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  • Six Innovation Awards for construction and tool solutions

    Six Innovation Awards for construction and tool solutions

    Hilti has received six awards for recently launched products at the Pro Tool Innovation Awards(PTIA) 2025 in the USA, according to a press release. The internationally active manufacturer and supplier in the construction and tool sector is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, and is active in over 120 countries. Hilti took part in the annual PTIA competition through its North American headquarters in Plano, Texas. In total, more than 400 product solutions from over one hundred manufacturers were submitted, according to the report. A jury of experts assessed the degree of innovation, performance and safety and ergonomic aspects, among other things. “We are delighted with the high level of innovation this year,” said Clint DeBoer, General Manager of the PTIA, in the press release.

    Hilti was honoured for products in various categories. The new DD 150-U-22 diamond core drill came out on top in the concrete and masonry core drill category. It works cordlessly and is equipped with an oscillating function that makes it easy to remove a core from the drill bit. The VC 5 construction hoover, the PR 400-22 rotating laser, the DSH 700-X petrol grinder, the new KCCM Kwik Cast Connect anchor system and a filter system for vacuum cleaners (VC-CB 20/40/150-X) also came out on top in other categories.

    At the Swiss innovation conference Open-i in November, the CEO of the Hilti Group, Jahangir Doongaji, talks about how research and development (R&D) is prioritised and embedded in his company. “At Hilti, we drive innovation in a targeted manner so that our customers can build more productively, safely and sustainably,” said Doongaji in the run-up to the conference. In Hilti’s R&D and test centres, experts are working on solutions for selected areas such as occupational safety, productivity and technology integration.

    Open-i sees itself as a Swiss innovation community and dialogue platform for business and science. It brings together academic and business experts and aims to pave the way for collaborations that will secure Switzerland’s leading role as an innovative and successful market. Open-i is organised by NZZConnect, a branch of the NZZ based in Bern. The conference will take place on 27 November and tickets are available now.

  • New concrete reduces CO2 emissions in the construction industry

    New concrete reduces CO2 emissions in the construction industry

    Omya is a new partner in NEST, the modular research and innovation building of Empa and Eawag in Dübendorf. In the Beyond.Zero unit, which has been based there since the beginning of 2024, they want to test a cement-reduced concrete that they developed in a joint research project, according to a statement from Empa.

    Omya contributed its expertise as a globally active specialist in industrial materials. “The fact that we can now jointly develop sustainable building materials and test them directly in NEST under real conditions accelerates the transfer of innovations into climate-friendly construction methods,” said Empa Director Tanja Zimmermann.

    This innovative building material replaces up to 70 per cent of its clinker content with natural minerals. As Empa explains, this significantly reduces its CO2 footprint. “For a new type of concrete to be widely accepted, it needs to be tested in practice,” Empa researcher Mateusz Wyrzyklowski from Empa’s Concrete and Asphalt department is quoted as saying. “By using it in the NEST Beyond.Zero unit, we can comprehensively validate our cement-reduced concrete: from processing to durability.”

    The aim is a building material “that not only fulfils the ecological requirements, but also impresses in terms of workability, mechanical properties, volume stability and durability,” says Empa. The Beyond.Zero unit goes beyond the net zero target in construction. It pursues the vision that buildings can serve as carbon sinks in the future – in other words, they will have a negative CO2 balance on balance. The construction sector currently accounts for around 28 per cent of CO2 emissions in Switzerland.

  • Chatbots every third answer is wrong

    Chatbots every third answer is wrong

    In the international Newsguard analysis, ten of the most frequently used chatbots, including ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude, were tested for their responses to current news topics. The average error rate is 35 per cent, which is almost double that of the previous year. Questions on politics, health and international events are particularly affected. Many systems treat dubious sources like reliable news media and pass on disinformation even if it has been deliberately placed to deceive.

    Examples of propagated fake news
    The study prominently shows how often AI is manipulated with invented scandals and political quotes. For example, six out of ten systems falsely confirmed that Moldova’s parliamentary president had insulted his people as a “herd of sheep”. Behind this was a forgery including an AI-generated audio recording and a fake news site. In another case, a chatbot spread the rumour that the Ukrainian president owned real estate worth 1.2 billion dollars, a fictitious story based on an alleged whistleblower who never existed.

    Differences between the models
    While the AI assistant Claude is considered the most reliable provider with an error rate of just 10 per cent, Gemini has an error rate of around 17 per cent. Chatbots such as Perplexity, Grok, You.com, Mistral and Meta have an error rate of between 33 and 57 per cent. Today, the systems respond immediately in almost all cases. Even if they do not use enough validated information and accept a loss of quality.

    Source situation and willingness to provide information
    The increased error rate is mainly due to the willingness of the models to provide information. Where they used to prefer to say nothing at all, they now always provide an answer. Even from uncertain or manipulative sources. Chatbots run the risk of uncritically amplifying propaganda networks or social media disinformation, especially when it comes to news from regions with few reputable websites or political campaigns.

    Consequences for information security
    The automated, convincing dissemination of misinformation by AI chatbots increases the risk dynamics in the media landscape. Fact checkers warn that disinformation is subtly seeping into everyday life and shaping social awareness. Often difficult to recognise and therefore all the more consequential! Quality assurance for AI-supported information systems is therefore becoming a key challenge for the future of digital information.

  • Pioneering civil engineering

    Pioneering civil engineering

    With a total length of 266 metres, the bridge replaces an outdated structure from 1926 that no longer met the requirements of modern rail traffic. The central component is a gleaming white network arch with a span of 130 metres, which spans the border river Oder without supports. Instead of classic flat steel cables, 88 carbon tension members made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic are used. These hangers were largely developed, tested and assessed at the Empa Institute in Dübendorf. They replace the steel segments weighing several tonnes and thus significantly reduce the overall weight of the supporting structure. An advantage for material efficiency and design freedom.

    Economic and sustainable benefits
    The innovative bridge technology made it possible to save around 600 tonnes of steel and 1,350 tonnes of reinforced concrete. A project-specific scaffolding solution was used in the construction process to ensure efficient assembly and welding of the bridge segments. Thanks to the high fatigue, tensile and corrosion resistance of the carbon fibre cables, both the maintenance effort and the service life of the bridge are positively influenced. A sustainability study shows that the use of carbon causes around 20 per cent less CO₂ emissions than a conventional steel structure.

