low to mid three-digit million range are being borne jointly by the federal government and the canton, and the project is a prime example of successful cooperation.

    Out of the “digital antiquity“
    Isabel Gehrer (pom+) held up a critical mirror to the industry. Her presentation “From digital antiquity to the industry of the future” showed the discrepancy between Switzerland as a world champion of innovation and a construction and real estate industry that provocatively remains in “digital antiquity” in terms of digital maturity.

    While Switzerland once again takes first place in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and Basel is home to three of the top 10 investors in Roche, Novartis and Syngenta, the real estate industry invests significantly less in innovation than other sectors. Only BIM has really caught on.

    Gehrer referred to Bill Gates’ concept of the “Green Premium”. Sustainable solutions must become so efficient that they no longer cost a premium. She cited the automotive industry as an example of success, where battery costs have fallen by 80 percent since 2010, making electric cars suitable for mass production.

    Her approach comprises four points. Securing research infrastructure through better networking between universities and industry, increasing research and development intensity, mobilizing venture capital for PropTechs and conducting strategic foresight in order to use transformation areas such as Klybeckplus as experimental spaces. Her appeal to the industry: “Let’s make it real.”

    Real Estate Award 2026
    To conclude the ImmoTable, Mara Schlumpf turned her attention to the coming year. The next Real Estate Award will take place on October 22, 2026 at Trafo Baden and will bring together around 300 decision-makers from the industry. The gala combines award ceremonies with top-class networking. Outstanding projects and companies will be honored in five categories, such as sustainability, digital, marketing, project development & innovation and the real estate personality of the year. The target group includes project developers, real estate and construction companies, investors, politicians and the media. For partners, the award offers exclusive visibility and access to a first-class network.

    The immoTable event impressively demonstrated that Basel has the capital, the infrastructure and the political will to change. Now it is up to the real estate industry itself to use the funds and areas provided with the necessary innovative spirit and to take the leap from digital antiquity into the future.

  • Between stability, housing protection and growth pressure

    Between stability, housing protection and growth pressure

    Current mood in the Basel real estate industry
    The current situation is ambivalent. On the one hand, Basel enjoys great economic stability and a strong real economic basis, as current market analyses confirm. On the other hand, the shoe is on the other foot when it comes to the actual production of living space. In an international comparison with Paris, San Francisco or London, for example, the cost of housing is still moderate in relation to wages in Basel. But the mood is gloomy. Housing production is not doing well. This is not so much due to a lack of investors, but rather to complex planning processes and home-made hurdles.

    The challenge of housing protection
    A central topic of the debate is Basel’s “housing protection”. The law, originally intended to ensure the social compatibility of renovations and protect tenants, is proving to be an obstacle to investment in practice.

    The criticism is that although the housing protection is well-intentioned, it actually reduces supply. If refurbishments become uneconomical due to excessive requirements, they simply do not take place. Although adjustments have already been made to the ordinance, for example to facilitate energy-efficient renovations, the uncertainty remains. Fewer new apartments are coming onto the market, while immigration continues. This is exacerbating the very shortage that was supposed to be combated. Anyone looking for an apartment today, whether due to family matters, a job change or a move, will find a dried-up market and high prices. The regulation thus protects the existing stock, but puts those who want to enter the market at a disadvantage.

    Lessons for other cantons
    A look across the border shows that Basel currently serves more as a warning than a role model in terms of regulation. The introduction of strict protective provisions is reminiscent of past mistakes (interest rate and regulatory policy 40 years ago). The lesson for other cantons is therefore that supply should not be artificially reduced when it is increasing.

    Another phenomenon is the conversion of office space. What was hardly conceivable four years ago due to yield expectations has suddenly become attractive due to rising interest rates and changing office markets. However, these transformations usually do not create affordable living space, but rather high-priced offers.

    Basel in the Switzerland of 10 million
    Switzerland is growing and Basel is growing with it. The city has enormous potential in the form of former industrial sites (e.g. Klybeck Plus) and transformation areas. Investors would be willing to develop and densify these areas. But the problem is the length of time involved. Planning processes, such as the one for the Klybeck site, take 5 to 6 years before construction can even begin.

