immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: News

  • European network opens up new opportunities for Baden in health tourism

    European network opens up new opportunities for Baden in health tourism

    The city of Baden has become a new member of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA). According to a statement, its aim is not only to raise awareness of the importance of Baden’s thermal springs, which date back to Roman times, at a European level, but also to foster exchanges with other spas.

    Membership facilitates joint projects in cultural, health and medical tourism. With its membership, Baden is positioning itself “clearly as a modern cultural and spa town with international appeal,” Mayor Markus Schneider is quoted as saying in the press release.

    TourismusRegion Baden AG is responsible for the operational implementation. “EHTTA membership is much more than just a label for Baden,” Andrea Portmann is quoted as saying. “It is a strategic tool for further developing our positioning in the international market and establishing new partnerships in the field of medical and health tourism,” says the managing director of TourismusRegion Baden.

    The EHTTA is delighted to welcome Baden as a new member. “Baden is an important spa town with a strong history and a clear vision for the future,” says Riccardo Mortandello, EHTTA President and Mayor of Montegrotto Terme.

    The more than 50EHTTA members in 20 countries now include Baden-Baden and Baden bei Wien, as well as Budapest, Karlsbad, Spa, Vichy and Viterbo.

  • Industrial company once again ranks among the most sustainable worldwide

    Industrial company once again ranks among the most sustainable worldwide

    KONE has made it onto the A list in the sustainability ratings for companies just published by CDP, known as the CDP Scores 2025. This list comprises the top 4 per cent of the more than 22,100 companies from around the world that were assessed. The ratings range from D to A and show how ambitious and effective companies are in terms of climate, water security and forests.

    According to a press release, the lift manufacturer has been disclosing its data via CDP since 2009 and has now achieved a CDP rating of A or A- for the 13th consecutive time. At the end of January, KONE was ranked 54th in this year’s Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list by Corporate Knights, placing it second among engineering companies.

    “This recognition reflects our systematic efforts to integrate sustainability into everything we do – from our products and services to our operations and partnerships,” said Kirsi Simola-Laaksonen. He is KONE’s Senior Vice President and responsible for sustainability and the environment.

    He goes on to explain that the proportion of renewable drives in KONE lifts will have increased significantly by 2025. This has improved the energy efficiency of the products and reduced both the company’s own CO2 emissions and those of its customers. As over 99 per cent of emissions come from the product and value chain, the company is “actively working with suppliers to identify opportunities to reduce emissions from the materials used in our products”.

    KONE has been headquartered in Espoo, Finland, since 1910. KONE (Switzerland) AG has been operating in Switzerland since 1996. The company employs over 60,000 people in more than 70 countries.

  • Parahotellerie drives overnight stays in Spiez to new record high

    Parahotellerie drives overnight stays in Spiez to new record high

    Tourism in Spiez reached a new record in 2025 with 198,000 overnight stays. However, according to a statement by Spiez Marketing AG (SMAG), this is solely attributable to growth in the non-hotel sector. This sector increased its overnight stays by 35 per cent to 63,000. At the same time, overnight stays in hotels fell by 2.5 per cent to 135,000.

    More than half of the overnight stays were attributable to visitors from Switzerland. China followed with a share of 9 per cent, Germany with 7 per cent and the USA with 5 per cent. Visitors from Switzerland accounted for 15 per cent of the non-hotel sector, followed by China with 11 per cent, the USA with 10 per cent and Germany with 9 per cent.

    The increase in overnight stays brings with it challenges. Last spring, the municipal council commissioned the local location promoter SMAG to set up a working group. Representatives from politics, the population, the hotel industry and para-hotels, as well as retailers and other tourism professionals, were tasked with identifying these challenges and finding solutions. The resulting 2026 action plan is now to be implemented.

    “It is not our goal to chase overnight stay records,” said Stefan Seger, managing director of Spiez Marketing AG, in the press release. The promotion of tourism should not be at the expense of residents. “We are committed to tourism that is as sustainable as possible.”

  • New platform provides early information on building applications

    New platform provides early information on building applications

    With Baugesuche Pro, Zurich-based Houzy AG has developed a “Switzerland-wide construction alert for your own neighbourhood,” as it describes the service in a press release. Owners, tenants or prospective buyers can use it to get an overview of building applications in their neighbourhood, which previously required studying official gazettes or municipal websites.

    “Transparency about the immediate environment is the basis for smart real estate decisions,” Houzy’s COO and CMO Nicolas Steiner is quoted as saying in the press release. “With Baugesuche Pro, we now offer everyone – from long-time homeowners to tenants planning to buy a flat – a tool to better understand the dynamics in their own neighbourhood without tedious research.”

    Users can register with Houzy and enter the location of their property or their desired neighbourhood. They will then receive a notification for every new building application within a relevant radius.

  • New process brings decorative high-performance wood into series production

    New process brings decorative high-performance wood into series production

    The Koster AG Holzwelten joinery, a family business based in Gossau, has developed what is known as marble wood in collaboration with Empa. Marble wood is characterised by a pattern of fine black lines caused by a fungus. This unique wood, once a rare chance find, is now produced in an annexe of the carpentry workshop using stainless steel containers, laboratories and climate and vacuum chambers. According to a press release, the product is now being marketed under the name Myrai.

    As part of a joint Innosuisse project, the carpentry workshop and Empa developed a standardised, scalable process for the targeted production of marbled wood. In a vacuum chamber, boards made from native hardwoods such as maple, beech or ash are brought to the correct moisture content, sterilised and inoculated with the fungus. They then spend several weeks in a climate chamber to allow the fungus to grow and the resulting patterns to develop. Finally, the wood is dried in a technical process and the fungus dies.

    “The special thing about this fungus is that it does not break down the highly lignified areas of the cell wall, so the wood retains a high degree of bending stiffness,” says Empa researcher and fungus expert Francis Schwarze, who works for the Cellulose & Wood Materials Laboratory in St. Gallen, quoted in the press release.

    The resulting marbled wood is particularly suitable for decorative applications such as furniture, interior design and musical instruments. As part of the project, the carpentry workshop has developed expertise in controlling and refining the appearance of the wood. Jakob Koster, former CEO of Koster AG Holzwelten, will now focus on the sale and further innovation of marbled wood. According to Koster, demand is already high. The carpentry workshop and Empa also already have new ideas for further collaboration.

  • Both Basel cantons want to support the ramp-up of hydrogen

    Both Basel cantons want to support the ramp-up of hydrogen

    The cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft have presented their first joint hydrogen strategy. It aims to build on the region’s role as Switzerland’s energy hub and support the ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. According to a statement on the strategy, the region is well positioned to do so thanks to its trimodal transport infrastructure, the Rhine ports and large tank farms.

    The region intends to rely exclusively on hydrogen produced from renewable energies. This is mainly needed where high energy densities are required. The two cantons commissioned a study by the Zurich-based planning office EBP Switzerland to determine demand. According to the study, hydrogen demand in industry, heavy goods transport and shipping could account for between 0.4 and 3.4 per cent of the energy demand of both cantons in 2025.

    The regional infrastructure for green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as methanol, is to cover all stages of the value chain, from production to use. The strategy focuses on both hydrogen clusters and energy hubs in order to create industrial ecosystems.