    International appeal and future potential
    The railway bridge can be used by freight and passenger trains at speeds of up to 120 km/h and fulfils the highest safety standards. Extensive tests by Empa confirmed the fatigue strength of the material under real loads. The bridge has received several awards, including the Bridges International Award and the German Bridge Construction Prize. It is regarded as a pioneer for the use of high-performance composite materials in infrastructure construction.

    New aesthetics and symbolic significance
    The striking, elegant arch creates an architectural accent in the border region and emphasises the connection between the countries. The network arch bridge with carbon hangers symbolises both technical innovation and ecological responsibility. In future, it could serve as a standard for comparable major projects in European rail transport.

  • How the Wolf site in Basel is becoming a residential neighbourhood

    How the Wolf site in Basel is becoming a residential neighbourhood

    The relocation of freight handling to the harbour area freed up a 16-hectare site near Basel SBB station. SBB has been pursuing the vision of a mixed neighbourhood here for years, combining living, working and leisure. The urban development plan is based on a design by Christ & Gantenbein and EM2N. The central element is a large courtyard that stretches from east to west, shields against noise and links public and private uses as a green boulevard.

    Two faces “Janus“project
    The Paris-based firm Experience, together with M-AP Architects from Lausanne, won the competition for the MF02 construction site. Their “Janus” project responds to the contrasts between the railway side and the inner courtyard with two architectural languages.

    A horizontal ribbon façade with striking concrete frames stretches towards the track side, conveying a powerful image to passing trains. Towards the courtyard, a finely structured façade with staggered balconies and greenish decorated surfaces appears.
    The construction method follows a hybrid approach of concrete skeleton and timber construction. The floor plans are compactly organised, with a clear separation between bedrooms, wet rooms and spacious living areas. Only the lack of privacy in the ground-floor flats was criticised.

    Noise protection as a design element “Binaria” project
    The “Binaria” project by Basel-based ARGE Parabase and Confirm won the competition for the MF03 construction site. It counters the street noise with a robust north façade made of reused trapezoidal sheet metal and protruding acoustic elements. In contrast, a transparent, green glass façade with balconies and plant troughs opens up to the courtyard side.
    The multi-storey passageway connecting the courtyard and the street is particularly striking. The circular ventilation grille made of sound-absorbing panels makes a strong architectural statement here. Inside, linear floor plans allow for flexible living concepts from 2.5 to 5.5-room flats. Sustainability is characterised by reused beams, recycled concrete and re-used wood.

    Pilot character with high standards
    Both winning projects pursue innovative approaches to noise protection, the flexibility of the flat layouts and the use of recycled materials. The roofs are used for photovoltaics and rainwater management, the façades are partially planted or fitted with integrated solar technology. Energy is generated from renewable sources, while shading and evaporation provide thermal insulation in summer. Special attention is paid to reversible construction. Constructions are to be screwed together instead of glued in order to facilitate subsequent reutilisation or material cycles.

    Milestones and prospects
    The new buildings in the west of the site will be realised in the first stage, with construction scheduled to begin in 2028. A second stage with a city logistics hub and additional uses will follow from 2031. Even before completion, SBB will open the site for interim use. The listed 2,000 m² railway hall will be used for sports activities, for example. The Wolf site will thus become a pilot project for urban housing construction that answers questions about noise protection, sustainability and socially mixed housing on a large scale. For Basel, this is not just an urban planning experiment, but a decisive step towards more affordable living space and a higher quality of urban life.

  • Strategic milestone for Zofingen

    Strategic milestone for Zofingen

    The 27,636 square metre site near Zofingen railway station was home to the traditional Swissprinters print shop until 2024. Following its closure, Ringier Areal AG sold the western section to Turidomus, while the eastern section remains in Ringier’s ownership. In recent years, Ringier, together with the town of Zofingen and the Basel architectural firm Christ & Gantenbein, had already developed the strategic basis for the conversion. The development is now building on this.

    Diversity and sustainability in the centre
    The “Areal West” is a site of strategic importance. The location opposite the old town and directly behind the railway station offers ideal conditions for a new, urban residential district. Over 300 flats for different lifestyles and household sizes are to be built on five building plots. From compact flats to family flats.

    The project development is based on the Swiss Sustainable Building Standard. A climate-friendly neighbourhood square, green open spaces that reduce heat islands and photovoltaic systems are planned. District heating is also planned in order to keep the neighbourhood’s carbon footprint low from the outset.

    Study commission to specify
    A study commission is planned for 2026 to specify the urban integration and the specific design of the housing on offer. The aim is to create a lively neighbourhood that not only provides housing, but also creates a sense of community and identity. Depending on the process, construction could start from 2028, with first occupancy from 2030.

    Experience with transformations
    Reference projects such as the Ziegeleipark in Horw/Kriens, the Reitmen neighbourhood in Schlieren and Zwhatt in Regensdorf show that the Group understands complex transformation processes. With the “Areal West” in Zofingen, the group is continuing in this vein. The aim is to transform the industrial past into a future-proof, sustainable neighbourhood.

  • Swiss housing market continues to tighten

    Swiss housing market continues to tighten

    Die aktuelle Situation erinnert an die Jahre 2014 bis 2016, als eine längere Phase massiver Angebotsknappheit herrschte. Heute ist klar, dass kein kurzfristiger Ausgleich zu erwarten ist. Der Wohnungsbau bleibt auch in den kommenden Jahren hinter dem Wachstum der Haushalte zurück. Damit gehört die Schweiz erneut zu den europäischen Ländern, in denen sich die Wohnraumfrage zu einem zentralen Standortthema entwickelt.

    Belastung für Haushalte mit tiefer Kaufkraft
    Besonders stark trifft es Haushalte im unteren Einkommenssegment und des unteren Mittelstands. Während bestehende Mietverträge für rund 80 Prozent dieser Haushalte noch erschwinglich sind, zeigt sich auf dem aktuellen Markt ein deutlich anderes Bild. Nur gut 40 Prozent der neu angebotenen Wohnungen liegen in einem preislichen Rahmen, den diese Gruppen tragen können. In Regionen wie St. Moritz sowie in den urbanen Zentren und Agglomerationen fehlen passende Angebote nahezu vollständig.

