Nuavo Holdings AG has made its first investment together with Swiss entrepreneurs and acquired Domofen AG, based in Courgenay. Founded by Claude Beynon in 1999, the company manufactures PVC windows and doors and has been managed by his son Fabrice since 2018. Under his aegis, Domofen has expanded considerably over the past five years and invested in new production facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, according to a Nuavo press release.
Fabrice Beynon wants to further expand the family legacy with this partnership: “Choosing Nuavo as a partner was a natural decision,” he is quoted as saying. “In addition to their financial commitment, their entrepreneurial thinking and practical approach make them the ideal partner for Domofen. They respect our heritage, our team and our vision for the future and I look forward to working with them.” As a co-shareholder and key member of the management team, Fabrice Beynon will continue to be actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the company.
“Domofen is exactly the kind of company we founded Nuavo for,” says co-founder Philipp Ries. “We see Domofen as a solid company with incredible potential and our goal is to work with the team to create new opportunities while preserving the company’s unique identity.”
Nuavo’s founding team of three also includes Raphael Gindrat, founder and former CEO of Bestmile. The start-up’s platform for orchestrating autonomous vehicle fleets was acquired by technology group ZF in 2021. As Gindrat now emphasises in a separate announcement, Domofen will continue its operations “with the same team, the same values and the same excellence”. And he emphasises: “At Nuavo, we do things differently. We are not just investors – we are entrepreneurs investing in entrepreneurs.”
Sika is continuing its expansion plans in the USA and has acquired HPS North America, Inc. from Florence in the US state of Alabama. According to a press release, the supplier of products including self-levelling and waterproofing solutions has successfully developed in the American market.
The products are reportedly sold through an established distribution network and are designed for use on floors. These include products of the Schönox brand, which Sika Germany manufactures. Sika had already held a minority stake in HPS North America.
The takeover provides the Baar-based company, which specialises in speciality chemicals, with a “strong platform for further expansion in the growing Building Finishing segment” and expects significant efficiency gains.
“With the integration of the HPS business into our US organisation, we will be able to drive forward the expansion of our business relationships and distribution networks in the building finishing market at full speed,” said Mike Campion, Regional Head Americas at Sika, in the press release.
Wärme Thalwil AG was founded in February 2025 to provide the population with a climate-friendly district heating supply. According to a press release, the company is the result of a collaboration between the municipality of Thalwil and Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich(EKZ). Thalwil holds a 49 per cent stake in the new company and EKZ holds 51 per cent. The foundation was preceded by a referendum in September 2024, in which 79.8 per cent of voters voted in favour of the new company.
“By founding Wärme Thalwil AG, we are sending a clear signal in favour of a resource-conserving and climate-friendly heat supply in our municipality,” said Andy Fellmann, municipal engineer of Thalwil, in the press release. “In addition, the collaboration between the municipality and EKZ allows synergies to be utilised and the existing infrastructure to be developed efficiently.”
Martin Nicklas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wärme Thalwil AG and Head of Energy Solutions and Energy Contracting at EKZ, states that the aim of the new company is to supply 3,000 residents with sustainable heat. The next step is to create an additional heating network, a decision on which is to be made in 2026.
Cham Group recorded a remarkable increase in the value of its property portfolio of CHF 184.7 million to a total of CHF 703.2 million in the last financial year. This positive development is attributable to several factors. Progress in the planning and construction development of the neighbourhood, high demand for the space being created and a favourable interest rate environment. These factors have significantly increased the Cham Group’s earnings potential.
The Cham Group’s net profit totalled CHF 168.2 million, compared with CHF 15.6 million in the previous year. In addition, rental income increased by 9.8 per cent to CHF 8.1 million. The operating result before revaluation totalled CHF 6.7 million. With an equity ratio of 73.5 per cent and an unchanged dividend of CHF 12 per share, Cham Group has a solid financial basis.
Operational strength despite special factors Ina Invest was operationally in the black in the past financial year, but suffered a net loss of CHF 17.4 million. This loss is mainly due to a payment of CHF 34.7 million to Implenia, which was made as part of the planned merger with Cham Group. Excluding this one-off effect and taking into account changes in market value, EBIT totalled CHF 20.4 million.
Ina Invest’s property portfolio is estimated at CHF 862 million at the end of 2024, with revaluations of CHF 15.4 million. Rental income remained constant at CHF 15.4 million. Despite the challenges, Ina Invest plans to distribute a dividend of 20 centimes per share.
Merger to form Cham Swiss Properties AG The planned merger of Ina Invest and Cham Group will create a new property company with a combined portfolio of around CHF 1.6 billion. The merged company will have a residential share of around 60 per cent and an equity ratio of around 57 per cent. This merger promises to combine the strengths of both companies and offer a diversified, sustainable property portfolio.
The shareholders of both companies will vote on the merger at the Annual General Meetings on 31 March. The approval of the shareholders will be decisive in realising the strategic goals of the new Cham Swiss Properties AG.