    Economically, the production of green hydrogen makes sense above all in close proximity to the production of renewable energies. The municipal utility company IWB and Fritz Meyer AG are currently planning Switzerland’s largest electrolyser in the port of Birsfelden. It will have a capacity of 15 megawatts and will draw its electricity from the Birsfelden run-of-river power plant.  The hydrogen could be consumed by industry in the immediate vicinity. IWB also wants to offer the planned cluster to projects in Germany and France. However, the final investment decision has not yet been made. Part of the hydrogen pipeline is already under construction along the Rhine.

  • Positive employee reviews earn Top Company award

    Positive employee reviews earn Top Company award

    The ERNE Group has been named a Top Company three times by the German employer portal kununu. According to a press release, the awards went to ERNE AG Bauunternehmung and ERNE AG Holzbau from Laufenburg, as well as HUSNER AG Holzbau from Frick. The employer seal is awarded to companies that receive consistently positive ratings from their employees. According to the press release, this confirms the ERNE Group’s appreciative and development-oriented corporate culture.

    Kununu assesses employers in German-speaking countries based on independent employee reviews. Satisfaction, trust and continuity within the company are evaluated using clearly defined criteria. Overall, around 5 per cent of the companies assessed qualify for the kununu employer seal.

    “This award is only possible thanks to our employees. Their open feedback, daily commitment and active solidarity are what make ERNE the employer it is,” says the ERNE Group’s announcement. “Whether in everyday work or at joint events, team events and the ERNE Fäscht, our culture of togetherness is a central part of our identity.”

    The award also confirms the Group’s commitment to balancing tradition and innovation and working together to overcome challenges with creative solutions.

  • How Basel-Landschaft creates spaces for innovation and living

    How Basel-Landschaft creates spaces for innovation and living

    Basel-Landschaft is building for the future. Former industrial sites are being transformed into innovative campuses, flexible business parks and urban neighbourhoods. The Dreispitz combines art, education and high-tech on the cantonal border and creates space for 4,000 jobs, research and sustainable architecture at the highest level. Uptown Basel in Arlesheim is positioning itself as a hotspot for Industry 4.0 and MedTech with quantum computing pioneers and ecological lighthouse character. New districts in Muttenz, BusinessCity and AM SCHÄNZLI combine living and working spaces, green open spaces and climate-friendly mobility, further raising the location’s profile as a centre of knowledge and innovation.

    In Pratteln, modern urban living spaces are being created with Bredella, the Campus der Wirtschaft and Zentrale Pratteln, which focus on sustainable development, smart infrastructure and flexible utilisation concepts. In Allschwil, Bachgraben is developing into a leading life sciences location with the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, where biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical companies are driving forward cutting-edge research and high-tech innovations. The Laufen Industrial Park and Ziegelei Ost in Allschwil create impetus for regional production, craftsmanship and community, focussing on the circular economy and CO² reduction. GETEC PARK is a growth driver for chemistry and life sciences, driven by decarbonisation and ESG standards.

    Basel-Land demonstrates how diversity, sustainability and innovation are driving transformation.

    Dreispitz
    Dreispitz in Münchenstein (Basel-Landschaft) is one of the most diverse areas in the Basel region. Art, education and business come together here. Over 380 companies and around 4,000 jobs characterise the Dreispitz business park, flanked by universities such as the FHNW and creative clusters. The intercantonal area offers space for innovative companies, start-ups, culture and modern educational institutions. A vital future location for the entire region.
    www.dreispitz.ch

    uptownBasel
    uptownBasel is building the future. A state-of-the-art innovation campus for the jobs of the coming decades has been under construction since 2019. The world-famous dental implant manufacturer Straumann is relocating a total of 1,000 jobs to the future-oriented development site by 2028. Arlesheim will thus become the most important hotspot for medical technology in Switzerland. The campus, which is being realised at a rapid pace by the Staehelin family and Fankhauser Arealentwicklungen, is characterised by several buildings already under construction with sustainable architecture at the highest level. The Roofdeck has now attracted worldwide attention and, together with the seminar and event rooms, serves to make the site a state-of-the-art centrepiece for the industrial location of Baselland.
    uptownbasel.ch

    Laufen Industrial Park
    The Laufen Industrial Park is located on the former Keramik Laufen AG tile factory on the south-eastern edge of the city and has been owned by the Abendrot Foundation since 2017. Following the major fire in 2020, which destroyed around 80% of the substance, the industrial site will be rebuilt as a single-storey timber system building from 2025 to 2027. The aim is to provide modern, affordable accommodation for small regional businesses, tradespeople and creative professionals, with flexible rental space and customised expansion options. A network of commercial lanes ensures good access and lighting and promotes networking between users. Densification and multi-storey extensions are possible in order to respond flexibly to regional demand. The focus is on sustainability. Re-use of building components, wood instead of concrete and renewable energy characterise the concept. An area association is intended to strengthen cohesion. Overall, a regionally relevant, versatile and sustainable commercial centre is being created.
    www.abendrot.ch

    AM SCHÄNZLI
    The new AM SCHÄNZLI neighbourhood in Muttenz marks an urban reinterpretation of living, working and leisure at the gateway to Basel. Three high-rise buildings with 385 flats and 14,000 m² of commercial space will be built on the 74,000 m² “Hagnau Ost” site by 2029. A central square and intensive greening will lend urban density and quality of life directly on the Birs recreational area. The focus is on resource-conserving construction, energy efficiency (SNBS Gold), photovoltaics and optimised mobility for pedestrians and cyclists. AM SCHÄNZLI stands for modern site development and sustainable integration of city and nature.
    am-schaenzli.ch

    BaseLink site
    The Bachgraben site in Allschwil has developed into Basel’s innovation engine. The site combines international life science companies, cutting-edge research and sustainable urban development. Projects such as the BaseLink site and new public transport and cycling initiatives are creating attractive workplaces and an urban environment. Close cooperation between the canton, the municipality and the business community is creating momentum and making the area a showcase project in the tri-national region.
    sip-baselarea.com/maincampus/

    Campus of the economy
    The new Campus der Wirtschaft is located directly next to the railway station in Pratteln and is developing into one of the most important event and work locations in the Basel region. By 2028, the H² building will be a state-of-the-art centrepiece. Six storeys will offer over 10,000 m² of flexible laboratory, event and office space, supplemented by a congress hall for up to 1,900 people and a total of more than 6,000 m² of event space. The campus is aimed at companies from industry, research and services, with sustainable architecture, optimal accessibility, infrastructure from a single source and synergies with the Bredella neighbourhood. The development strengthens the region’s competitiveness and positions Pratteln as an international centre for innovation, exchange and major events.
    h2-pratteln.ch

    GETEC PARK.MUTTENZ
    GETEC PARK.MUTTENZ is the leading industrial cluster in north-west Switzerland for chemicals, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. State-of-the-art infrastructure, safe laboratory and logistics areas as well as sustainable energy and resource concepts are concentrated on 50 hectares. The park, created from Infrapark Baselland and Schweizerhalle, is home to global corporations and numerous SMEs. Innovative solutions such as Waste2Value and ESG-based processes make GETEC the growth engine of the industry.
    www.getec.swiss