    Wohnkosten steigen spürbar
    Ein Szenario aus dem Monitor verdeutlicht die Problematik. Würden alle Haushalte mit tiefer bis mittlerer Kaufkraft umziehen, stiege die durchschnittliche Wohnkostenbelastung von 29,1 auf 35,7 Prozent des Einkommens. Damit würde Wohnen für breite Teile der Bevölkerung klar zu einer finanziellen Überlastung. Bereits jetzt ist der Anteil der Mieterhaushalte, die ihre Wohnkosten nicht mehr im Budget halten können, von 2,6 auf 2,8 Prozent gestiegen. Noch moderat, aber mit klarer Tendenz nach oben.

    Fehlanreize auf der Angebotsseite
    Der Druck auf den Markt wird zusätzlich durch Investitionsmuster verschärft. Viele Investoren setzen auf Ersatzneubauten oder umfassende Sanierungen. Das stützt zwar die Bauwirtschaft, trägt aber kaum zur dringend nötigen Erweiterung des Bestands bei. Neue, bezahlbare Wohnungen kommen damit kaum auf den Markt. Entsprechend öffnet sich die Schere weiter zwischen günstigen Bestandes-Mieten und hohen Angebotsmieten, was die Verknappung zementiert.

    Bedeutung für Politik und Wirtschaft
    Die neue Analyse des BWO rückt die Frage der Wohnkosten im Verhältnis zum Einkommen in den Vordergrund. Für die kommenden Jahre bleibt absehbar, ohne strukturelle Ausweitung des Wohnungsangebots wird die Kluft zwischen Nachfrage und Angebot weiter wachsen. Für Wirtschaft, Gesellschaft und Immobilienbranche gehören damit innovative Wohn- und Baukonzepte ebenso zu den Schlüsselthemen wie regulatorische Anreize, um bezahlbaren Wohnraum effektiv zu sichern.

  • The Swiss champions 2025 at SwissSkills

    The Swiss champions 2025 at SwissSkills

    From 17 to 21 September, the BERNEXPO site was transformed into the centre of Swiss building technology. 62 participants from all parts of the country took on challenging competition tasks under realistic conditions. The young professionals competed against each other in the disciplines of heating installer, sanitary installer, plumber, ventilation system installer and in the three specialisations of building technology planning.

    The new Swiss champions are

    • Timo Bruggmann, heating fitter (Rorschach SG)
    • Oliver Ihringer, plumber (Winterthur ZH)
    • Tino Zimmermann, tinsmith (Oberbalm BE)
    • Armin Gaiser, ventilation system fitter (Erstfeld UR)
    • Camille Svitek, Building Services Planner Plumbing (Limpach BE)
    • Kilian Gendroz, Building Services Planner, Heating (Cuarny VD)
    • Mirco Burri, Building Services Planner Ventilation (St. Gallen SG)

    Innovation and practical orientation take centre stage
    The 35th Swiss Building Services Engineering Championships once again presented practical challenges. The young professionals had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of a large audience and under time pressure on an area of almost 1900 square metres. Technical ability, creativity and teamwork were equally in focus. Skills that are becoming increasingly important in an increasingly digitalised and sustainable construction industry.

    Building technology experience inspires the public
    In addition to the competition, SwissSkills 2025 offered a broad supporting programme in Hall 19. Interactive zones such as the “Try-a-Skill” area invited visitors to experience technology for themselves and discover professions with their own hands. The careers fair stand, special Foxtrails and experience stations encouraged dialogue between young people, trainers and industry representatives. The direct dialogue and the opportunity to master challenges together make building technology a modern field of innovation.

    Significance for promoting young talent and the industry
    The successful Swiss championships impressively illustrate how attractive and future-oriented building technology is for motivated apprentices. With their skills and professional pride, the award-winning young talents look beyond the horizon and build a bridge to a sustainable and vibrant industry. For companies, educational institutions and the public, SwissSkills is an important impetus for further establishing building technology as a key area of the Swiss construction and energy transition.

  • Circular economy strategic upturn

    Circular economy strategic upturn

    The circular economy is becoming an integral part of corporate strategies in Switzerland. The proportion of companies that have anchored it in their corporate strategy has risen from 11 to 27 per cent within four years. Large companies in particular are showing great dynamism. More than half of companies with over 250 employees have already anchored it in their corporate strategy. Medium-sized companies follow with 39 per cent, while smaller companies lag far behind with 23 per cent.

    Implementation remains fragmented
    Despite clear progress in strategic awareness, operational implementation remains subdued. Only 15 per cent of companies generate more than ten per cent of their turnover with circular products, after only a marginal increase since 2020. Companies are similarly reluctant to invest. Only seven per cent invest more than ten per cent of their funds in circular economy measures. The breadth of activities is also limited, with only a few measures on average.

    Focus on energy instead of value chains
    Companies implement measures relating to energy consumption or the switch to renewable energies particularly frequently. Activities along the supply chains or in the use of raw materials are much rarer, even though these would be key levers for resource efficiency. According to study author Tobias Stucki, this means that a lot of potential is being wasted, especially as current geopolitical risks are once again putting dependence on raw materials centre stage.

    Sector and regional comparison
    There are striking differences between the sectors. Companies from the telecommunications, electronics and medical technology sectors are particularly active. Construction, real estate and personal services remain in the early stages of transformation. The regional picture is also mixed. Central and Eastern Switzerland lead the way in terms of strategic anchoring, while Ticino remains at the bottom. It is worth noting, however, that Ticino companies perform well above average in terms of their share of turnover with circular products.

    Political and legal framework
    Politicians have significantly expanded the framework conditions for the circular economy in recent years. It has been explicitly enshrined in the Environmental Protection Act since 1 January 2025. This has shifted the focus of resource conservation beyond waste management. Cantons such as Zurich and Bern have set the course with referendums and strategies. Zurich adopted a comprehensive circular economy strategy, while Bern anchored the objective in government guidelines and a new sectoral waste plan. Other cantons such as Basel-Stadt, Geneva and Vaud are also pushing ahead with their own initiatives.

    Circular economy as an issue for the future
    The study clearly shows that the strategic relevance of the circular economy is increasing in Switzerland. Nevertheless, consistent implementation remains largely limited to initial steps. The transition to a circular economy requires massive investment, far-reaching changes in supply chains and new forms of cooperation. This is the only way to ensure that the circular economy does not remain just lip service, but becomes a central pillar for the climate, resources and competitiveness.