A strong future The merger of Ina Invest and Cham Group offers the opportunity to create a leading property company in Switzerland. With a high-quality, sustainable portfolio and a solid financial base, the two companies are well positioned to move into the future together. The synergies from this merger could lead to further increases in value and an improved market position.
The property industry will be keeping a close eye on developments surrounding Cham Swiss Properties AG, as the merger signals the trend towards consolidation and strategic realignment in a highly competitive market.
This more comprehensive article provides a detailed and forward-looking overview of the upcoming merger of Ina Invest and Cham Group, as well as their financial performance and strategic direction.
The hydrogen economy is facing a decisive turning point. Strong networking between producers, customers and transport service providers is required to ensure an efficient market ramp-up. This is where MatcH2, an innovative digital platform initiated and promoted by Axpo, comes in. This platform aims to bring together the various players in the hydrogen market and thus make an important contribution to decarbonisation.
Axpo as a driving force Axpo has set itself the goal of actively promoting the hydrogen economy in Switzerland and Europe. By sponsoring MatcH2, Axpo is creating a network that connects customers, producers and transport service providers. Michael Limacher emphasises: “We are demonstrating the available supply of green molecules and thus strengthening the confidence of potential customers in a reliable supply.”
Innovation through collaboration The idea arose from the collaboration between Axpo and the start-up hub Bluelion. Simon Weiher, emphasises the importance of open innovation: “The partnership with Bluelion helps us to find the right start-ups for selected challenges. I am delighted that this approach was also successful in this project.”
Planning security for everyone involved Both producers and buyers need planning security to ensure that the market ramp-up is successful. The platform informs consumers about the availability of green hydrogen in Switzerland and provides producers with an overview of their customers’ self-declared hydrogen requirements. This creates planning security for production projects and enables coordinated development of the hydrogen economy.
Networking and a common market The platform promotes exchange in the hydrogen market and also includes service providers who ensure transport between producers and consumers. Luka Cuderman emphasises: “MatcH2 is not a trading platform, but a networking platform.” Guy Bühler adds: “Through the involvement of various H2 players, the platform actively supports the development of the hydrogen market in Switzerland.”
A step towards the energy transition With MatcH2, the company is creating a solid foundation for progress in decarbonisation and making an important contribution to the energy transition. The platform impressively demonstrates how the future of the hydrogen economy can be shaped through innovative networking and collaboration.
The FRZ Zurich Airport Region is strengthening its commitment to sustainability. It founded a sustainability advisory board on 6 February, the business network announced in a press release. “Sustainability is not a trend, but a decisive success factor for companies and society,” it says, explaining the background to the decision.
The new advisory board will act as a “leading competence centre” for sustainable innovations in the region. Specifically, its aim is to support companies, cities and municipalities in the introduction of sustainable business models. To this end, best practices are to be promoted and stakeholders from business, science and politics are to be brought together.
The tasks of the new advisory board will also include the presentation of the FRZ Excellence Award. Each year, it will recognise outstanding achievements in ecology, social responsibility and innovation by member companies of the FRZ Zurich Airport Region.
The members of the Sustainability Advisory Board include Mario Angst from the University of Zurich, Willi Gärtner from Planzer, Thomas Meier from the Swiss Safety Centre and the former Managing Director of the Greater Zurich Area, Sonja Wollkopf. In total, four women and nine men from business, science and politics are represented on the advisory board. The full list of members, including links to their LinkedIn profiles, can be found in the press release from the FRZ Zurich Airport Region.
According to a press release, the Dietikon-based construction company Walo Bertschinger is starting civil engineering work on the cable systems of the Elektrizitätswerk der Stadt Zürich(ewz) directly at Zurich-Stadelhofen railway station. Walo has been awarded an annual contract by ewz from 2024 to 2028. This makes Walo one of four companies involved in important infrastructure projects. Walo Bertschinger will start civil engineering work on ewz’s cable systems directly at Stadelhofen station in February.
ewz is responsible for the secure and efficient operation of the distribution grid in the city of Zurich and parts of the canton of Graubünden, ewz says. ewz’s modern and intelligent metering and grid infrastructure ensures security of supply in the city of Zurich. In the long term, this infrastructure supports Zurich’s net-zero target for 2040 and the preservation of quality of life in the city. At the same time, it is a prerequisite for further networking and digitalisation.
Dormakaba is divesting dormakaba Kuwait for Ready Made Windows LLC. The company, which describes itself as one of the world’s three leading companies in the market for access solutions, announced that the transaction was completed on 19 February 2025.
The buyer is the local management. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial terms.
According to the press release, the Kuwaiti company will remain in the market and operate as a service partner in the country. Under the new owner, it will operate as Dormatic Kuwait.
The transaction is reportedly in line with dormakaba’s strategic focus on core markets and reducing complexity. At the beginning of January 2025, for example, the company announced that it had also handed over its sub-Saharan African business to local management in the form of the South African company dormakaba South Africa (Pty) Ltd. It too will serve as an exclusive dormakaba partner in the region. Other recent announcements indicate that the locations in Canada and India have been strengthened at the same time.