    For a Switzerland with 10 million inhabitants, there is no alternative to inner densification. Compromises have to be found, as was the case with the “climate cardinals” initiative. Areas over 30,000 m² should be allowed to be built on more densely, but must meet strict ecological and social criteria. It is important to understand the investor side here, especially pension funds. These manage trust funds for retirement provision and cannot simply cross-subsidize living space. Planning security is the hardest currency here.

    Future and solutions
    What does the future look like? Above all, the sector is calling for acceleration and flexibility. As in Germany, we should discuss the planning turbo and mechanisms would be needed to drastically shorten approval procedures. The real estate of the future must be flexible. What is an office today must be able to be an apartment tomorrow and perhaps an office or logistics space the day after tomorrow. Fragmented monostructures are no longer in keeping with the times. The fear of growth must give way to a desire for design. Quality is created through good internal densification and a mix of uses, not through stagnation.

    The means and the capital would be available to alleviate Basel’s housing shortage. What is lacking is a regulatory environment that enables rather than prevents investment and a planning process that keeps pace with the speed of social change.

  • Generation change at suissetec with Dennis Reichardt

    Generation change at suissetec with Dennis Reichardt

    Dennis Reichardt has been involved in the association for almost two decades and, as an entrepreneur with 120 employees in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing sectors, brings a strong practical focus to the table. His “idée suisse” combines the ambition to position suissetec as a driver of energy efficiency and renewable solutions with a clear commitment to cooperation across all language regions.

    With a focus on quality, promoting young talent and cohesion, Reichardt wants to lead the association in a phase in which building technology plays a key role in achieving climate targets and decarbonizing the building stock. For the industry, this means continuing along the same path, but with an even stronger focus on innovation, the development of skilled workers and an integrated systems approach.

    Continuity through honorary presidency and rolling planning
    With the transition of Daniel Huser to the honorary presidency, suissetec remains closely linked to a leader who has shaped the association for over eleven years and consistently promoted cross-trade thinking. His leadership style, which is interdisciplinary, cooperative and focused on the overall benefit of the industry, forms a frame of reference for the new presidency.

    At the same time, the gradual renewal of the Board of Directors ensures institutional stability. With clearly planned handovers of office and term limits, know-how is passed on continuously without slowing down the impetus for renewal. In this way, suissetec is positioning itself as an association that thinks long-term, plans ahead in terms of personnel and at the same time remains open to new faces and perspectives.

  • Norman Gobbi points to sustainability in Ticino

    Norman Gobbi points to sustainability in Ticino

    Mr. Gobbi, you have recently been in charge of construction in Canton Ticino. What are your first priorities in this area?
    “In my new role as head of the Construction Division, which I have held since September 1, the priority is to initiate contacts with all the main players in the construction sector in Ticino, in order to understand their view of the current situation and prospects-short, medium and long term.”

    How do you intend to make spatial planning in Ticino more sustainable, particularly in the delicate balance between densification and landscape protection?
    “The canton of Ticino has a very different geographic conformation than the highland cantons. Everything is concentrated in the few square meters of the valley floors, which were already heavily anthropized during the 20th century: this makes it very difficult to reconcile all the functions that the territory has to perform, while ensuring the highest possible degree of sustainability and quality of life. The key lies in forward-looking planning, as well as the patience to remedy, step by step, the mistakes inherited from the past.”

    What role does climate change play in your building policy? Are there concrete plans for climate-resilient building in the canton?
    “Ticino stretches from 200 to over 3,000 meters above sea level and is therefore particularly exposed to the effects of climate change. The State Council is aware of this and has included mitigation of these phenomena among the goals of its long-term program.”

    What is your position on promoting the use of wood and modular construction in public building?
    “More than 50 percent of our canton’s land area is covered by forests. So our interest in promoting the use of this abundant and high-quality resource is obvious. The state is there and will play its part in this area: I also expect creative impulses from our Academy of Architecture and, of course, increasing sensitivity from the private sector.”