  • Between vision and reality

    Between vision and reality

    Neom and “The Line” in particular were designed to diversify the country’s economy and create a global icon of modern urban development. The city as a 170-kilometre-long, linear megastructure without cars, powered entirely by renewable energy and urban superlatives, promised innovation and worldwide attention. However, it was announced at the end of 2024 that “The Line” would only be realised in a 2.4-kilometre section instead of the originally planned dimensions. Progress to date has been limited to access, infrastructure, initial zones and individual demonstration facilities. Little of the planned construction volume is visible in the desert.

    Financial and structural challenges
    The Saudi oil price is currently no longer sufficient to cover budget requirements and realise megaprojects on the scale originally planned. In the first half of 2025, the Kingdom recorded a budget deficit of around 25 billion US dollars. At the same time, foreign direct investment is stagnating, which is focussing responsibility all the more on the public investment fund PIF, whose reserves and profits have shrunk significantly in recent years. Cost explosions and operational gaps in project management have also cast doubt on the overall project. Internal studies now estimate the total cost of “The Line” at up to USD 8.8 trillion, many times more than ever before assumed.

    Division and redistribution
    The construction freeze not only meant that thousands of jobs were relocated or cancelled, but also that key sub-projects were assigned to new structures. The “Trojena” area, planned as a winter resort and location for the 2029 Asian Winter Games, was placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport. The industrial project “Oxagon” is now assigned to the state oil company Aramco. The luxury island “Sindalah” has been under the control of the tourism conglomerate Red Sea Global since 2024. The remaining active sub-projects will reduce Neom’s total share in the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to just six per cent. The massive staff cuts and the consolidation of strategies emphasise the serious changes.

    Consequences for Saudi Arabia’s future strategy
    The redimensioning of the flagship project is jeopardising central pillars of Vision 2030. Neither the planned symbolic leap into a hypermodern society nor economic independence from oil are secured for the foreseeable future. Major events such as the 2029 Asian Winter Games or the 2034 FIFA World Cup are being jeopardised. With its change of course, the country’s leadership is also demonstrating a greater awareness of economic limits and realities. This is a turning point that permanently relativises the claim to global leadership roles in urban planning and innovative state development.

  • Solar power stored seasonally for the first time in Kaltenbach

    Solar power stored seasonally for the first time in Kaltenbach

    At the post office in the village of Kaltenbach, which belongs to the municipality of Wagenhausen, surplus solar power from the summer months can in future be utilised in winter. This will be made possible by a SeasON demonstration system in the new post office delivery centre in Kaltenbach, Matica AG announced in a press release. The thermochemical process developed by the company in collaboration with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts utilises caustic soda for the loss-free storage of electricity and waste heat.

    When the electricity is stored, water is removed from the caustic soda solution and transferred to a separate tank. Concentrated caustic solution and separate water can then be stored at room temperature. If the stored energy is to be utilised, the concentrated caustic solution is diluted again with the separated water. The resulting mixing heat is supplemented by condensation heat. It is generated by vaporising the water in the closed system with the help of low-temperature heat from a heat exchanger.

    “For us and the team at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the realisation of the project in Kaltenbach is another important milestone on the way to the market launch of our innovative over-seasonal energy storage system SeasON,” said Matica CEO Marc Lüthi in the press release. “The experience gained from building the system, installing it and analysing the operating phase is essential for the efficient further development of our pioneering solution.”

    The Wagenhausen-based company installed its first demonstration plant in Frauenfeld in 2024. A third system is planned for spring 2026 in a housing estate in North Rhine-Westphalia.

  • Investment strengthens business location with 60 new jobs

    Investment strengthens business location with 60 new jobs

    Emmen-based SME Technik AG has broken ground on the construction of a new company building. With the construction of the new production facilities, the CNC manufacturing specialist aims to strengthen its location in the canton of Lucerne, according to a press release. With an investment of 7 million Swiss francs, a three-storey work and production building is being constructed. It will also create 60 new jobs.

    The building, with 1,200 square metres of production space and 1,100 square metres of office space, is primarily intended to optimise the CNC production of small parts or series for the aviation and railway industries. In a first step, two new CNC machines will be installed. The move is scheduled for spring 2026.

    The building, planned and realised by Cerutti Partner Architekten AG from Rothenburg, is designed for sustainability and energy efficiency. A solar system on the roof and air-to-water heat pumps were installed to ensure resource-conserving operation.

    “With the new building, SME Technik is creating modern workplaces that are attractive for both existing and future employees,” said Jan Kottucz, investor, owner and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SME Technik AG, in the press release. “At the same time, we can manufacture CNC parts for our customers with the highest precision and to Swiss quality standards in the modern production halls with new systems.” Ramona Gut-Rogger, Mayor of Emmen, sees the new investment by SME Technik as a “strong signal for the future of our business location.”

  • From the field: Why pole position counts in the region

    From the field: Why pole position counts in the region

    “I was hesitant at first,” says Rita Jeggli, real estate agent from Central Switzerland and owner of Perfect Living AG. “But after I booked Regional Highlight, I very quickly realized what a difference it makes that our properties are now placed at the top in our region and that visibility is improved as a result. Especially if the property is in a location that is not necessarily searched for at first glance. The inquiries came in noticeably faster, which of course makes me particularly happy!”

    Photo: Rita Jeggli

    The principle is simple but effective: properties advertised with Regional Highlight appear at the top of the search results on ImmoScout24 and Homegate for the duration of the campaign. “In the past, I often had to put my customers off if an advertisement didn’t generate the desired response,” reports Jeggli. “Today, the situation is different.” The exclusivity is particularly attractive, she adds. There are only three places available per district. Anyone who secures one of these benefits from a premium positioning that can make all the difference, particularly due to the intense competitive pressure. “The fact that there are only three spaces per district makes the product particularly attractive for us,” says Jeggli. “It makesPerfect Living AG more visible”.

    The offer is flexible: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months are available to choose from. This allows real estate agents to decide whether they want to position a property prominently in the long term or achieve a particularly high level of attention in the short term. “We really appreciate this flexibility,” says Jeggli. “Sometimes a property only needs a brief boost, sometimes we want to keep a prestigious property in the spotlight for longer.”