    Pratteln headquarters
    The Zentrale Pratteln project is transforming the former Coop site north of the railway station into a lively, environmentally and socially oriented neighbourhood. By 2026, around 480 cooperative flats for 1,200 people will be built, supplemented by a new school, around 15,000 m² of commercial space and a variety of open spaces. Construction and planning consistently focus on preserving existing buildings, reusing building components and sustainable energy supply. Historic industrial buildings such as the sugar silo will be retained. The cooperation between six property developers and the innovative utilisation concept make Zentrale Pratteln a showcase project for non-profit and sustainable neighbourhood development in the Basel region.
    centralpratteln.ch

    Bredella in Pratteln
    Bredella in Pratteln stands for the large-scale transformation of a central industrial site into an innovative urban neighbourhood. In the immediate vicinity of the railway station, 87,000 m² of diverse living, working and leisure facilities are being created, interspersed with green squares and renovated industrial buildings. The masterplan and neighbourhood plans focus on gradual development, sustainable mobility and a high quality of stay. With perimeter blocks, high-rise buildings, commercial and studio spaces, car-free areas and lively ground floors, a model for urban living in the Basel region is being created. Bredella boldly combines modernity, history and sustainable development.
    bredella.ch

    Brickworks East
    Ziegelei Ost in Allschwil is undergoing a comprehensive transformation into a lively, mixed neighbourhood. Historic buildings are being carefully preserved and combined with new uses for living, working and recreation. Large green areas, diverse public spaces and a finely meshed network of paths connecting three central squares – Kulturplatz, Quartierplatz and Lettenwiese – are characteristic of the area. The industrial tradition remains tangible through the preservation of the brickworks and their integration into modern structures. The project emphasises circularity, the reuse of building components and flexible new buildings in order to ensure climate protection, sustainability and a high quality of life.
    www.ziegelei-ost.ch


  • Renovating bridges with “smart” steel

    Renovating bridges with “smart” steel

    Many reinforced concrete bridges were designed for traffic loads and vehicle weights that are outdated from today’s perspective. At the same time, chlorides, water and frost have been causing problems for the structures for decades. Traditional refurbishments reach their limits where components are already severely cracked or permanently deformed.

    This is where the new Empa system comes in. It combines a proven method, the additional layer of ultra-high-strength, fibre-reinforced concrete, with an active reinforcing element that specifically builds up internal prestressing forces. The aim is not only to increase load-bearing capacity, but also to literally rebuild damaged bridge slabs.

    UHPFRC meets shape memory steel
    Bridges are already being retrofitted with a thin layer of ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete, which is applied directly to the deck slab. The high-performance concrete is very dense, resists water and de-icing salts and can be easily reinforced. A robust “protective armour” with structural added value.

    The Empa team led by Angela Sequeira Lemos and Christoph Czaderski is now replacing the conventional steel reinforcement in this layer with bars made of iron-based shape memory steel. After installation, the bars are heated to around 200 degrees Celsius and attempt to contract, but are prevented from doing so by the concrete. The result is an internal prestress that closes cracks, reduces deformations and permanently puts the slab in a more favourable state of tension.

    Cracks close visibly
    In a first step, the team investigated the bonding effect between UHPFRC and shape memory steel. How well does the bond remain after heating? How reliably can forces be transferred? This was followed by large-scale tests with five concrete slabs, each five metres long, which simulated self-supporting bridge decks.

    One slab remained unreinforced, the others were given a UHPFRC layer, either with conventional reinforcement or with Fe-SMA bars. In order to simulate realistic conditions, the slabs were initially loaded until cracking occurred and only then reinforced. After heating the Fe-SMA bars, existing cracks visibly closed and sagging areas lifted up again. Significant improvements in deformation were already evident during this activation phase.

    Stiffer, stronger, longer-lasting
    The tests were accompanied by a dense measurement concept. Digital cameras observed the crack patterns, while fibre-optic sensors inside the panels recorded strains along the rods. Similar to fibre optic cables in telecommunications, except that here the backscattered light is used to measure deformation.

    Both the conventional reinforcement with UHPFRC and the new system with shape memory steel were able to at least double the load-bearing capacity compared to the unreinforced plate. However, under everyday loads, such as normal road traffic, the Fe-SMA variant proved to have a clear advantage. The panel became stiffer, permanent deformations occurred later or disappeared completely and existing cracks could be closed. The system thus acts like a “reactivation” of the existing load-bearing structure.

    Fields of application and next steps
    Both the ultra-high-strength fibre-reinforced concrete and the shape memory steel are still relatively expensive. The system is therefore most economically attractive where other reinforcement methods are no longer sufficient. For example, in heavily deformed, already damaged bridges or, in particular, sensitive structures with limited intervention space.

    The use of the system is not limited to bridges. Applications in building construction are also conceivable, for example in cantilevered balconies, flat roofs or sensitive components where compact reinforcement solutions and a very dense surface are required. The Innosuisse-funded project was developed in collaboration with OST, the Empa spin-off re-fer and cemsuisse. Following the successful trials, the team is now looking for a suitable bridge for the first pilot application. If this step is successful, the “smart” reinforced concrete could develop into an important tool for dealing with the ageing Swiss bridge infrastructure.

  • Gaudí’s hidden chalet in the Pyrenees

    Gaudí’s hidden chalet in the Pyrenees

    Neither original plans nor an official signature by Gaudí exist for the Catllaràs chalet. For decades, the attribution was based primarily on formal similarities to known works. The investigation commissioned in 2023 by the Gaudí Chair of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia therefore opted for a different strategy: geometric and constructive analyses instead of archival finds at the last moment.

    Under the direction of Galdric Santana, the building was measured in three dimensions, its supporting structure analysed in detail and compared with confirmed Gaudí buildings. The team also analysed historical photographs and the building history surrounding the projects for Eusebi Güell. The study concludes that the design was by Gaudí, but that the execution was the responsibility of third parties and deviated from the original concept.

    The logic of the vaults
    The core of the argument is the supporting structure. The chalet has a rectangular floor plan and a pointed vaulted roof that reaches almost to the ground. The roof and façade are structurally one unit; windows are located exclusively in the long walls and look like mansards cut into the vault. The end walls remain closed, statically consistent, formally radical.

    The decisive factor is the central longitudinal axis, which acts as a load-bearing backbone to support the storeys. Santana emphasises that this constructive logic is typical of Gaudí. The vault not only serves as a ceiling, it also supports the levels above it. This is based on working with a chain or cable model. The sagging line of a loaded chain provides the ideal pressure line of an arch. If this model is turned round, the result is a vault shape that is almost completely under pressure, a principle that Gaudí systematically utilised.

    Interventions during construction
    However, the study also shows that the load-bearing structure was altered during construction. Instead of consistently transferring the loads via the vault and the central axis, the builders inserted additional transverse walls. Longitudinal beams took over parts of the load transfer, which weakened the original radical clarity of the system.

    Santana sees this as a possible reason why Gaudí never openly claimed authorship. The “cable car”, working with the ideal chain line, was not consistently implemented in the chalet for the support of the floor slabs. The idea can be seen in the supporting structure, but its consistent application was only partially realised.

    Gaudí and Güell
    The chalet was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, Gaudí’s main patron. He ran a coal mine and the Asland cement factory in the region. The building served as accommodation for engineers and technical specialists and their families. As such, the house does not stand in the context of prestigious city palaces, but rather in the field of tension between industry, infrastructure and the harsh mountain landscape.