    Housing space in Ticino is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. What strategies will you adopt to create affordable housing?
    “Our constitution entrusts the management of these issues, first and foremost, to the municipalities: I consider this a wise choice, since local authorities have an in-depth knowledge of what is happening on the territory and can therefore react promptly to changes in the housing context. That said, the canton is following the issue very closely and is ready to take regulatory action where it is appropriate to do so.”

    How will it work with municipalities to ensure consistent and uniform spatial planning?
    “The new Federal Law has completely changed the paradigm, and Ticino has incorporated it into its Master Plan: it is clear that-for the reasons related to the conformation of the territory I mentioned-the issue of densification is particularly delicate for our canton. The implementation of this strategy will require a broad debate both among institutions and within society as a whole.”

    In German and French-speaking Switzerland, economic promotions are very active. How much energy does the canton and individual districts, respectively, economic regions invest in positioning, and what are they doing concretely?
    “Ticino is constantly working to position itself as a dynamic region that is open to innovation. We are just under two hours from the economic hubs of Zurich and Milan, and in the future we can aspire to accommodate realities that want to remain connected to the dynamism of these metropolises without necessarily having to suffer the disadvantages in terms of quality of life.”

    What lessons do you draw from your time as safety director for your new role in the construction industry?
    “Attention to safety is a ‘mindset,’ and it helps in all situations in life-especially in professions where people risk serious or even fatal injuries. So it will be a priority for me to strengthen awareness on these issues and try to strive for a construction industry where people can work without ever having to fear for their safety.”

    How do you manage the transition from a heavily safety-focused area to a more technical one?
    “Our militia system encourages us to be ‘enlightened amateurs,’ avoiding overspecialization and maintaining an awareness that the work of the state is not made up of watertight compartments, but of interconnected organs that must work in constant dialogue.”

    Do you see your new role as a long-term task or rather as a temporary solution until the end of the legislature in 2027?
    “As I have said many times, land management is my great passion after institutions.”

  • Power from the parquet floor

    Power from the parquet floor

    Instead of oak, which is becoming increasingly scarce, the project relies on poplar wood, a fast-growing, climate-tolerant deciduous tree that has hardly been used in the parquet market to date. Using “green chemistry” and the incorporation of lignin from the paper industry, the soft poplar wood is compressed and hardened so that its mechanical properties and surface quality are comparable to oak parquet

    This development addresses two challenges at once. Securing the supply of wood under climate change conditions and substituting petroleum-based floor coverings with bio-based, recyclable products. For manufacturers, this also opens up the possibility of transforming regional, previously “second-rate” wood species into high-quality design flooring

    Parquet sensor and energy source
    The second innovative step lies in the integration of piezoelectric functionality. If the wood is elastically deformed when walking, electrical voltage is generated that is too low in its natural state to be of practical use. By embedding Rochelle salt, a by-product of wine production with a strong piezoelectric effect, in a specially structured wood matrix, a hybrid structure is created that delivers significantly higher voltages and yet remains recyclable

    This “salt-in-wood” technology enables parquet slats that act as sensors themselves. They recognize footfall, presence or movement patterns and can generate enough energy to supply wireless sensors or signals locally

    Applications from smart homes to airports
    In the short term, the researchers are targeting sensor applications in smart homes, such as access monitoring on doors and windows or presence-dependent lighting and climate control. In the medium term, the focus is shifting to highly frequented areas such as airports, train stations, shopping centers and cultural venues such as the Tanzhaus Zürich, where millions of steps per year offer considerable potential for energy conversion

    The big challenge now lies in scaling. Material processes, sensor integration, durability and costs must be industrialized in such a way that “Piezo-Parkett” is transformed from a demonstrator into a market-ready product family. A goal that is receiving a boost from industry partnerships and awards such as the nomination for the “Evergreen Prize for Innovation”.