    Regional Highlight is part of SMG Real Estate’s Listing Performance portfolio and complements the Top Listing and Premium Top Listing products. While the latter offers nationwide reach and flexibility, Regional Highlight aims to have a lasting impact on the local market. In a real estate market characterized by strong competition and the recurring challenge of winning hard-fought mandates, Regional Highlight offers a decisive advantage: the right people become aware of an offer at the right time. For real estate agents like Jeggli, this means one thing above all: satisfied customers, faster deals and sustainable growth for their own company.

    Interested? You can find more information on how to advertise your properties from pole position here.

    Hit list without regional highlight
    Hit list with regional highlight
  • New dynamics for self-consumption communities

    New dynamics for self-consumption communities

    Primeo Energie is expanding its business for energy communities. The Basel-based energy company will take over the billing services for self-consumption associations (ZEV) from Energie Wasser Bern(ewb), Regio Energie Solothurn(RES) and AGROLA from the beginning of 2026, Primeo Energie announced in a press release. The three energy suppliers will continue to provide their customers with ZEV services, but will have these carried out by Prime Energie.

    “We believe in energy communities as an important element of the energy transformation,” said Primeo Energie CEO Cédric Christmann in the press release. “I am therefore all the more pleased that ewb, RES and AGROLA have placed their trust in us and transferred their ZEV services to us.” The takeover expands Primeo Energie’s Swiss-wide network to over 20,000 ZEV measuring points. The company’s growth strategy in the area of energy communities is intended to strengthen Primeo Energie’s position “as a leading provider of ZEV services”, according to the press release.

  • New fish ladder for the River Aare launched in Thun

    New fish ladder for the River Aare launched in Thun

    Energie Thun AG officially began the construction of a new fish ladder in the Selve Thun Aarewerke with a ground-breaking ceremony on 1 September. The preliminary construction work had already started in January 2025. The new fish ladder with two entrances will enable improved fish migration. Commissioning is scheduled for March 2028. The project is being financed via the grid surcharge fund, which is fed via a surcharge on the electricity price.

    The construction was necessary because the damming of the Aare at the Aaare works by a flap weir is hindering undisturbed fish migration. There is currently only one entrance in the tailwater at the little-used power plant 94.

    Energie Thun submitted the project application back in 2013 after the need to restore fish passability was recognised as part of the recertification of the Aare power plants with the naturemade star environmental label. The Office for Water and Waste (AWA) approved the early restoration in 2014. This was followed by several years of preliminary examination and development of the construction project. The overall construction decision was made in 2022 and tenders were invited in 2024.

    The contract was awarded to IG ThunFisch, a consortium of IUB Engineering AG, Kissling Zbinden AG andthe fish ecology department of Kraftwerke Oberhasli AG. The largest part of the fish ladder is being built by Frutiger AG, which specialises in special civil engineering and hydraulic engineering.

  • 170-metre tower sets the tone in the Quartier de l’Étoile

    170-metre tower sets the tone in the Quartier de l’Étoile

    Halter AG, based in Schlieren, and Fordinvest (Schweiz) Immobilien GmbH, based in Pfäffikon SZ, are realising the Tour de l’Étoile 3 in Geneva. According to a press release, the high-rise building will be located in the new Quartier de l’Étoile in Geneva and will offer more than 300 flats, spaces for public facilities, restaurants, shops and services as well as a top floor open to the public. With a height of 170 metres and an area of over 50,000 square metres, it is set to become an architectural landmark in Geneva.

    The background to the project is the Praille-Acacias-Vernets(PAV) spatial planning project in Geneva. As part of this project, nine new urban neighbourhoods with over 12,000 flats, 6,000 workplaces, public facilities and open and green spaces are to be built over an area of more than 140 hectares in the coming years. The signing of the planning agreement with the Fondation Praille-Acacias-Vernets and the Canton of Geneva has now paved the way for the development of two high-rise buildings.

    Together with the high-rise building planned by Rolex, Tour de l’Étoile 3 will form a central element of the PAV development project and contribute to the social and functional diversity of the l’Étoile neighbourhood. Fordinvest acquired the existing Tour de l’Étoile back in 2000 and initiated the development of the new tower block. Halter is assuming responsibility for the realisation of Tour de l’Étoile 3 as the overall provider. The company is also already present in the PAV project with one completed high-rise project and plans to build another in 2026.

  • Strategic access to the German balancing energy market

    Strategic access to the German balancing energy market

    BKW is emphasising its growth ambitions in Germany by acquiring Munich-based Südvolt GmbH and its 20 employees, according to a press release. The Bern-based energy and infrastructure group is thus entering the German market for balancing energy and system services. Südvolt is a flexibility provider with access to all four German transmission system operators and thus to the balancing energy market.

    The company flexibly interconnects energy generation plants and industrial consumers in its virtual power plant in order to keep the grid stable. Its customer portfolio includes major and industrial customers from energy-intensive sectors as well as municipal utilities.

    As BKW emphasises in the press release, this acquisition is part of its Solutions 2030 strategy, which aims to expand its sustainable energy solutions by investing in energy storage and energy production.

    With this acquisition, “we are securing strategic access to one of the most important energy and flexibility markets in Europe”, said Stefan Sewckow, member of the Group Executive Board and CCO Energy Markets at BKW. “We are strengthening our position in the marketing of flexibility and expanding our international portfolio.” BKW already covers the entire value chain for the energy transition in Germany, from energy production and power line construction to building planning and project management, and is reportedly planning further growth in these areas.

  • Tradition meets innovation in façade renovation in Davos

    Tradition meets innovation in façade renovation in Davos

    The Hotel Schatzalp in Davos, which opened in 1900 as a luxury sanatorium, has been given a new façade with the support of architecture researchers from ETH Zurich. The building was constructed using digital aids. According to a statement from ETH, the contract for implementation was awarded to local timber construction company Künzli Davos AG and Instructive Construction AG(Incon.ai), which specialises in augmented reality technology. Incon.ai is a spin-off of the ETH and is based at Technopark Zurich.

    The designs for the reinterpretation were developed by a team led by Silke Langenberg, Professor of Construction Heritage and Monument Preservation at ETH Zurich, and architecture professors Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler at the ETH Department of Architecture. The task for the architectural researchers was to preserve the appearance and integrate digital technologies into traditional craftsmanship and operational processes. “Based on the design logic of the old building, we reinterpreted the balustrades,” Fabio Gramazio is quoted as saying.