    The project coincided with a phase in which Gaudí was working on Park Güell and the Colònia Güell church at the same time. Against this background, it seems plausible that he did not take on the construction management of a remote chalet in the Pyrenees himself. After the mine and factory were shut down, the house was used as a country school for a time and many locals remember it from their childhood. Today it has been restored and is open to the public, and is an identity-forming building block for the municipality of La Pobla.

    Typical of the region and highly rational
    The chalet occupies a special place in Gaudí’s oeuvre. It is significantly smaller than icons such as the Sagrada Família, but it shows central motifs of his thinking. Santana speaks of a large-scale reinterpretation of the Gothic mountain huts of the Pyrenees. Gaudí takes up regional building traditions, but transforms them structurally and geometrically.

    The compact, self-contained form responds to the harsh climate and reduces construction costs. Materials are largely sourced from the surrounding area and the building blends topographically into the slope. The 45-degree distributors in the floor plan, which Gaudí also used in the Torre Bellesguard, are also characteristic. They create flowing spatial transitions and break up rigid orthogonal systems – another element of identification.

    How architectural science examines authorship
    The study of the Catllaràs chalet is not only a contribution to Gaudí research, but also a lesson in methods of architectural attribution. In contrast to painting, buildings rarely have a clear “signature”. Works are remodelled, extended or converted by employees, plans are lost or only exist in fragments. The researchers therefore combined geometric analyses, material investigations and digital 3D models with historical source work. Proportions, curvatures and structural logic were compared with verified Gaudí buildings, while photographs from the time of construction completed the picture. At the presentation, the Minister of Culture emphasised how indispensable such scientific certifications are in order to reliably determine authorship. Catllaràs’ chalet is thus transformed from a local special case into a clearly localised building block in the oeuvre of one of the most important architects of modernism.

  • Tandem modules shift solar boundaries

    Tandem modules shift solar boundaries

    Silicon modules established on the market today achieve an efficiency of around 20 to 24% and are therefore already close to the material-specific limit of 29.4%. This limit is a consequence of the so-called Shockley-Queisser limit, which describes a maximum efficiency of 33.2% under ideal conditions for solar cells with only one semiconductor layer.

    The reason for this lies in the band gap of the material: it determines which wavelengths of light can be converted into electricity. If the band gap is too large, long-wave photons are lost; if it is too small, some of the energy is lost as heat. Silicon does not exactly meet this theoretical optimum, which is why only limited increases in efficiency are possible with conventional silicon technology.

    Tandem principle
    Instead of just one semiconductor layer, several layers with different band gaps are combined. Each of these layers utilises a different part of the solar spectrum, from short to long wavelengths. This allows significantly more of the irradiated energy to be converted into electricity, effectively overcoming the classic single-layer limit.

    Theoretically, efficiency levels of over 60% are possible with tandem cells, depending on the material combination and structure. The technical challenge lies not only in the choice of materials, but also in transforming them into a stable module that works reliably under real conditions.

    In the “Vorfahrt” project, a tandem module was created which, according to Fraunhofer ISE, achieves an efficiency of 34.2%, currently the most efficient solar module in the world. It is based on a triple-stacked III-V semiconductor structure on a germanium substrate, an architecture that was originally developed for space solar cells.

    Project partner Azur Space has adapted its space cells to the terrestrial solar spectrum and scaled them up for module production. The company Temicon is contributing a nanostructure on the glass surface that minimises reflection losses and thus opens up additional efficiency percentage points.

    The second record module comes from the “Mod30plus” project. Here, the researchers combined a III-V semiconductor with the more cost-effective silicon instead of germanium, achieving a module efficiency of 31.3%. The basis is III-V/silicon tandem cells with a cell efficiency of 36.1%, which were manufactured and interconnected for the first time in a small series at the institute.

    III-V/silicon technology is moving away from pure laboratory status and towards industrially scalable processes. Both modules clearly exceed the physical limit of classic silicon modules of 29.4%. A value that was long considered almost impossible to achieve.

    Module values for practical use
    In photovoltaics, a distinction is made between cells and modules. Cells are measured under idealised laboratory conditions, while modules consist of many interconnected cells embedded in glass and frames. Inactive surfaces, conductor paths and reflections cause unavoidable losses.

    Accordingly, module efficiencies are always lower than the cell efficiencies, even in the case of Freiburg’s record-breaking technology. Module values are therefore crucial for real applications, as modules are always installed on roofs, façades or vehicles, never individual cells.

    When every square centimetre counts
    High-performance modules become exciting where space is scarce and expensive. For example, in building-integrated photovoltaics, where modules act as façade or roof elements, or on vehicles. The project partners include Audi, which emphasises the potential for vehicle applications.

    Efficiency for the mass market
    Fraunhofer ISE is also pursuing another tandem route. Perovskite silicon modules, developed jointly with Oxford PV, among others. A full-format module with a surface area of 1.68 m² already achieves 25% efficiency and has been produced on production lines that are also suitable for mass production. This technology is aimed less at absolute records than at broad market penetration with comparatively cheap materials and should be suitable for standard roofs in the future. Research groups, including in Hong Kong, are also reporting perovskite-based cells with efficiencies of up to 40%, which illustrates the dynamism in this segment.

  • From local entrance to networked residential address

    From local entrance to networked residential address

    The Neugut site marks the southern entrance to Rickenbach and is located in the municipality’s core zone. The project proposal by Fischer Architekten and Uniola groups seven new residential buildings around two courtyards, while an existing eighth building is integrated into the neighbourhood. A new building with commercial use on the ground floor will be constructed on the site of the existing restaurant, addressing the entrance to the neighbourhood and the village.

    urban planning classification
    The alignment of the new buildings is based on the existing building and Haus Wiesental on the one hand, and on the almost parallel alignment of the surrounding village buildings on the other. This creates a settlement pattern that takes up the existing structure instead of creating a foreign body.

    A narrow stream separates the residential area from the open field and at the same time forms a clear landscape edge. The large lime tree and the position of the “Wiesental” are retained in the new concept, which strengthens the continuity of the townscape.

    interlocking landscape and settlement
    Two use-intensive courtyards form the inner backbone of the new settlement. Opposite them, green spaces are pushed into the development structure from the west, linking the landscape and settlement areas.

    Thanks to the targeted arrangement of the underground car park, the majority of the green space remains unbuilt. This improves planting, infiltration and the water cycle and is in line with the spatial planning objectives of functionally securing and enhancing green spaces.

    Neighbourhood for pedestrians and bicycles
    Garage access, deliveries and above-ground visitor parking spaces are bundled together at the southern edge of the perimeter. There, the neighbourhood opens up to the street space with a square in front of Haus Wiesental, marking the transition from traffic to the residential-oriented inner area.

    The interior of the area is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. The project thus sends a clear signal in favour of the quality of life within the neighbourhood and a traffic-calmed residential environment.

    Timber construction and expression
    With the exception of the basement floors and stairwells, the buildings are designed as timber structures. The façade consists of an insulated timber frame construction with rear-ventilated timber cladding, thus combining energy efficiency with reduced CO₂ emissions.

    vertical double supports structure the façades primarily in terms of height, but vary depending on the building type. In this way, the material appearance remains harmonious, while the structure subtly refers to the internal spatial system and gives the ensemble a lively character.

    from study commission to design plan
    The project was preceded by a study commission with five invited teams, from which Fischer Architekten and Uniola emerged as the winners. The jury particularly recognised that the proposal “naturally” fits into the existing development structure and strengthens the character of the entrance to the town.