On 4 February 2025, Dormakaba announced a “significant increase” in reported operating profit compared to the previous year. The half-year results will be published on 25 February 2025.
The Zug Estates Group generated net profit excluding revaluations and special effects of CHF 36.9 million in the 2024 financial year, the real estate company, which focuses on the Zug economic and living environment, announced in a press release. This corresponds to year-on-year growth of 9.0 per cent. Shareholders are to participate in the profit with a 6.8 per cent increase in the ordinary dividend.
The press release cites the Group’s property income as the growth driver. It increased by 5.5 per cent year-on-year to CHF 69.3 million. The Hotel & Catering segment contributed CHF 15.5 million to total income. Total operating income increased by 4.7 per cent to CHF 88.8 million.
At CHF 58.7 million, Group profit including revaluations and special effects in 2024 was 142.7 per cent higher than in the previous year. The increase is primarily attributable to revaluation gains totalling CHF 24.8 million. In addition, Zug Estates invested a total of CHF 8.1 million in new construction and renovation projects in the year under review. At CHF 1.86 billion, the market value of the Group’s entire portfolio at the end of 2024 was 1.7 percent higher than the previous year’s figure.
In addition, Zug Etates had a practically fully let property portfolio at the end of the financial year: The vacancy rate was reduced from 3.9 to 0.7 percent compared with the previous year, which was characterised by conversions. In the year under review, the Group was able to extend or conclude new commercial leases totalling more than CHF 5.4 million a year.
Raumwerke manufaktur AG has relocated its headquarters and production from Frauenfeld to neighbouring Felben-Wellhusen, according to a press release. The company, which emerged from a carpentry workshop, develops room elements that bring nature into people’s living and working environments.
The idea behind it: Natural materials influence humidity, acoustics and overall room quality. Raumwerke uses materials such as cork, moss and stone veneer. The aim is always to produce as little waste as possible. The new location makes it possible to visualise the basic idea in experience spaces.
Patrick Hangartner favours cooperation with other providers. Raumwerke has therefore created the Nature in Space network. The new site in Felben is gradually being developed into a centre of excellence for healthy spaces. “We are open to other partner companies,” says the Managing Director and President of the Board of Directors of raumwerke manufaktur AG.
The coworking centre that Rent.Group is furnishing in the Klybeck area in Kleinbasel shows what this kind of collaboration between different providers can look like. There, raumwerke and FARMii, a brand of FrugalTec in Diepoldsau SG, have jointly installed temporary moss and lettuce walls.
Frauenfeld-based HRS will be the total contractor for the construction of the new Körber Business Area Pharma building in Grabs. According to a press release, the foundation stone was laid on 13 February.
In addition to the existing building at the site, a basement, two production floors and two office floors will be built on a vacant site. A total of 7500 square metres of production space and 5000 square metres of office space will then be created in the new building. The building itself will fulfil current sustainability and energy efficiency requirements. In addition to its own photovoltaic system on the roof, extensive charging facilities for electric cars will also be provided, according to the press release.
The new building, which is scheduled for completion in 2027, will bring together all the resources of Körber’s Business Area Pharma.
“The new building plays a central role in our planned growth, which is centred around our customers and, of course, our employees,” said Christoph Hammer, CEO Packaging of the Körber Business Area Pharma in Grabs, in the press release. “In addition to our spatial capacities, we are also growing our team. More than 360 colleagues are already working on the development and production of our technologies at the site. By the end of this year, this figure is set to rise to more than 390. We are creating a state-of-the-art working environment for them.”
Raiffeisen has analysed the planned abolition of the taxation of imputed rental value for owner-occupied residential property. In the winter session in December, the Federal Parliament decided to change the system of home ownership taxation. Now the people have the final say at the ballot box, according to a press release from Switzerland’s second-largest banking group.
If the proposal is accepted, homeowners would realise considerable tax savings in some cases, depending on the type of household, given the prevailing low interest rates. The housing cost advantage of home ownership over renting is growing steadily and could rise to up to 30 per cent over the course of the year.
If the imputed rental value were to be abolished, home ownership would become noticeably more financially attractive overall in the current market environment and consequently also increase in value, according to Raiffeisen. However, homes in need of renovation are likely to lose value due to the elimination of deferred tax deductions as a result of the reform.
“One of the potential losers of the reform is the construction industry. Although it is likely to benefit from many last-minute orders in the short term during the transitional phase until the reform comes into force, in the long term fewer funds will flow into the renovation of residential buildings due to the elimination of a large proportion of tax maintenance deductions,” Fredy Hasenmaile, Chief Economist at Raiffeisen Switzerland, is quoted as saying.
If the prevailing interest rate environment remains unchanged, the tax authorities would also have to reckon with billions in lower revenues for years to come as a result of the reform.