    Matthias Kohler sees this as a “fundamental change in the way we build”. The digital model replaces the double metre in traditional construction methods. The digital model created using augmented reality simplifies planning for tradespeople and allows people to use their dexterity and intuition. As Kohler emphasises, people retain control over the process.

    The wooden balustrades on the building had become outdated and no longer met today’s safety standards, he explains. In addition, the typical appearance of the Schatzalp with the loggias attached to the south façade had been impaired by numerous changes.

  • Photovoltaic system on company roofs in Aarau

    Photovoltaic system on company roofs in Aarau

    Over the next six weeks, HKG Engineering AG will be installing a photovoltaic system on the roofs of its own company buildings at the Aarau site. According to a press release, 184 high-efficiency modules are planned there, which will generate 93,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

    The energy generated will be sufficient to cover the company’s own requirements in the offices and for charging electric vehicles. The system will also reduce the load on the neighboring Aarhof property, which is currently under construction.

    With this investment, HKG is sending out a clear signal for sustainable action. The aim is to reduce CO2 emissions in the building sector and reduce dependence on external energy.

  • Swiss freight metro is on ice

    Swiss freight metro is on ice

    The Cargo sous terrain(CST) underground freight transportation system has failed in its previously planned form. The private company Cargo sous terrain AG writes in a press release that its implementation is not economically viable at the present time. Private financing of the construction phase would require a different legal framework. The key is to embed the metro in an overall logistics system and to establish stable partnerships with the federal government, cantons and cities.

    According to CST, the technical and structural feasibility of the project has been proven. The plans for the underground logistics system with fine distribution in cities were confirmed as part of an independent review in spring 2025. It is now up to the authorities to proceed on this basis.

    CST remains in dialogue, but is shifting its focus: the company now wants to advise national and international organizations on urban logistics issues. In this context, CST must reduce costs and also cut ten jobs. According to the press release, CEO Christoph Späth deeply regrets this step. However, by restructuring, CST is setting the course for a sustainable future.

    “We do not currently have the resources to continue the organization with its current focus and are therefore adapting to the realities of the situation,” said Chairman of the Board of Directors Marco Rosso. It will take time until CST is firmly anchored in transport policy and can mobilize long-term investments.

    The plans for the freight metro had envisaged an underground network from Geneva to St. Gallen and from Basel to Lucerne with a branch from Bern to Thun. The first section of the freight metro from Härkingen to Zurich was originally scheduled to go into operation in 2031.

  • Olten-Trimbach heating network starts after approval from the cantonal hospital

    Olten-Trimbach heating network starts after approval from the cantonal hospital

    Aare Energie AG(a.en) and IWB are tackling the realisation of a heating network in the Hagmatt border area between the Solothurn municipalities of Olten and Trimbach. The partner companies had made the realisation of the plans for extracting thermal energy from the groundwater dependent on the involvement of Olten Cantonal Hospital. This key customer has now agreed to participate, a.en and IWB announced in a joint press release.

    A.en and IWB intend to start construction work on the heating network as early as next year. Its network length is expected to be 6 kilometres. A new heating centre in the Dellen drinking water pumping station is named in the press release as the heart of the system. Two heat pumps, each with an output of around 2.5 megawatts, will extract heat from the groundwater here.

    According to the press release, the provision of heat from groundwater can also be guaranteed at low water temperatures in winter. The annual heat output of the plant is estimated at 20 gigawatt hours. Interested parties who have already requested an indicative offer should now receive concrete offers and be able to conclude contracts. The partners expect the first heat deliveries from 2027.

  • New boss for the Bern Congress and Event Centre

    New boss for the Bern Congress and Event Centre

    Kursaal Bern AG is getting a new CEO: Jonas Scharf will take over the management of the multifunctional congress and event centre with casino, catering and hotel on 1 April 2026, Kursaal Bern AG announced in a press release. Scharf will take over from Kevin Kunz, who is retiring after ten years as CEO.

    According to the press release, the designated new CEO has “almost three decades of management experience in the exhibition, congress and hospitality sector”. Among the stages of Scharf’s career, his role as COO of MCH Exibitions & Event GmbH is highlighted. He has also developed the Congress Center Basel “into an internationally recognised congress venue”. The press release also attests to Scharf’s “entrepreneurial thinking” and “empathy and sensitivity in dealing with stakeholders, politics and business”.

  • Growth continues with office opening in Cologne

    Growth continues with office opening in Cologne

    VELLOWS is further expanding its network. Founded in 2023, the consulting firm for projects and organisational development in the construction and real estate industry has been operating a new location in Cologne since 1 September 2025, according to a press release. According to the statement, VELLOWS is continuing its growth trajectory with the opening of the new office. The company is based in Hergiswil and also operates from an address in Zurich, Basel and Berlin.

    “Cologne is a central location for us, both in terms of our customer structure and our service portfolio,” explains the new location manager Stephan Hintzen. The industrial engineer specialising in civil engineering has more than ten years of experience in project management, client representation and property consultancy.

    VELLOWS founder Prof Jürgen M. Volm speaks of an experienced and well-connected colleague: “As a partner and managing director, he will play a central role in further expanding our market presence in Germany.”

  • Zurich’s “city in the lake”

    Zurich’s “city in the lake”

    bosshard presented his “City in the Lake” to the public in 1961. A gigantic terrace of 700,000 square meters, enthroned 14 meters above the water level, was to serve as a pedestrian city, including traffic arteries and over 70,000 parking spaces.

    The three zones were clearly designed.

    • In the north, a cultural center with theaters, museums, cinemas and an administration building.
    • In the middle, the office and business district for up to 50,000 workplaces, flanked by a shopping and gastronomy center.
    • To the south, a hotel zone with a view of the lake and the foothills of the Alps.

    A green strip up to 100 meters wide around the new city was to transform the lake basin into a park and river landscape.

    Infrastructure from a single source
    Bosshard’s plan envisaged a rigid separation of pedestrians and traffic. Cars, streetcars and a possible underground train were to run beneath the artificial plateau. Escalators would have guided commuters from the substructure into the high-rise city. Bosshard pointed to the public purse, the inexpensive use of cantonal waters and the use of prefabricated construction elements to finance the project.