    The next stage is the private design plan, which is expected to become legally binding in 2027. Only then will the specific construction project be developed – with the aim of transforming the Neugut site from a specialised use with equestrian facilities to a finely networked residential quarter with a clear address at the entrance to the village.

  • Railway station north Regensdorf

    Railway station north Regensdorf

    The “Baufeld N O” development comprises ten buildings with a total of around 283 rental flats and two inner courtyards. Four- and five-room flats are also planned, which are particularly attractive for families.

    The utilisation concept envisages a strong mix. The development will include a daycare centre and a kindergarten, a restaurant, a grocery shop and other shops and services. Two buildings are planned as purely commercial buildings, while the remaining eight will contain flats from the first to the seventh floor. An underground car park with 289 parking spaces and over 1000 bicycle parking spaces will provide underground access.

    Location and access
    The project is located between the SBB railway line and the Wehntalerstrasse cantonal road and replaces older commercial buildings on the edge of the municipality. This will continue the transformation of the former commercial area near Regensdorf railway station into a dense residential neighbourhood along the transport axis. The first high-rise building, currently the tallest wooden high-rise in Switzerland, and another residential tower have already been realised or are under construction in the immediate vicinity.

    Plots N and O are located on the edge of the settlement in front of the forest and Katzensee area, which emphasises the project’s role as a hinge between densification and landscape. A new road (Spange Althardstrasse) will run along the railway line to the cantonal road, bundling the traffic from the new buildings and routing it into the higher-level network. Plazza has already demolished a commercial building on the railway line for this purpose, and initial preparatory work is underway.

    Architecture and expression
    The design of the development builds on the industrial past of the site. The seven-storey residential buildings will have façades with ceramic and metal panels. Light-coloured profiled sheet metal façades are planned towards Kantonsstrasse, with darker ceramic façades in the inner courtyards, structured by light-coloured window frames and balcony balustrades.

    Two inner courtyards structure the dense development and offer sheltered outdoor spaces in an environment characterised by infrastructure. According to Plazza, visualisations of the various building types are currently being revised and will be published at a later date.

    Project status, costs and rental potential
    The design plan has been legally binding since August 2025 and the construction project is available. Plazza assumes that construction work will begin in 2026 and, according to the planning application, will last until spring 2029.

    According to Plazza, the investment volume is between CHF 220 and 240 million and the annual rental potential is likely to exceed around CHF 9 million. This makes the Bahnhof Nord project one of the most important development components in the company’s portfolio and one of the key growth projects on the outskirts of Zurich.

  • Digitalization in the DNA

    Digitalization in the DNA

    The DNA of SMG Real Estate has been summarized in one word since day 1 and with ImmoScout24 and Homegate for over two decades: Digitalization. With targeted investments in AI innovations, marketing and cybersecurity, SMG Real Estate is continuously developing its platforms and offering real estate professionals future-proof products and services for a digital competitive edge in the market.

    Achieving unprecedented efficiency with AI
    Artificial intelligence acts as a booster when it comes to making real estate agents and managers not only more efficient but also more successful in the long term. It accelerates the development of innovative products that create real added value for real estate professionals and free up valuable time – time for personal advice and support for their customers. A concrete example: thanks to the AI-based creation of advertisement texts in Business Manager, real estate professionals at SMG Real Estate save an average of 14 minutes per advertisement.

    Maximum reach thanks to full marketing power
    Visibility is and remains a decisive factor in real estate marketing. With dedicated marketing activities, SMG Real Estate invests specifically in addressing its platform brands, including ImmoScout24 and Homegate, to reach a wide target group. The aim is to lead the most relevant interested parties directly to the listings, strengthen the market opportunities of business customers and position the two brands as the top real estate platforms in Switzerland in the long term. Attention-grabbing content combined with target group-specific social media campaigns raise awareness among property seekers and set the course for real estate properties to be in the right place at the right time.

    Reliability and security as the basis for customer success
    With hundreds of thousands of visitors to SMG Real Estate’s platforms every day, reliability is a basic requirement. Accordingly, a team of over 100 tech specialists ensures that the required systems function efficiently and with the latest technology at all times. The same applies to cybersecurity: thanks to state-of-the-art protection mechanisms, two-factor authentication and integrated access control, data is even better protected. This allows real estate professionals to focus fully on their marketing. In summary, these and other extensive investments by SMG Real Estate are not only pursuing an optimal price-performance ratio, but also a competitive advantage for their customers in the highly competitive real estate market thanks to noticeable innovation and performance. Because only those who can sustainably position themselves in the market and stand out will have the best possible marketing opportunities.

    You can find more information here

  • Clean waste disposal systems as a success factor in property management

    Clean waste disposal systems as a success factor in property management

    Functioning waste disposal systems are a central component of modern properties. Underfloor and waste containers must not only be emptied, but also professionally cleaned on a regular basis to ensure hygiene, operational safety and value retention. The requirements for odour management, cleanliness and documented service processes are growing, especially in densely used residential and mixed-use areas.

    For property managers and owners, this means that container cleaning must increasingly be seen as an integral part of site management. Today, modern processes with closed water cycles and standardised procedures enable efficient and sustainable implementation.

    Practical example from Ascona

    A recent CleanTech Day in Ascona showed how professional container cleaning works in practice. Representatives from local authorities and facility management took the opportunity to watch live cleanings and exchange ideas directly with experts. The positive response confirms the growing importance of structured container maintenance in property operations.

  • AI monitoring brings new precision to infrastructure planning

    AI monitoring brings new precision to infrastructure planning

    Innovation Zurich has published the latest report from its AI Innovation Sandbox. Under the title “Sensor-based bridge monitoring – data collection and predictions for infrastructure maintenance”, Innovation Zurich, a joint initiative of the Canton of Zurich Economic Development Agency, Greater Zurich Area and Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, investigated what data-based monitoring can achieve in terms of risk assessment and modernisation strategies for infrastructure structures. Data-based monitoring approaches are not yet an integral part of established standard-based condition assessment, which is usually extremely conservative, according to the report.

    In a pilot project, Swiss South-Eastern Railwayfrom St. Gallen and irmos technologies AG, based in Technopark Zurich, examined the Reidholz Bridge on the Wädenswil-Einsiedeln line as an example. It was built in 1910 and rebuilt in 1953. The railway company wanted to clarify whether extending its use from ten to 20 years would be technically possible and economically viable. It also examined whether the methodology could be transferred to comparable bridges in its portfolio.

    Using easy-to-install sensors from irmos technologies, which are specially tailored to the requirements of bridge monitoring, the research partners collected data from real-world operations during a test phase lasting several months. Cameras were also used to document train types, speeds and compositions and to validate the modelled traffic loads.

    The results show that even short measurement periods enable robust statements to be made about fatigue and stiffness, facilitating the trade-off between extending the service life and replacing the structure. This is because “based on sensor data, the system supports infrastructure operators in identifying risks at an early stage and planning maintenance measures in a targeted manner,” summarises irmos founder and CEO Dr Panagiotis Martakis.