KONE has received an A grade from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for outstanding environmental transparency and climate protection measures. The global manufacturer of lifts, escalators and automatic doors, which is based in Espoo, Finland, and has its Swiss headquarters in Brüttisellen, is one of the few companies out of a total of 25,000 to receive a top grade, KONEannounced in a press release. In addition, CDP has awarded the company an A or A- rating for the twelfth time in a row. KONE sees this as confirmation of its consistent sustainability and environmental management.
“It is an honour for us to receive a place on CDP’s prestigious A-list for climate protection,” Kirsi Simola-Laaksonen, Senior Vice President Sustainability and Environment at KONE, is quoted as saying in the press release. “We are accelerating our efforts to reduce our carbon emissions and help our customers decarbonise.” For example, KONE’s technologies help to reduce the energy consumption of lifts, explains the KONE manager.
In its own operations, KONE has committed to halving its operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2030 compared to 2018. Indirect emissions from the value chain (Scope 3) are to be reduced by 40 per cent over the same period. Last year, KONE’s operational emissions were already 29 per cent lower than in the base year 2018. At the same time, Scope 3 emissions were reduced by 12.8 per cent. In addition, KONE was “the first company in the industry” to achieve “carbon-neutral production units worldwide” as early as summer 2023, according to the press release.
Pix4D, a company specialising in photogrammetry based in Prilly near Lausanne, has signed a strategic agreement with measurement specialist Topcon Positioning Systems, according to a press release. Topcon, headquartered in Livermore, California, is a developer, manufacturer and distributor of precision measurement and workflow solutions for the global construction, geospatial and agricultural markets.
Topcon becomes an authorised distributor for the Pix4D photogrammetry software portfolio, which provides greater access to high-precision positioning and 3D mapping technologies. The offering is aimed at professionals in the fields of surveying and mapping, architecture, engineering and construction, energy and utility infrastructure, as well as public safety and forensics, according to the press release.
The agreement to work closely with Topcon is “an important milestone in Pix4D’s growth strategy”, according to Andrey Kleymenov, CEO of Pix4D. “The combination of Topcon’s precision positioning technology and Pix4D’s advanced photogrammetry and GeoFusion algorithms creates a powerful set of solutions for utility, infrastructure and horizontal construction professionals worldwide.”
“The integration of Topcon’s precision positioning technology with Pix4D’s photogrammetry expertise is another great example of the kind of collaboration that has always benefited the geospatial industry,” said Murray Lodge, Executive Vice President of Topcon Positioning Systems.
The Rotkreuz-based Charta Kreislauforientiertes Bauen has published guidelines for sustainable and circular economy-orientated construction. According to a press release, the guidelines are intended to provide a practical basis for reducing non-renewable primary raw materials, lowering grey greenhouse gas emissions and improving the circularity of construction projects. The guideline is aimed at all partner organisations of the charter and also at interested building owners and investors. In addition to specific material instructions, the guidelines also take into account national and international environmental targets.
Clear key indicators such as the Circularity Index Construction (CIC) are used to ensure transparency and comprehensible measurements of success. These enable the origin of materials to be recorded and grey greenhouse gas emissions to be measured.
“The guidelines are more than just a guide – they are a practical tool that enables the Charter partner organisations to implement circular strategies in construction projects in a targeted and measurable way,” says Philipp Cescato, Charter Manager of the Circular Construction Charter, in the press release. “We create transparency and comparability with clearly defined indicators.”
Obrist interior AG is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. Founded in 1885 as a small joinery, the company has “developed into a global industry leader” during this time, writes Obrist interior in a press release. With the celebrations in its anniversary year, the specialist for high-quality interiors in shopfitting and interior design wants to honour its employees in particular. “We would not be where we are today without their skills, commitment and endeavours to achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction,” CEO and owner Stefan Slamanig is quoted as saying in the press release.
Obrist interior’s recipe for success is based on entrepreneurial agility, the company writes. The company based in Inwil, for example, relied on innovative technologies such as CNC machines, 3D printing, virtual reality and lean management long before these became standard in the industry. “We also work exclusively with the best in the industry when it comes to transport logistics and on-site assembly and always have our own experts on site for quality assurance purposes,” explains Chief Sales Officer Corrado Tona.
In the press release, CEO Slamanig also refers to the plans announced last year for an extension in Inwil. A modular concept is to be implemented here to create space for more employees, additional production capacity, research and co-working. Obrist interior is currently in the final of the Swiss Venture Club‘s Prix Zentralschweiz 2025 together with four other companies.
Global demand for batteries is expected to triple by 2030 and reach between 4.0 and 4.6 terawatt hours. It could double again by 2040. The market is currently dominated by technologically leading companies from Asia, particularly China. Significant overcapacities there are leading to falling prices globally, which is putting additional pressure on European manufacturers with higher production costs and uncertainties in the ramp-up of electromobility.
European strengths Despite these challenges, Europe has the potential to play a significant role in battery production. Competitive advantages lie in innovative approaches, high-quality production technologies and a focus on the ecological footprint of batteries. In order to catch up with the Asian market leaders, Western manufacturers must establish cost-efficient mass production, conduct intensive research and enter into close co-operation, including with Asian partners.