    Criticism and opposition
    The reactions were fierce. In the NZZ, an architect voiced his “energetic objection” and spoke of a “frostily monumental” foreign city that would take away Zurich’s lake and thus its essence. The press felt compelled to emphasize that the publication of the project was not an endorsement, but was intended to provide information.

    Bosshard’s vision was criticized as a show of strength, even as “utopian folly”. Ecological aspects or the legal basis for such an embankment were largely ignored in the project dossier.

    A time of bold urban ideas
    Bosshard’s plan fits in with the 1960s and 1970s, when Zurich experimented with several radical projects. in 1971, for example, Guhl, Lechner and Philipp designed the “Wohncity” above the tracks between the main railway station and Altstetten, another plan that failed due to its cost and complexity.

    In retrospect, ETH urban researcher Christian Schmid speaks of an “act of desperation”. The narrowness of Zurich’s city center left little room for expansion. The idea of moving out to sea or over railroad land was spectacular, but neither practical nor financially viable.

    Housing construction remains an ongoing problem
    Today, the debate about covering railroad tracks is being revisited. This time, the main focus is on the lack of affordable housing. Schmid remains skeptical that such projects would also incur enormous costs and ultimately result in luxury apartments. Urban expansions such as those proposed years ago by the Krokodil architects’ group for Dübendorf are more realistic. Large areas, well developed and with potential for affordable housing developments.

    The “City im See” may have failed as an urban planning utopia, but it remains a symbol of an era in which Zurich designed high-flying ideas to solve its structural problems. Then as now, the city searched for space that did not exist and found answers in the boldest visions.

  • Success for Suissetec in the EKS case

    Success for Suissetec in the EKS case

    For years, Suissetec has been committed to a “level playing field” between traditional consulting, planning and installation companies and energy service providers, which are increasingly active in the building technology market. In this specific case, EKS used customer data from the basic supply, i.e. from the monopoly sector, to advertise solar systems, an offer in the free market. This unlawful competitive advantage violates the Electricity Supply Act.

    Following a criminal complaint filed by Suissetec in 2017, two former EKS employees were finally convicted on March 31, 2025. Comparable proceedings against Repower and Groupe e also ended in guilty verdicts.

    Consistent separation of market areas
    The ruling makes it clear that the monopoly area of basic energy supply must remain strictly separated from the commercial activities of energy service providers, for example in building technology or solar installations. Companies are obliged to take organizational and technical precautions to ensure that there is no mixing.

    Although only employees and not the company itself were prosecuted in this specific case, the court emphasized that companies can also be liable to prosecution if they breach their duty of care.

    Signal effect for the industry
    For Suissetec, the third ruling in this case is a milestone. Director Christoph Schaer emphasizes: “The EKS case is now closed for us. At the same time, we expect this ruling to form the basis for competitive but fair competition between all market participants.”

    In this way, the association not only wants to prevent abuses, but also raise awareness among energy service providers, as important members of Suissetec, of the importance of clean dividing lines. The aim is constructive cooperation in the market that enables fair competition with clear rules.

  • Review: Swissbau Community Event at uptownBasel

    Review: Swissbau Community Event at uptownBasel

    “Enkelfähig” is the order of the day. Hans-Jörg Fankhauser, host of the Swissbau Community Event at uptownBasel, emphasized: “It’s not about what we do today, but what we can achieve tomorrow.” The term “enkelfähig” stands for his responsible site development, in which digital technologies and sustainable strategies are used to enable long-term change and create an environment worth living in for future generations. When it comes to collaboration, he relies on “new work” with strong partners.

    Quantum technology & AI: a new chapter in innovation
    AI has already changed reality. Hans-Jörg Fankhauser (uptownBasel) emphasized the disruptive opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The technologies open up almost limitless possibilities for innovations in architecture, energy planning and building technology.

    Re-use of building materials: trust as a success factor
    Kevin Rahner (Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure AG) shed light on the challenges of reusing building materials. The central question: “On-site” or recycling? Without clear standardization, reuse will not prevail. Genuine innovation requires trust and structured processes.

    Intelligent energy supply for sustainable buildings
    Sascha Wyss (Primeo Netz AG) explained that a stable transmission grid only works if production and consumption are in balance. Modern buildings require intelligent networking, redundancy and flexibility in order to ensure a sustainable energy supply.

    Experience practice & networking
    After the presentations, participants were able to experience the uptownBasel building Pioneer and the uptownBasel substation live. A subsequent networking aperitif provided the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas with experts from the sector.

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    Further information
    swissbau.ch

  • ZHAW pools expertise in new competence group

    ZHAW pools expertise in new competence group

    A new unit is being created at the ZHAW Institute of Facility Management to actively shape the digital transformation of the real estate and construction industry. The Smart Building Management competence group is dedicated to the question of how buildings and sites can be intelligently planned, used and managed. The aim is to develop digital technologies, data-based services and integral strategies along the entire real estate life cycle in a user-oriented manner. A particular focus is on smart buildings, smart workplaces and resilient infrastructures that are geared towards the needs of society, the economy and the environment.

    International experience and in-depth industry knowledge
    The new head Andrea González has over 15 years of international experience in urban planning, real estate development, architecture, sustainability and digitalization. She has overseen large and complex projects in Europe and Asia, from site analysis, planning and construction through to operation, refurbishment and conversion. Her expertise in the application of innovative smart building strategies, the use of digital tools such as BIM and artificial intelligence as well as sustainable construction methods is particularly noteworthy.

    Her management experience ranges from leading interdisciplinary project teams to overall responsibility as Head of Real Estate and Architecture at a Swiss company. As a specialist, she combines economic thinking with a spirit of technological innovation and sustainable solutions.

    Building bridges between science and practice
    In addition to her work in real estate and construction practice, Andrea González has been active in research and teaching for many years. She has taught and conducted research at ETH Zurich, the University of Liechtenstein, the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the Tokyo Institute of Technology, among others. Her scientific work focuses on the integration of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins and predictive analytics in planning and development processes.

    In publications and conference contributions, she has intensively examined the transformation of urban spaces and the future of smart buildings and smart cities. She is also involved in teaching at all levels, from Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses to continuing education programs, and contributes to the development of new academic formats.

    Forward-looking perspectives for Smart Building Management
    With the appointment of Andrea González, the ZHAW is sending a strong signal for the further development of the real estate and construction industry in the direction of digitalization, sustainability and resilience. In future, the new Smart Building Management competence group will provide impetus for practical research and innovative solutions that support both companies and institutions in the transformation of their infrastructures.