    The report concludes that it is crucial that data collection is not an end in itself and that data-based methods solve a specific operational problem, such as the question: How long will the bridge actually last compared to standard-based estimates? The method delivers the greatest added value when it goes beyond individual cases: monitoring entire bridge portfolios enables comparisons, prioritisation and long-term investment strategies. To achieve this, infrastructure operators need to build up their expertise.

  • Areas in Basel-Stadt as the engine of the future

    Areas in Basel-Stadt as the engine of the future

    Basel-Stadt is a prime example of the sustainable transformation of European industrial regions. A new urban culture is growing on what were once closed production sites, combining density, diversity and participation. Areas such as VoltaNord are creating affordable living space and promoting social diversity. Klybeckplus and Klybeckquai are opening up the Rhine area for living, education and leisure. A milestone for urban networking by 2037.

    The cityscape is also changing on the outskirts. The Dreispitz-Nord area combines commerce with urban living, while the Wolf area and Walkeweg are giving rise to new forms of energy-efficient, neighbourly neighbourhoods. In the north, Vordere St. Johann is developing into the region’s centre of knowledge and health with its campus, university and hospital. Projects such as Westfeld are creating places of coexistence that combine building culture, sustainability and social innovation.

    Basel is thus becoming a laboratory for the urban future – characterised by cooperation, down-to-earthness and foresight.

    Rosental Mitte
    Rosental Mitte is developing from a closed industrial area into a permeable, diverse business location. In addition to workspaces, the canton of Basel-Stadt is gradually creating new spaces for living and leisure. Existing structures are being respectfully rebuilt, with historical elements retained as anchors of identity. Public paths and green spaces connect the neighbourhoods, promoting interaction and mobility. One third of the apartments are being built in the affordable segment. Rosental Mitte stands for forward-looking urban development and sustainable urban quality of life.
    rosentalmitte.ch

    VoltaNord
    VoltaNord is a lively district for around 1,500 to 2,000 residents and up to 2,500 jobs being built on the former Lysbüchel site in the north of Basel. Two-thirds of the new flats are affordable and promote social diversity. The development combines dense working and living with added value for the St. Johann district. A new primary school and attractive open spaces make the site a future-oriented place to live, learn and work.
    voltanord.ch

    klybeckplus
    The former industrial site in the north of Basel is being transformed into a mixed-use urban quarter between the Rhine and Wiese rivers. Around 300,000 square metres of space for living and working is being created for up to 15,000 people. Owners Rhystadt AG and Swiss Life AG are developing the site in collaboration with the canton of Basel-Stadt. The 2022 urban development model forms the basis for this. New tram lines, roads, parks and school locations are creating a network of future-oriented neighbourhoods with an urban character.
    klybeckplus.ch

    Klybeckquai & Westquai
    Klybeckquai and Westquai are being transformed from industrial port areas into lively urban landscapes on the Rhine. The relocation of the port railway is creating space for new uses and opening up the urban landscape towards the water. A mixed-use residential neighbourhood with schools, daycare centres and green courtyards is growing on Klybeckquai. After 2029, Westquai is set to become a diverse location for work, culture, leisure and nature. Both areas are developing into sustainable, future-proof neighbourhoods in line with the Net Zero 2037 initiative.
    klybeck-kleinhüningen.ch

    Dreispitz North
    The Dreispitz Nord area on the eastern edge of Gundeldingen is undergoing change: where the MParc shopping centre, the OBI DIY and garden centre and other commercial enterprises still dominate today, a new, diverse district is emerging. The Christoph Merian Foundation and the Migros Basel cooperative are jointly shaping the future of the area. The urban development concept by Herzog & de Meuron enables the development of residential space and attractive green and open spaces, and promotes a mixed-use, forward-looking neighbourhood with a lively character.
    dreispitznord.ch

    Walkeweg site
    The six-hectare Walkeweg site in the south of Basel is being developed into a lively, family-friendly residential neighbourhood. Up to 650 people will be able to live here affordably and energy-efficiently. The canton and SBB are working with building cooperatives to create a diverse range of affordable and compact apartments. A new primary school, spacious natural areas, communal courtyards and a green neighbourhood square and park create space for social interaction and sustainable quality of life. The development follows the principle of “low cost – low energy”.
    areal-walkeweg.ch

    Wolf site
    The Wolf site is being transformed from a freight station into an urban district with a variety of uses. Around 550 flats are being built in the west, a third of which are affordable, while the east will feature office, logistics and commercial space as well as public facilities. Historic buildings are being preserved and integrated into the new courtyard structure, which places particular emphasis on noise and space concepts. SBB is developing and investing here as the owner, creating socially diverse and sustainable living spaces on around ten hectares in the heart of Basel.
    wolf-basel.ch

    Vorderes St. Johann
    Vorderes St. Johann in the north of Basel is developing into an important location for research, education and health. Over the next few years, new buildings for clinics, universities, libraries and private research institutes will be constructed around the Schällemätteli campus and the university hospital. The canton is also pushing ahead with the development of new tram lines and transport projects. A total of 16 construction and infrastructure projects are being implemented, supported by both private and public actors, which will secure the future of the district as a centre of knowledge and health.
    vorderes-stjohann.ch

    University Hospital Basel: Health Campus
    With its Health Campus, the University Hospital Basel is pursuing a comprehensive development plan to ensure competitiveness and cope with increasing pressure on usage. New buildings such as Clinic 2 by Giuliani Hönger and Clinic 3 by Herzog & de Meuron offer flexible use, modern processes and urban quality. A new development plan regulates the development of the entire site, including green spaces and listed buildings. The construction projects are expected to be completed by 2039 and will strengthen Basel’s position as a healthcare location in the long term.
    unispital-basel.ch

    Westfeld
    On the former Felix Platter Hospital site in the Iselin district, Westfeld is creating a diverse urban quarter with 525 new apartments, converted existing buildings and space for commercial and social services. The wohnen&mehr cooperative is committed to sustainable construction and promotes new living models and community spirit through a neighbourhood garden, Westfeldplatz square and local services. The second construction phase will bring further apartments, commercial space and a bicycle pavilion. Westfeld is creating new meeting places and enriching the neighbourhood in a sustainable way.
    wohnen-mehr.ch



  • Defect rights and builders’ liens – important changes

    Defect rights and builders’ liens – important changes

    Kohler Law is a new boutique law firm specialising in construction and real estate law, constitutional and administrative law, and contract law. With over 15 years of experience in law firms in Zurich and Aargau, I advise and represent private individuals, companies and public institutions. As a sole practitioner, I guarantee a direct point of contact, high availability and advice tailored to your needs. My priority is to find efficient, practical and sustainable solutions.

    Sales contract law
    For movable items that are intended to be integrated into an immovable structure (e.g. building materials), there is now a complaint period of at least 60 days for obvious and hidden defects. The limitation period for defect rights remains five years, although a reduction in the period is still permissible.

    When purchasing land with new buildings that are yet to be constructed or are no more than two years old, buyers are now entitled to a mandatory right of rectification free of charge for the first time. In addition, obvious and hidden defects can now also be reported within at least 60 days of discovery. The rights relating to defects for all types of land purchases expire five years after transfer of ownership, and this period may not be shortened.