Market volatility and future scenarios Volatility in the battery cell market increased significantly in 2024. The main reasons for this are the lower-than-expected sales figures for electric vehicles and regulatory uncertainties in the USA and the European Union. Experts have therefore developed three scenarios for future demand.
Positive scenario: Rapid progress in electrification leads to demand of 4.6 TWh by 2030 and 8.8 TWh by 2040.
Base scenario: Despite temporary declines in electric car sales, emissions targets are achieved, leading to demand of 4.3 TWh in 2030 and 8.6 TWh in 2040.
Negative scenario: Significant delays, for example due to a postponement of the ban on combustion engines in the EU, result in demand of 4.0 TWh in 2030 and 8.1 TWh in 2040.
These forecasts emphasise the uncertainties and the need for flexible planning for European manufacturers.
Strategies for European manufacturers In order to be able to compete globally, European companies should pursue the following approaches.
Focus on sustainability: Reduce CO₂ emissions in battery cell production to 30 to 40 kilograms per kilowatt hour by optimising raw material procurement and innovative production processes such as dry coating or laser drying.
Early integration of innovations: Focusing production plans on new, cost-efficient battery types for small and mid-range electric vehicles in order to enter mass production more quickly and benefit from increasing volumes.
Strengthen cooperation: Close cooperation with other European manufacturers and partnerships with leading Asian companies that are ahead in research, development and industrialisation in order to benefit from their expertise.
By implementing these strategies, European battery manufacturers can increase their competitiveness and play a significant role in the growing global battery market.
Europe’s economic strength depends to a large extent on technological innovation. However, access to capital remains a challenge for many start-ups in the growth phase. The new study “Mapping investors for European innovators”, published by the EPO’s Patent and Technology Observatory, shows that private and public investors play a crucial role in promoting new technologies. Compared to the USA, however, there is a lack of capital in Europe for later financing phases, which hinders the growth of innovative companies.
Technology Investor Score as a guide To make it easier for technology-oriented companies to find investors, the EPO is introducing the Technology Investor Score. This new indicator shows the proportion of companies with patent applications in an investor’s portfolio. The TIS helps start-ups to identify suitable partners and promotes targeted investment in technological innovations.
The study analysed over 6100 investors in Europe and 8000 investors in the USA and shows that 88% of European investors have companies with patents in their portfolio. However, only 8% of these investors focus primarily on start-ups with patents. A clear sign of restrained capital flows into innovative growth companies.
Europe needs to invest in scaling A key problem in the European innovation ecosystem is insufficient funding in the late stages of development. While public investors such as the European Innovation Council, the European Investment Bank or national innovation agencies strongly support early-stage financing, there is a lack of private investors for scalable start-ups in Europe.
The analysis shows that 62% of the 100 largest European private investors focus on early-stage financing, while only 22% invest in later stages. In comparison, 98 of the top 100 investors in the US are private investors, of which more than half invest specifically in scaling start-ups. This funding gap in Europe means that promising technology companies are moving abroad to find better conditions for growth.
Targeted solutions for more access to capital To overcome these challenges, the EPO has added a new filter function to its Deep Tech Finder. The free online tool enables start-ups to conduct a targeted search for investors based on criteria such as financing phase, location and technology focus. This enables technology-driven companies to efficiently find investors who specialise in their specific needs.
In addition, the Observatory for Patents and Technology offers a new information platform that provides detailed insights into financing strategies, investor profiles and the use of patents to raise capital. The aim is to support start-ups and SMEs so that they can realise their full innovation potential.
Strengthening Europe’s innovative power The results of the study underline the need to optimise financing structures in Europe. Public funding alone is not enough to ensure the transition from idea to market maturity. More private capital is needed for later growth phases in order to keep innovative companies in Europe and remain competitive in the long term.
At the turn of the year, SMG Real Estate integrated numerous new digital tools into the digital Business Manager for its customers, which provide specific support for letting and marketing. These include, for example, the digital showcase page, which professionally presents the portfolio and special services of property companies to interested parties. A personal introduction of the team with contact information and contact person portraits promotes a pleasant first impression and builds trust.
Another new feature is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the automated creation of listings on SMG Real Estate’s property platforms. The entire process is made considerably easier. Once the address and a few specific details of a property have been entered, the advert is filled in automatically – supported by reliable data from IAZI. The property description can also be created automatically. The new AI solution is integrated into the Business Manager user interface and analyses property data and neighbourhood information to create professional descriptions that highlight the best features of each property.
SMG Real Estate has also further optimised its marketing packages: 50% more ads in the search results list not only ensure more visibility, but also improve performance and thus the company’s own marketing success. A key factor in optimising the likelihood of closing deals quickly is, on the one hand, information relevant to decision-making and, on the other, the accuracy of the approach to potential interested parties. SMG Real Estate now provides the “Potential Map for Properties” tool for this purpose. Based on property valuations, estate agents can identify regions with potential sales potential and can therefore focus their marketing activities on particularly promising districts and regions.