  • Zurich readjusts housing and transport policy

    Zurich readjusts housing and transport policy

    The counter-proposal to the “More affordable housing” initiative is adopted with around 51% of votes in favor. The credit for cantonal housing subsidies increases from CHF 180 million to CHF 360 million. This will provide cooperatives and non-profit developers with additional funds to realize projects in the affordable segment without directly interfering with ownership contracts

    The actual pre-emption initiative was clearly defeated with almost 60 percent of votes against, although the housing shortage is widely recognized. Voters thus accepted the diagnosis of a tight market, but rejected the instrument of a systematic right of first refusal for the municipalities as too much of an encroachment on freedom of ownership and contract

    Canton takes over the speed sceptre
    The mobility initiative is accepted with just under 57% in favor and establishes 50 km/h as the rule on main traffic routes, while 30 km/h remains possible on short stretches and in justified exceptional cases. In future, it will no longer be Zurich and Winterthur but the canton that decides on speed limits on main roads. A change of power that sets tight limits on urban traffic policies

    As a result, voters will strengthen cantonal control of motorized traffic and weaken municipal attempts to implement noise and safety goals more broadly by means of 30 km/h speed limits. For planners and investors, this means more regulatory clarity at the network level, but less scope for neighborhood-related traffic and urban development policy experiments

    Digital rights and premium reduction fail
    The initiative “For a fundamental right to digital integrity” received little support with around 25% of votes in favor. The more moderate counter-proposal was also rejected with a good 55% voting against. Neither an explicit right to a “mobile phone-free life” nor additional constitutional guarantees against surveillance and data analysis were convincing. The canton is therefore not given a constitutionally enhanced mandate in the digital space

    The increase in cantonal premium reductions was also rejected, although around CHF 1.3 billion already flows into this pot today. The No to an additional CHF 50 million per year signals fiscal restraint and leaves low-income households caught between rising healthcare costs and stagnating transfer payments

    Signals for the housing market and planning
    For housing construction in the canton of Zurich, the package means more subsidies, but no new coercive instruments under planning law such as a general right of first refusal. Municipalities and cooperatives must therefore focus their strategies more on cooperation, mobilizing building land and accelerating approval procedures rather than on direct market intervention

    Overall, the vote shows an urban-rural tension. The housing shortage is recognized, but financial incentives and cantonal control are preferred to far-reaching interventions in property rights or everyday mobility. For the real estate industry, planning and politics, this opens up a field in which the implementation of increased housing subsidies becomes a decisive lever.

  • Why 2026 could be the year of the construction strike

    Why 2026 could be the year of the construction strike

    The national collective agreement for around 80,000 employees in the main construction industry regulates wages, working and travel times, bonuses and protection against dismissal and expires at the end of 2025. After several inconclusive rounds of negotiations, Unia and Syna are warning that without an agreement, a situation without a contract will arise and nationwide industrial action is likely

    At the same time, the days of protest, most recently in several cities in Ticino, are increasing the pressure on the employer side and signaling a high willingness to strike at grassroots level. In a major survey, around 90 percent of 20,000 construction workers were in favor of strike action if no viable compromise could be reached

    Trade union demands
    The trade unions are focusing on three issues: more family-friendly working hours, legally secure travel times and safeguarding purchasing power. Among other things, they are demanding a maximum of eight hours per day, a paid snack break, full recognition of travel time to the construction site, guaranteed compensation for inflation and real wage increases after years of falling real wages

    The previous practice, according to which travel time is often only partially paid or not paid at all, was criticized by Seco as not complying with mandatory labour law, which increases the pressure to clarify this point in the new contract in a binding manner. From the trade unions’ point of view, the improvement in conditions is also a response to the shortage of skilled workers that has plagued the construction industry for years

    Position of the master builders
    The Swiss Association of Master Builders points to the already high minimum wages throughout Europe and offers automatic inflation adjustments to the minimum wages as well as additional wage increases via bonuses in the coming years. At the same time, it is insisting on more flexibility, daily and annual working hours, more flexitime, work on selected Saturdays without a supplement and adjustments to bad weather regulations

    The association believes that the unions’ demands will drive up wage costs by 12 to 15 percent and jeopardize the industry’s competitiveness, particularly in view of rising construction costs and an uncertain order situation. The association has signaled some concessions regarding the protection of older employees against dismissal, but has linked this to an agreement on the wage package

    Escalation or compromise?
    The trade unions warn that the employers’ flexibility model will result in longer attendance times of up to 50 hours per week, more overtime without a bonus and greater uncertainty in the event of order slumps, with particular risks for older construction workers. Conversely, the master builders’ association criticizes the protest days as a breach of the contractual obligation to maintain peace and accuses the unions of blocking a sustainable collective agreement with maximum demands

    Whether 2026 will actually start with a nationwide construction strike will be decided at the negotiating table in the coming weeks. This is where tough positions must be turned into a viable compromise for an industry that is under pressure from both costs and skilled workers.