    Contract law
    In the future, a 60-day complaint period will apply to obvious and hidden defects in immovable works. This also includes defects in movable works that have been integrated into an immovable work, or defects in works by architects/engineers that form the basis for the creation of an immovable work. Another new feature is a mandatory right to free rectification; contractual exclusions or limitations, such as maximum amounts, are invalid. The five-year limitation period cannot be shortened at the expense of the customer; it begins with the acceptance of the work.

    Building contractor’s lien
    The lien secures payment of outstanding claims for remuneration for work performed by contractors. For owners, this can limit creditworthiness or mean a risk of double payment. The new rule is that security covering the principal claim and default interest for ten years prevents the registration of the lien. This introduces a clear, practical regulation that solves previous problems with unlimited interest guarantees.

    Entry into force and transitional law
    The changes will apply from 1 January 2026. Purchase and works contracts concluded before this date will continue to be subject to the old law; claims for rectification for new buildings completed before 2026 will only exist if contractually agreed. However, mandatory limitation periods and the new security rule in the building contractor’s lien apply regardless of the contract date.

    Recommendations
    It is definitely advisable to adapt all contract templates to the new law. When selling properties that are yet to be built, the purchase and works contracts should be aligned with each other in order to avoid contradictions between the liability under the purchase contract and the works contract. This applies in particular to works contracts concluded in 2025 if the property is not sold until 2026. Particular attention should be paid to SIA Standard 118, as this – unlike the statutory provisions – contains a prior right of rectification for the contractor.

  • Operational recovery shows effect in industrial environment

    Operational recovery shows effect in industrial environment

    According to a statement, the Schindler Group achieved sales of CHF 10.947 billion in the 2025 financial year, a decline of 2.6 per cent compared to the previous year. In local currencies, however, growth of 1.3 per cent was recorded. Order intake amounted to CHF 11.313 billion (-0.9 per cent, 3.1 per cent in local currencies). Adjusted operating profit in local currencies even rose by 12.3 per cent. Schindler generated a net profit of CHF 1.073 billion, an increase of 6.2 per cent.

    “2025 marks the final year of our operational recovery,” said Schindler CEO Paolo Compagna. “Four years after facing particular challenges in 2022, I am pleased to say that we have emerged from this phase as a stronger and more resilient company.”

    For the current year, Schindler expects “revenue growth in the low to mid-single-digit percentage range in local currencies.” The EBIT margin target is 13 per cent (2025: 12.6 per cent, adjusted EBIT margin 13.3 per cent). “Our priority for 2026 is to grow in a targeted manner and maintain our focus on further improving operating margins,” says Compagna.

  • Digitalisation drives strategic expansion

    Digitalisation drives strategic expansion

    According to a press release, pom Consulting AG is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The company was founded by Peter Staub and Professor Hansruedi Schalcher as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. It was based on a research project on the integration of tasks, data and processes in the construction industry.

    The consulting firm now offers its services in real estate, infrastructure and construction not only in Zurich, but also in Basel, Bern, Lausanne and St. Gallen, as well as in Berlin, Frankfurt and Cologne. It employs over 130 people, has advised over 800 clients and carried out around 8,000 projects.

    According to a press release, pom is now entering its “next strategic growth phase”. It intends to focus on the further development of its digital services, the automation of customer processes and the targeted expansion of its team.

    In doing so, it can rely on the Zurich-based investment company White Peaks Capital, which became an investor in the summer of 2025. The family-owned investor, which specialises in SMEs, is the ideal partner, Peter Staub, founder and chairman of pom, explained in a press release at the time. “This partnership gives us the basis to accelerate our growth in a sustainable manner while remaining true to our roots.”

  • Digital assistant makes everyday rental life easier

    Digital assistant makes everyday rental life easier

    Zurich-based LIVIT AG has launched a chatbot supported by artificial intelligence (AI). According to a press release, the chatbot, called Livio, is designed to guide tenants digitally through a catalogue of essential questions about renting and living. The real estate service provider, a subsidiary of Swiss Life, wants to expand its digital offerings with this innovation.

    The chatbot draws exclusively on verified content from the LIVIT website, which is constantly updated and expanded by an in-house team of experts from the fields of property management, communication and digital business. Livio is currently in a beta phase.

    “Livio enables us to assist tenants in a straightforward manner. Recurring enquiries are answered automatically, while employees can focus more on individual concerns,” said David Rivière, Head of Management at LIVIT AG, in the press release. Livit is collaborating with the Zurich-based AI company Typewise on the technical implementation of the chatbot.

  • Large area awaiting redevelopment for residential and commercial use

    Large area awaiting redevelopment for residential and commercial use

    HIAG Immobilien AG plans to transform the old Metalli industrial site on the Birs river in Dornach into a mixed-use area for living, working and leisure over a period of up to 20 years. The master plan for the new Wydeneck site envisages 70 per cent residential use for the area of over 130,000 square metres. At least 30,000 square metres are earmarked for commercial and business use. This creates the potential for 600 jobs.

    From the perspective of the Schwarzbubenland location promotion agency, this is not enough. According to a statement, it is calling for the site to be made attractive for the creation of as many high-quality jobs as possible. The focus on residential use carries “the risk of losing valuable commercial space for the future due to short-term profit considerations”.

    Representatives of the location promotion agency, HIAG Immobilien and the municipality have therefore met to discuss the future of the site. HIAG pointed out that “thanks to flexible and forward-looking building and zoning regulations, a higher proportion of commercial use is also possible in principle”.

    Swissmetal will leave the site by the end of 2026. The existing temporary uses can then be expanded. Major structural changes are to be carried out in line with the expansion of the infrastructure. From 2030, the new Dornach-Apfelsee S-Bahn station will connect the site directly to public transport.

  • New building in Gundeli creates living space near the railway station

    New building in Gundeli creates living space near the railway station

    According to a statement, Schlieremer Halter AG has completed construction of the Gundeli new build project and handed it over to the client, WIMAG Weibel Immobilien AG. The project is a rental property in the Gundeli district, directly adjacent to Basel SBB railway station. The new building at Güterstrasse 89/91 and Meret Oppenheim-Strasse 16 offers 66 new apartments as well as commercial and office space, replacing the former residential and commercial buildings on the site.

    The new building densifies the urban space in a central location with a variety of rental apartments. The apartments range from 1.5-room apartments to 3.5-room apartments and feature open floor plans and balconies with versatile views. A green inner courtyard serves as a retreat and enhances the quality of living.

    In addition, versatile commercial space for offices or retail outlets is being created on the ground floor, covering an area of around 1,250 square metres. This is complemented by two further office spaces, each measuring 80 square metres, on the first floor and storage facilities for businesses.

    The two basement levels offer 53 parking spaces that can be rented. These are supplemented by 158 bicycle parking spaces on the ground floor and first basement level.

  • Investor joins circular building materials developer

    Investor joins circular building materials developer

    Medley Ventures from Copenhagen is participating in a pre-Series A financing round for the building materials manufacturer Oxara, based in Dietikon. Medley Ventures is the venture capital fund of the founders ofTo Good To Go, an initiative against food waste. According to a press release, the investor is convinced by the combination of technological innovation, industrial scalability and real-world applicability.

    Oxara replaces CO2-intensive cement with circular binders generated from recyclable and previously unused construction waste. The company’s products can be easily integrated into conventional construction operations, according to the press release. Oxara intends to use the fresh capital to accelerate product development, certification pathways and industrial partnerships, enabling a broader market launch in Switzerland and international markets.