SMG Real Estate has also simplified day-to-day collaboration within the team. Customers can access the entire real estate ecosystem with just one login. This makes it even easier for them to benefit from daily updates in the Business Manager and gives them quick and convenient access to numerous third-party partner services.
The product portfolio of third-party partners has also been expanded once again. The IAZI capitalised earnings value model not only makes it possible to quickly calculate property yields on the basis of current market data. The tool now also incorporates “natural hazards” on the basis of IAZI data and provides important decision-making aids for most cantons with regard to various natural hazards (including risks such as avalanches, landslides, rockfall, floods, storms, earthquakes, hail and surface runoff) and their hazard categories.
Another example of additional services: If you place the HEDOlight widget on your own company website, it lays the automated foundation for new contacts and mandates. This is because potential home sellers can use the HEDOlight widget to obtain a free estimate of the value of their property based on IAZI’s hedonic method.
And thirdly, SMG Real Estate’s exclusive partnership with the Residenture auction platform opens up new opportunities for estate agents to significantly increase the number of potential buyers for their properties. The leading Swiss platform for AI-supported property auctions provides estate agents with a legally compliant and transparent digital auction process. Bidding processes for properties advertised via SMG Real Estate can be started seamlessly with verified interested parties in a fast, traceable process.
Letting and selling properties is becoming increasingly efficient with the use of digital tools. This not only creates additional convenience and higher performance for business customers, but also frees up time for important customer contact.
If you want to get an overview of all the new digital products, take a look here.
Swiss Prime Site is reporting a consolidated operating profit at EBITDA level of CHF 415.1 million for the 2024 financial year. This corresponds to year-on-year growth of 6.5 per cent, the Zug-based real estate company reported in a press release. At the same time, cash earnings per share rose by 4.2 per cent to CHF 4.22.
Rental growth and the property portfolio as well as higher income in asset management contributed to the positive developments. Rental income increased by 5.7 per cent year-on-year to CHF 463.5 million. In Asset Management, the operating result at EBITDA level increased by 47 per cent to CHF 42.0 million. The acquisition of the Fundamenta Group’s property asset manager in April was the main contributor to this. Consolidated operating expenses fell year-on-year from CHF 269.4 million to CHF 257.0 million.
The value of Swiss Prime Site’s property portfolio amounted to CHF 13.1 billion at the end of 2024. The company recorded positive revaluations of CHF 113.7 million. In the reporting period, 23 properties with a total market value of CHF 345 million were sold.
“In the past financial year, the focus was on implementing our strategy of consistently focussing on our core competence of real estate,” said Swiss Prime Site CEO René Zahnd in the press release. “With the acquisition of the Fundamenta Group, we have become by far the largest independent property asset manager in Switzerland and cover focused strategies in both the commercial and residential segments with our investment vehicles.”
Neustark and Fehr are joining forces for the permanent storage of CO2 in recycled concrete. The two partners have opened the first commercial CO2 storage facility in Alsace, Neustark writes in a press release. Bern-based ClimateTech has developed a technology with which CO2 captured from biogas plants can be stored in demolition concrete. At Fehr in Bischwiller, the aim is to bind 1200 tonnes of CO2 every year.
The family-run company Fehr operates ten concrete plants and four production facilities for precast concrete elements. “Fehr is one of the pioneers of sustainable building materials in France,” said Valentin Gutknecht, co-founder and co-CEO of Neustark, in the press release. “Through our strategic partnership, we can implement our innovative and ready-to-use technology and thus offer a local alternative to storing CO2 underground or in the sea.”
Fehr receives the CO2 from a nearby plant for the production of biomethane. At the production facility in Bischwiller, it is added to the demolition concrete, where it mineralises within hours thanks to Neustark’s technology. Another part of the CO2 is fed into the mixed water produced during concrete production, where it reacts with the mineral substances in the mixed water and forms stable salts (carbonates) thanks to Neustark’s technology. In addition to the permanent storage of CO2, this also reduces the costs for the disposal of the mixed water, writes Neustark.
The company will recover raw materials from batteries using a combination of automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, safety technologies and chemical and material technology processes. Research results and experience from the activities of the SIPBB will be utilised, supported by the canton of Solothurn, which has been a co-shareholder of the innovation park since 2015.
The Swiss Battery Technology Center Solothurn GmbH will in future operate as an innovation player with companies already active in the circular economy at the Biberist site, such as Librec AG, Grensol and Libattion.
“With Swiss Battery Technology Center Solothurn GmbH, we have been able to gain another important partner for the Biberist site in order to become a centre of excellence for electromobility in Europe,” said Monika Beck, Head of the Solothurn cantonal location promotion agency, in the press release.
The precision industry is an important economic sector for the canton of St. Gallen, particularly in the Rhine Valley. Companies in this sector rely on a state-of-the-art research environment that meets the highest quality standards. Cleanrooms are essential in order to minimise microscopic particles in the air and thus produce high-precision components without errors.
The existing cleanroom in Buchs at the OST is already being used intensively – particularly by RhySearch, which conducts research there using its own equipment. The partners now want to modernise and expand the infrastructure and make it more widely accessible in order to further strengthen the region’s innovative power.