  • Basel Area has developed into a life sciences supercluster

    Basel Area has developed into a life sciences supercluster

    Specifically, Basel Area Business & Innovation works on the one hand to attract foreign companies that are expanding to the Basel region. On the other hand, the non-profit organization supports innovative start-ups in their foundation. In both areas of activity, the focus is on the region’s leading industries of life sciences, healthcare technology and production technology.

    As a third pillar, Basel Area Business & Innovation operates the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, which is also home to its own accelerator programs BaseLaunch and DayOne. At its three locations on the Main Campus in Allschwil, the Novartis Campus in Basel and in the canton of Jura, the Innovation Park offers a large number of start-ups a state-of-the-art infrastructure and a wide range of services so that they can concentrate on research and promising projects.

    The Basel Area has undergone enormous economic development in recent decades. The constant transformation of the business location has been decisive. Silk ribbon production in the 19th century gave rise to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. At the end of the 20th century, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries finally went their separate ways and the pharmaceutical companies Roche and Novartis subsequently left their mark on the location. Over the past 20 years, small, agile biotech start-ups and private research institutions have enriched the ecosystem. Today, the Basel Area is regarded as Europe’s most important location for pharma and biotech and as an actual life sciences supercluster, in which the healthtech and medtech sectors are also strongly represented.

    The Basel Area’s life sciences ecosystem currently consists of more than 800 companies, over 1,000 research groups and around 35,000 specialists. It is unique in Europe that the entire value chain is represented in the Basel Area. From basic research at university institutes to the further development of innovations in the laboratory by start-ups or the research and development departments of established pharmaceutical companies through to the market launch, production and distribution of medicines.

    The Basel Area also offers the opportunity to conduct clinical trials at local hospitals and to be supplied with active ingredients by various pharmaceutical suppliers. CDMO Lonza, Bachem, Primopus, Celonic, Corden Pharma and ten23 health are all present in the Basel Area. There are also plenty of local service providers that are necessary for the functioning of the life sciences industry, for example in the areas of logistics, consulting and ICT.

    The academic landscape has developed in parallel with the growth of the industry. While the University of Basel has long focused on life sciences, the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich was added a few years ago. It expands the research capacities of privately financed institutes such as the Friedrich Miescher Institute, Roche’s Institute of Human Biology and the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering.

    Finally, the infrastructure is another ace up the Basel Area’s sleeve. Additional laboratory space has been created in recent years, and more will follow in the coming years. Companies that need laboratories can now choose from numerous providers such as Superlabs, iCITY Reinach, Tech Park Basel or Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area. Office space with meeting rooms is also easy to find, whether in a coworking area, a dedicated office or an open-plan office.

    In short, the Basel Area boasts a uniquely high density of companies and specialists in the life sciences sector. No other location in the world has so much to offer in so little space.

    Find out more:
    www.baselarea.swiss
    www.baselsupercluster.com

  • Basel is building the future with responsibility

    Basel is building the future with responsibility

    Mr. Hess, you have been involved in the Basel economic region for many years in various roles. What milestones or formative developments have you particularly remembered during this time?
    Today, politics and administration are much more interested in the needs of the economy than when I started working for the canton. Visible examples of mutual trust are the site developments by Novartis, Roche and Lonza and the multi-billion euro investments by these and other companies at the location. In addition to nurturing existing companies, Basel-Stadt has also massively increased its promotion of innovation. Since 2024, almost 68 million francs have been invested over eight years in nine programs in the areas of life sciences, digital innovation and the sustainable economy. The latest addition is the Basel location package. Depending on the budget situation, the canton is investing between 150 and 500 million francs per year in strengthening the attractiveness of the location. Almost all of the money goes to companies in Basel.