  • Sunrise CIO Anna Maria Blengino honored

    Sunrise CIO Anna Maria Blengino honored

    With this award, Confare and EY Switzerland are recognizing the role of IT managers as key drivers of innovation and corporate development. Blengino has resolutely driven forward the modernization of the process, system and data landscape at Sunrise in Opfikon ZH, thereby demonstrating the strategic importance of modern IT infrastructures.

    “Anna Maria Blengino shows how IT creates strategic added value – not as a support function, but as a driver of innovation and transformation,” explained jury chairman Jan Leitermann, Head of Technology Consulting Switzerland at EY. Its clear roadmap, consistent customer focus and positioning of IT as a growth driver were particularly highlighted.

    Other award winners as top CIO of the year
    In addition to Blengino, three other IT managers were also honored:

    • Raymond Schnidrig, Partner and CTO at Partners Group
    • Benedikt Schmid, CIO and Data Officer at MS Reinsurance
    • Matthias Bryner, CIO of the Zurich Children’s Hospital

    These award winners exemplify the diversity of digitalization strategies that Swiss companies are driving forward – from global financial players to central healthcare institutions.

    Jury from science and business
    The Confare Swiss CIOAWARD jury is made up of renowned experts from the worlds of business and science. Chaired by Jan Leitermann, the 2025 panel included Stella Gatziu Grivas (FHNW), Christian Russ (ZHAW), Reinhard Riedl (all-acad.com), Alec Joannou (Global CIO ABB) and Daniel Fiechter (CIO Stobag, 2024 award winner).

    Visibility for digital leaders
    The award ceremony in Zurich underlined the extent to which digital technologies are at the center of public interest through artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-driven business. Leitermann emphasized: “We make the people behind these innovations visible.”

    The Swiss CIOAWARD thus focuses on the creative power of IT managers – as a key factor for competitiveness and transformation in an increasingly digital economy.

  • Electricity prices to fall slightly in 2026

    Electricity prices to fall slightly in 2026

    According to calculations by the Swiss Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom), tariffs will fall to a median value of 27.7 cents/kWh in the coming year. For a typical household with an annual consumption of 4,500 kWh, this means an electricity bill of around CHF 1,247, around CHF 58 less than in 2025.

    The price structure will change in detail
    Energy tariff falls from 13.7 to 12.11 Rp./kWh (-11.6%).
    Grid tariff falls from 12.18 to 10.75 cents/kWh, but no longer includes metering costs.
    Metering tariff now shown separately at CHF 74.40/year (corresponds to 1.65 Rp./kWh).
    Grid surcharge remains stable at 2.3 Rp./kWh.
    Electricity reserve increases from 0.23 to 0.41 Rp./kWh.
    Solidarized costs now at 0.05 Rp./kWh.
    Charges to local authorities unchanged at 1 Rp./kWh.

    The bottom line is a slight reduction for households, while small and medium-sized enterprises benefit more from lower grid and metering costs.

    Reasons for the development
    The price reduction is primarily the result of falling energy costs. Numerous high-priced procurement contracts from the crisis years 2022/23 are expiring, allowing more favorable market conditions to take effect. At the same time, the grid operator Swissgrid is reporting lower tariffs (1.42 Rp./kWh instead of 1.71).

    On average, grid costs including the metering tariff will increase slightly, despite lower standard rates for the return on capital, which will enable savings of around CHF 120 million nationwide.

    Dynamic tariffs from 2026
    In view of the growing spread of heat pumps and electromobility, the load on the electricity grids is increasing. From 2026, grid operators will be able to introduce comprehensive dynamic grid tariffs for the first time. The aim is to align consumption more closely with the grid status and thus avoid costly grid expansions.

    Dynamic tariffs are based on the actual costs and should be designed to reflect the source. They must remain comparable with previous tariffs for standard load profiles. Transparency and traceability in invoicing are required by law. To date, no grid operator has announced a dynamic model as a standard tariff; end customers are still guaranteed a choice.

    Transparency and comparability
    Since this month, all 2026 electricity prices of the approximately 590 Swiss grid operators have been available on the ElCom platform. The values are based on the operators’ median figures and can vary considerably from region to region depending on the procurement strategy and in-house production. ElCom does not approve the tariffs, but can intervene and order reductions if it suspects that prices are too high.

  • Northwestern Switzerland strengthens future topics with two new universities

    Northwestern Switzerland strengthens future topics with two new universities

    The opening of the two universities marks a strategic reorientation of the FHNW and its sponsoring cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt and Solothurn. The institution is thus responding to the growing challenges posed by digitalisation, sustainability and social change. At the same time, it is creating additional study places in future-relevant disciplines and strengthening the attractiveness of Northwestern Switzerland as a university and research region.

    By creating its own universities for computer science and for technology and the environment, the FHNW is focusing on specialised profiles. The focus is on topics such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, cybersecurity, energy, environmental technology, robotics and the sustainable use of resources.

    FHNW School of Computer Science
    The digital transformation is profoundly changing the economy and society. The FHNW School of Computer Science sees itself as a driving force behind this change. Its aim is to interlink education, research and practice more closely and to enable new forms of lifelong learning.

    At the start of the autumn semester 2025, the university will offer innovative courses, including Artificial Intelligence & High Performance Computing, where AI algorithms and high-performance computing infrastructure are combined to efficiently train complex models and develop new applications for research and industry.

    With Data Science & Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability, the university is focussing another degree programme on the sustainable use of data analysis and AI. For example, for optimising energy systems, modelling climate scenarios or developing resource-saving technologies. There are also new programmes in Security, Platforms & DevOps, which train urgently needed specialists in cybersecurity and agile software development.

    A special future project of the university is the new location in Basel, which will open in 2026. There, research, teaching and business will be closely networked and further developed with a practical focus.

    FHNW School of Engineering and Environment
    The second new university is dedicated to the pressing issues of energy, the environment and sustainability. Its profile combines technical innovation with a clear focus on ecological responsibility. Students and researchers here work on topics such as renewable energies, the circular economy and the sustainable use of resources, always linked to the question of how technology can work in harmony with the environment and society.

    “We provide training where the economy urgently needs skilled workers and research creates new perspectives,” emphasises Prof. Dr Crispino Bergamaschi, President of the FHNW Executive Board.