22 million francs for the “Sensor Innovation Hub“ Research in the fields of sensor technology, semiconductor technology and high-precision manufacturing is to be further developed under the name “Sensor Innovation Hub”. The St. Gallen government is planning to support the project with CHF 22 million.
The Cantonal Council’s preliminary advisory committee has examined the proposal and recommends that it be approved. A tour of the existing plant in Buchs has emphasised the relevance of the project.
Next steps and political decision The Cantonal Council will discuss the proposal at first reading in the 2025 spring session and at second reading in the 2025 summer session. If the Council supports the project, the referendum could follow in autumn 2025.
With the expansion of the cleanroom in Buchs, the region would take an important step towards technological leadership in high-precision manufacturing and secure its international competitiveness in the long term.
Work such as drilling, sanding, spraying insulation or lifting heavy materials harbours high risks. According to recent figures, in 2024 there were 30 fatalities on construction sites in Europe alone within four months.
With the support of the EU-funded CONCERT project, IIT has developed an innovative, modular robot platform. “Our aim was to create a flexible and adaptable solution that optimises construction processes, reduces the workload on people and improves safety,” explains Nikolaos Tsagarakis, project coordinator at IIT.
Robot as a support – not a replacement Although the CONCERT robot can work autonomously, it was primarily designed as an assistance system for construction workers. While the machine takes over repetitive or dangerous tasks, skilled workers can concentrate on more complex activities. This not only increases work safety, but also efficiency on construction sites.
“Instead of using a separate robot for each task, we have developed a fully reconfigurable solution that can be customised directly on the construction site,” continues Tsagarakis.
Seamless integration into the digital construction site The robot was successfully tested under real construction site conditions. It not only demonstrated its performance, but also its flexibility by being able to adapt to the spontaneous requirements of the construction team.
One major advantage is the link to digital building information models (BIM). This allows the robot to be controlled directly via a tablet without workers having to operate heavy power tools.
A breakthrough for construction robotics CONCERT has ushered in a new era in digital construction site automation with the first reconfigurable multi-purpose construction robot platform.
The solution not only has the potential for broad industrial application, but also exceeds the usual technology maturity level in research projects. “The flexibility of the platform makes it usable for many other construction tasks,” says Tsagarakis. Future developments will expand the areas of application even further.
The global demand for high-performance batteries is growing steadily. Sodium-ion batteries offer several advantages over lithium-ion technologies. They are cheaper, safer and based on more easily accessible raw materials. This technology could play a key role, especially for stationary energy storage and cost-sensitive applications.
However, there are still challenges. Sodium is chemically different from lithium, which leads to a lower energy density and service life. In addition, scalable production processes need to be developed to make the battery competitive.
Industry transfer through the SIB:DE FORSCHUNG project The SIB:DE FORSCHUNG (Sodium-Ion-Battery Deutschland-Forschung) project was launched to overcome these hurdles. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is working together with 20 partners from science and industry to further develop this battery technology with the aim of making it suitable for mass production.
At the centre of the research are
Optimisation of the active materials for higher performance
Development of long-lasting electrodes for stable battery performance
Industrial scaling of production to larger quantities
Material and electrode research at KIT A central concern of the research is the production of active materials in scalable quantities. Professor Helmut Ehrenberg from the Institute for Applied Materials at KIT explains: “At KIT, we are working on manufacturing processes for particularly high-performance active materials and demonstrating their production on a kilogramme scale. This is a decisive step for the industrial roll-out of sodium-ion technology.”
The Helmholtz Institute Ulm is also developing electrodes that enable higher cycle stability. The results will be analysed and validated in the BELLA research laboratory, which is operated jointly by KIT and BASF.
On the way to mass production The project is an important milestone in making sodium-ion batteries usable on an industrial scale. The combination of materials research, electrode development and scaling strategies should make it possible to transfer the technology to production in the coming years.
With a successful breakthrough, sodium-ion batteries could become a cost-effective alternative to lithium technologies, with great potential for the energy storage of the future.
The alliance brings together leading companies such as Roche, Nestlé, Schindler and Endress Hauser, which are funding the project with CHF 2.1 million over three years. The centrepiece is the Circle of Scholars, a network of six doctoral students who are researching topics such as artificial intelligence in production, sustainable manufacturing and global production networks together with industry partners.
“With the Manufacturing Alliance, we are creating a platform that actively involves industry partners in research,” emphasises Prof. Dr Thomas Friedli (HSG). Prof. Dr Torbjörn Netland (ETH Zurich) adds: “Our doctoral students work on real problems from day one – this helps industry and promotes young talent.”
Swiss manufacturing sector in focus HSG studies show that Swiss companies are increasingly relocating their production capacities back to Switzerland in order to benefit from innovation, stability and high quality. The Manufacturing Alliance aims to support this trend.
Invitation to collaborate The Alliance invites companies of all sizes to participate. The partners benefit from practical solutions, scientific expertise and an exclusive industry network. Nestlé and Johnson & Johnson are already among the sponsors.