    Basel is considered one of the most dynamic business locations in Switzerland.
    How do you assess the current economic situation in the canton of Basel-Stadt?
    Thanks to our industry structure, Basel-Stadt is doing well economically. The erratic economic policy of the USA has hardly left any traces, even if it does pose challenges for our companies. The current position of the location can be seen, for example, in the cantonal competitiveness indicator of UBS, where Basel-Stadt is again in second place of all Swiss cantons this year. Or the triple A rating that the rating agency S&P has once again awarded the canton. Both encourage us to continue on our chosen path – as an innovative and reliable partner to the economy.

    What is the current focus of location promotion for urban areas and residential construction?
    The cantonal development plan envisages a population and employment target of 220,000 by 2035. People need living space, but also areas to work and ideally short distances between home and work. We strive to provide companies in the canton of Basel-Stadt with sufficient available high-quality space as a locational advantage. A particular focus here is on securing production space and an optimized supply of space for scale-ups.

    What are the challenges posed by a shortage of space and high demand? How is Basel-Stadt solving these?
    A major challenge in Basel-Stadt is the competition for space in the limited space available due to cantonal and national borders. We often hear from those involved in real estate project development that it is not a problem to build upwards in Basel. It is also important to make optimum use of the potential of the transformation sites in order to create more space for living and working areas.

    What are the most important findings from the Basel location package for site development?
    The Basel location package is attractive for site developers and investors, as taxable companies in Basel-Stadt that spend on research and development, parental leave, climate protection and energy efficiency can receive substantial subsidies. This facilitates the establishment and promotes the growth of companies on sites in the canton.

    How does the canton of Basel-Stadt accompany and support the transformation of industrial sites into modern residential and working quarters?
    Through an active and systematic exchange with companies and landowners. At the AWA, we not only know about a company’s confidential, potential development steps, but can also provide the company with the necessary development sites.

    What role do investors and developers play for Basel today?
    Both play an important role. They invest in underutilized, partially derelict land in order to develop it and generate substantial added value for Basel as a location. However, transformation sites are also in the public eye due to their size. All parties involved must take this responsibility into account.

    How does the promotion of start-ups and life sciences contribute to real estate development?
    A concrete example: the canton has been operating the Tech Park Basel for 14 years. We offer small-scale laboratory and office space there at attractive rental conditions. Start-ups that outgrow Tech Park Basel then look for larger spaces on commercial terms. We are therefore producing a pipeline of mature, well-financed startups (mostly biotechs) for the benefit of the private, unsubsidized real estate market.

    What future trends do you see for Basel up to 2030, particularly with regard to digitalization and new forms of work?
    Job quality is much more important today than it used to be. Digitalization could further drive the flexibilization of space rental. Our experience shows that some companies are looking for rental space where, for example, a meeting room can be booked flexibly via an app. Although Basel has a healthy supply of office space, it is still not so easy to find this type of space through real estate agencies.

    They will enter a well-deserved retirement in the next few years.
    What skills are particularly important for your succession?
    Skills are important. But personal qualities are even more important. These include entrepreneurial thinking, enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, perseverance and the joy of working together in a great team to develop the site every day. I have a bit of a problem with the term “retirement” anyway. I love my work as a “public entrepreneur” and would like to remain involved in areas that are important to me personally even after I leave my current position in May 2027.

  • Decentralized wastewater solutions are gaining in importance

    Decentralized wastewater solutions are gaining in importance

    In Switzerland, as in other European countries, wastewater from households is disposed of and treated centrally. Wastewater from toilets, kitchens, washing machines and dishwashers are mixed together. This makes recycling much more difficult. In order to reduce this problem, researchers at the Eawag water research institute in Dübendorf are working on possible decentralized solutions, according to a press release.

    The aim of these solutions is to separate the various wastewater streams at the point of origin. They could then be treated on site or nearby and resources such as clean water, nutrients and energy could be recovered. The Water Research Institute has now launched a toolbox to provide architects and construction planners with an overview of technologies and practical applications. Among other things, it presents various examples of implementation. These range from solutions for individual households to wastewater treatment for entire neighborhoods. The toolbox contains three groups of fact sheets ranging from the definition of objectives and the selection of a strategy to possible application technologies.

  • New pipe bridge strengthens regional district heating network

    New pipe bridge strengthens regional district heating network

    BRUGG Pipes from Kleindöttingen, part of the Brugg-based BRUGG Group AG, has supplied pre-insulated district heating pipes for a crossing of the A4 highway. The bridge element between Holzhäusern and Rotkreuz was lifted into place at the end of October, according to a press release. During assembly, two 48-metre-long pipes suitable for bridge structures were installed. They weigh 4.9 tons without water.

    The pipe bridge connects existing and new sections of the Ennetsee heating network. Further districts and commercial locations in Rotkreuz ZG, Cham ZG and neighboring areas are to be connected to the district heating network. The client for the project is WWZ. The company B S AG was responsible for the planning and construction management of the bridge, supported by Hodel SHLK AG as the pipe constructor. “I am delighted with how WWZ, B S, Hodel SHLK and the other partners implemented this project in a spirit of partnership and with the utmost precision. Laying our pipes like this with our own bridge is definitely not an everyday occurrence. I am all the more pleased that the installation was successful and that our pre-insulated pipe systems are now supporting the expansion of the Ennetsee heating network and decarbonization,” said Martin Rigaud, CEO of BRUGG Pipes, in the press release.

    WWZ uses the waste heat from the Renergia waste incineration plant in Perlen LU as a heat source. Cham is also to be supplied with district heating from the project by fall 2026. Overall, the expansion of the network is expected to save around 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

  • Real estate prices remain high

    Real estate prices remain high

    Real estate prices will remain on an upward trend in 2026. Forecasts by Zürcher Kantonalbank(ZKB) predict a price increase of 4.5 percent. The abolition of the imputed rental value will have no impact on this, nor will the baby boomers change the situation, according to a press release on the latest Immobilien aktuell study.

    On the housing market as a whole, the pressure on owners, tenants and tradespeople is growing as a result of the housing shortage and immigration. Switzerland is dependent on immigration, but the influx is “exacerbating the demand for housing in already tight markets”. One in four newcomers move to the five largest cities – one in ten to Zurich.

    The ZKB experts expect the situation to remain tight as a result of a drop in demand for rental apartments. Vacancy rates are at a record low and are having a particular impact on the relocation behavior of young adults. In 2023, 15 percent fewer people between the ages of 21 and 25 will have moved than in 2020. “Many will stay in Hotel Mama because there is no suitable living space available,” they say.

    Demographic change will not have a price-reducing effect. “Baby boomers are expected to increase the supply of single-family homes by around 14% and condominiums by 10% by 2035,” it says. “Demographic change will change the market, but will not trigger a price slump,” Ursina Kubli, Head of Real Estate Research at ZKB, is quoted as saying. Prices for second homes rose by 40 percent in 2019 and 2024, but will remain at a high level after a slight decline in 2025.

    ZKB’s forecasts are based on studies of the abolition of the imputed rental value, the supply restriction for rental apartments, a possible wave of sales by the baby boomer generation, market influences due to immigration and the changed vacation apartment market.

  • Video technology improves occupational safety on construction sites

    Video technology improves occupational safety on construction sites

    Zurich North America and Zurich Resilience Solutions (ZRS), the risk manager of insurer Zurich, will require the use of Arrowsight technology on all Zurich-insured construction completion projects in New York City. Arrowsight, based in Katonah, New York, focuses on video-based behavior modification and coaching analytics to improve jobsite safety and reduce workplace accidents.

    The background to the collaboration announced in a press release is a three-year pilot program in which Arrowsight video analysis and coaching was applied to eight major construction projects and one complex civil engineering project. Compared to twelve construction projects on which the safety technologies were not used, the Arrowsight work resulted in 50 percent fewer workplace accident reports.