“Switzerland plays a key role in pharmaceutical production,” says Leila Schwery (J&J). “This collaboration will not only strengthen the industry, but also bring significant benefits to society.”
IWB and the Department of Construction and Transport of the Canton of Basel-Stadt are starting the construction of a new district heating pipeline in the Bachletten neighbourhood. Construction work is due to begin on 3 February, the two partners announced in a joint press release. The work is divided into five stages, running from Paulusgasse via Arnold-Böcklin-Strasse and Therwilerstrasse to Rütimeyerplatz.
As part of the installation of the new heating pipeline, the canton also wants to renew the electricity and water pipes in the affected streets. There are also plans to “partially green and unseal the road surface”, according to the press release. To this end, trees are to be planted in small hollows and car parks are to be laid out with grass paving stones so that water can seep into the ground. However, the redesign of the surface is currently still dependent on the outcome of pending objections.
IWB will also be laying district heating pipes and renewing the service lines in other streets in the Bachletten neighbourhood by 2031. Work is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year in the Kluserstrasse, Marschalkenstrasse and Bernerring perimeters.
Voltiris has received 4.8 million Swiss francs in a seed capital round for the power supply and electrification of high-tech greenhouses. The round was led by Zurich-based venture capital firm Equity Pitcher and 3M Ventures, the venture capital arm of 3M Company, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. The ClimateTech venture capital fund Satgana from Luxembourg and several family offices have also invested.
According to a statement from Voltiris, the fresh funds will “accelerate the large-scale commercialisation and further performance optimisation of the company’s proprietary spectral filter technology and increase returns for farmers at a time when energy independence and decarbonisation are more valuable than ever”.
According to Voltiris co-founder and CEO Nicolas Weber, the company is currently expanding its presence “in key European markets such as France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. We are also looking forward to further expanding our technological lead and making solar-powered greenhouses a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture.” The company will also be expanding its team in Switzerland and the Netherlands.
In the past two years, Voltiris has entered into twelve commercial projects with renowned producers in Europe, entered into partnerships with energy suppliers such as Elektra Baselland and Romande Energie and received several industry awards. For example, Voltiris and its partners won the Greenhouse of the Future pitch competition at the end of 2024 and were among the top 100 Swiss start-ups last year.
Optiml has announced that Prof Dr Alexander von Erdély has joined the team as an angel investor. The 55-year-old, who holds a doctorate in civil engineering, has more than 30 years of management experience in the property sector. Three months ago, he took up his position as spokesman of the board of the German Federal Agency for Real Estate, which has around 18,000 federally owned properties in its portfolio.
Prior to this, von Erdély was CEO of CBRE Germany, the world’s largest provider of commercial property services and investments, headquartered in Dallas and based in Zug, Switzerland. As a “passionate advocate for ESG, sustainability and innovation”, he is “a role model in his commitment to driving progress in property and urban development”, according to the spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
The new board member will support Optiml in scaling its Real Estate Decision Intelligence platform. It provides property managers, investors and consultants with tools to achieve their goals in terms of profitability and sustainability. According to the information provided, it offers valuable insights into portfolios and building values as well as optimal decarbonisation and investment strategies and also detailed action plans for net zero refurbishment and compliance with ESG regulations, for example.
According to a report by startupticker.ch, ten new customers from the DACH region and the UK are currently being integrated into the platform. The Zurich-based company is also working on adapting its solution to the regulatory peculiarities and calculation framework of the USA. CCO and co-founder Nico Dehnert calls the acquisition of the first customer in the USA, a real estate investment trust, “a significant milestone on our growth path”.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich(ETH) have developed a method for detecting corrosion in the reinforcing steel of reinforced concrete structures without having to break open the concrete. The method developed by mechanical engineer Lukas Bircher and his team is based on electrochemical measurements, the ETH reported in a press release. Specifically, the researchers have invented a probe consisting of two inflatable seals with electrodes in the centre. A water pipe is built into the associated cable.
The probe is inserted into the drainage pipes, the seals are inflated and water is then fed into the sealed area. The water creates a connection between the electrodes in the probe and the soil through the holes in the drainage pipe. This creates an electrolytically conductive connection to the steel in the structure, which forms a localised electrochemical measuring point. “We use the measuring cell to record electrical signals, which vary depending on whether the reinforcing steel is corroded or not,” Bircher is quoted as saying in the press release.
At present, the probe still has to be passed manually through the drainage pipes one by one to enable a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the steel. In the next step, the team wants to “automate the measurement more and make the inspection probe more robust”, explains Bircher. As the concept has already proved its worth, he will found a start-up called Talpa Inspection together with materials engineer Federico Martinelli-Orlando and civil engineer Patrick Pfändler.
Wir verwenden Cookies zur Unterstützung und Verbesserung unserer Dienste. Mit der Nutzung dieser Website erklären Sie sich mit der Verwendung von Cookies einverstanden. Weitere Informationen finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