    “Increasing worker safety while reducing risk and potential fraud with our cost-effective video equipment is a milestone for the industry. The reduction in the frequency and cost of claims is a direct result of compliance with workplace safety regulations – from 70 percent before the introduction of Arrowsight to 97 to 100 percent after using our technology,” Adam Aronson, founder and CEO of Arrowsight, is quoted in the press release. “We have been working with Zurich and Arrowsight on a major project in New York City since 2024 and are very pleased with how few claims we have had so far,” says Deborah Broom, VP Risk Management at Tutor Perini Corp, a participating construction company.

    Arrowsight will operate throughout the US as the exclusive provider of camera-based construction site technology for Zurich North America. Zurich Resilience Solutions will be the exclusive risk management service provider for Arrowsight.

  • New digital solutions for the real estate market

    New digital solutions for the real estate market

    SMG Real Estate, part of the SMG Swiss Marketplace Group, is expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of the Swiss business of immoverkauf24 from Hamburg. According to a press release, the acquisition particularly strengthens the digital acquisition of properties for sale. With this step, SMG Real Estate is strengthening the business base of partnered real estate agents and creating new opportunities to broker real estate more efficiently.

    The integration of www.immoverkauf24.ch-Portals will take place as part of an asset deal, meaning that employees will not be taken over or integrated. The real estate platform’s business in Germany and Austria will continue unchanged. According to the press release, the background to the takeover is the highly competitive Swiss residential market, particularly for owner-occupied homes for sale. Acquiring mandates is “more important than ever” for real estate professionals, but is also associated with increasing competition for contacts for prospective sellers.

    “With immoverkauf24, we are adding another piece of the puzzle to our existing platform portfolio. The platform fits seamlessly into our strategy of providing real estate agents with the best digital tools throughout the entire marketing process – from the acquisition of new sales mandates to successful completion,” says Martin Waeber, Managing Director of SMG Real Estate

    SMG Real Estate already operates ImmoScout24, Homegate and Flatfox. It is part of the SMG Swiss Marketplace Group, a network of digital marketplaces operated by TX Group, Ringier and Mobiliar.

  • Renewable gas strengthens local supply

    Renewable gas strengthens local supply

    Since October, some of the sewage gas from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of the Aargau and Surroundings Wastewater Association(AVAU) in Telli in Aarau has also been used to supply heat locally. According to a press release, Green Power Aarau AG processes the gas, which is then fed into the natural gas network of Eniwa AG.

    This replaces fossil natural gas with renewable gas. According to the press release, the quantities are currently still manageable. However, they should be significantly increased with the ARA expansion.

    “With this project, we are demonstrating how the by-product sewage gas can be turned into a valuable energy source,” said Hans-Kaspar Scherrer, CEO of Eniwa and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Green Power Aarau AG, in the press release. “The collaboration between AVAU, Green Power Aarau and Eniwa is a strong example of how the circular economy works in practice in the region.” According to Scherrer, the three companies are jointly contributing to a sustainable energy supply and the reduction of CO2 emissions, as well as strengthening local value creation.

  • Central Switzerland’s first alpine solar plant goes online

    Central Switzerland’s first alpine solar plant goes online

    energieUri has connected the first alpine solar plant in Central Switzerland to the grid on the Sidenplangg in the municipality of Spiringen, according to a press release. The plant at an altitude of 1,800 to 2,000 meters is set to generate 12.5 gigawatt hours of electricity per year with a total output of 8 megawatts when fully expanded. Almost half of this will be produced in winter.

    The plant currently supplies 13 percent of the planned electricity. This qualifies it for funding under the Solarexpress program. Work is due to resume in spring and be completed by the end of 2028.

    APV Sidenplangg AG is owned by the Uri-based energy supplier energieUri AG as the initiator and aventron AG, based in Münchenstein BL. “Such power plant projects create and secure highly qualified jobs in the region – be it in the planning, realization or future operation and energy management by energieUri,” says Werner Jauch. CEO of energieUri and Chairman of the Board of Directors of APV Sidenplangg AG, is quoted in the press release.