    “What convinced us was the vision behind Oxara: engineering excellence, real industrial impact and credible hope for a better future in construction. By making cement redundant and turning waste into a valuable resource, they are demonstrating that innovation can change the way we build,” Mathias Christensen, co-founder and CEO of Medley Ventures, is quoted as saying in the press release. Gnanli Landrou, CEO and co-founder of Oxara, sees the financing as strong endorsement from a company that is effectively committed to sustainability.

    As part of a Series A financing round, Oxara aims to raise CHF 20 million in fresh capital by March 2026.

  • Renewable energies drive long-term strategy

    Renewable energies drive long-term strategy

    The Zurich Cantonal Electricity Works (EKZ) has had a challenging financial year in 2024/25. According to the annual report, total output fell by only 4.2 per cent to 1,176.4 million Swiss francs. However, operating profit before interest and taxes fell by 64.9 per cent to 18.8 million.

    Nevertheless, profits rose by 24.9 per cent to CHF 186.3 million. According to astatement, this is a result of the company’s investments in the electricity producer Axpo and the Graubünden cantonal utility Repower. The canton and the municipalities with a stake in EKZ will receive a distribution of CHF 46.6 million, around CHF 9 million more than in the previous year.

    The decline in operating income is partly due to the drop in electricity production in Germany and France. Wind power production fell by 14.9 per cent to 517.9 gigawatt hours, while solar power production from photovoltaics fell by 11.5 per cent to 253.2 gigawatt hours.

    EKZ has continued to invest in the expansion of renewable energies in Switzerland. The Madrisa Solar plant in Klosters GR was partially connected to the grid. In Embrach ZH, construction began on the solar plant on the roofs of Embraport. In addition, 4,886 new private solar plants with a total output of 100.5 megawatts were connected to the grid. In the previous year, there were 3,839 systems with 77.7 megawatts. In addition, around 17,500 parking spaces in underground car parks were equipped with EKZ’s charging management system.

    Urs Rengel speaks of a strong annual result. “Uncontrollable fluctuations due to weather, prices, demand and market developments are part of today’s energy system and are likely to continue to increase significantly, both to the benefit and detriment of EKZ,” the EKZ CEO is quoted as saying in the press release. “Investments in production facilities have a long time horizon and we are convinced that they will make a valuable contribution in the long term.”

  • New innovation programme strengthens the canton of Jura

    New innovation programme strengthens the canton of Jura

    According to its announcement, the location and investment promoter Basel Area Business & Innovation is launching a comprehensive innovation programme for the canton of Jura. It is called InnoJura and expands the agency’s activities. In addition to the Switzerland Innovation Park in Allschwil and the one on the Novartis Campus in Basel, it has also been managing the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Jura in Courroux since 2019. Since 2022, Courroux has been hosting the Medtech Congress, the Accelerators i4Challenge and DayOne Tech, all of which promote the establishment and development of start-ups.

    According to the information provided, InnoJura builds on the experience gained in this process. The new programme is divided into three parts. It includes the InnoJura Accelerator, the entry point for start-ups. Young companies from industry-intensive sectors are prepared for partnerships with SMEs through coaching, group sessions and seminars.

    The programme also includes the InnoJura Academy. This is the entry point for SMEs. It is aimed at industrial companies that want to benefit from external innovations and collaborate with start-ups in expert-led workshops and practical modules. Finally, the InnoJura platform is the third element that brings start-ups and SMEs together. Sébastien Meunier, Director of SME Innovation at Basel Area Business & Innovation, has no doubt: “I am convinced that InnoJura will be met with great interest among companies in the Jura.”

  • Schlieren and Zurich cooperate on the expansion of Schlieren North-East

    Schlieren and Zurich cooperate on the expansion of Schlieren North-East

    The cities of Schlieren and Zurich have agreed in a letter of intent to jointly plan and develop Schlieren Nordost. According to a statement issued by the city administration, the agreement specifically concerns a 324,000 square metre area within the overall site. This area is located in Schlieren and belongs to the city of Zurich.

    The aim of the contracting parties is to establish a “binding mission statement by 2030”. This will set out strategic goals and framework conditions for the future urban development and use of the area.

    The area is of considerable benefit to both cities. For Zurich, it is “an important land reserve”, while for Schlieren it plays a role in future urban planning. The cooperation is therefore “a basis for further planning steps and decisions” for both cities.

    Zurich wants to use the cooperation to clarify the future approach to its site “at an early stage and on a solid planning basis”. Various building rights will expire there between 2043 and 2050.

    Schlieren has been working on the further development of several large sites for a number of years. “The north-east remains the largest contiguous development area in the municipality,” it says.

  • Modular furniture system optimises waste management in the office

    Modular furniture system optimises waste management in the office

    Lista Office LO is expanding its office furniture brand of the same name with a modular system for waste management. According to a press release, the LO Value modular system offers sliding and pull-out containers in various sizes, reversible doors and interchangeable magnetic or adhesive labels.

    Fronts that open at the touch of a finger and generous disposal flaps with handles or foot pedals are designed to reduce contact points and the risk of contamination. Freely integrable PET and can presses compress the volume of waste. This in turn reduces the effort required for storage, transport and management.

    According to the information provided, the available LO Value variants are designed to fit into any design concept. As a colourful counterpoint, it attracts attention, while in monochrome it can blend in with its surroundings – depending on “whether the call for waste separation is to be implemented discreetly or as a visual exclamation mark”.

  • Solar diesel to make construction machinery more climate-friendly

    Solar diesel to make construction machinery more climate-friendly

    The construction company Eberhard Bau from Kloten will in future operate its machinery with solar diesel from the Zurich-based cleantech company Synhelion. The long-term purchase agreement, which has now been announced in a press release, provides for the use of renewable diesel from 2027 onwards. According to Synhelion, this will reduce net CO2 emissions by up to 100 per cent compared to fossil fuels. The sustainable fuels can be used in all existing combustion engines.

    Eberhard Bau is Synhelion’s first customer in the construction industry, which has had little leverage to defossilise construction machinery and construction sites. Until now, solar diesel has been used by companies in the aviation, shipping and road transport sectors. Construction machinery, however, is heavy, is used in undeveloped terrain and is difficult to electrify due to its high power requirements. Solar diesel provides a sustainable solution for CO2 reduction “where there was previously no viable alternative,” says Silvan Eberhard, Head of Logistics at Eberhard Unternehmungen.

    According to its own information, Synhelion has been operating the world’s first industrial plant for the production of solar fuels since 2024 with DAWN, which manufactures in Germany. The construction of the first commercial plant is in the planning stage and is scheduled to go into operation in 2027.

    In addition to Eberhard Bau AG, Swiss International Air Lines, Pilatus Aircraft, Zurich Airport, AMAG Group and the Lake Lucerne Shipping Company have signed purchase agreements for renewable fuel with Synhelion.

  • New distribution centre strengthens fresh produce logistics

    New distribution centre strengthens fresh produce logistics

    Denner opened its third distribution centre for chilled products in Mägenwil on 2 February 2026. This is the food retailer’s response to the strong demand for these goods. According to a press release, it is the first chilled distribution centre to be certified according to the Minergie standard. Denner is creating 70 additional jobs there.

    The additional location will supply 250 of the 872 stores with fresh produce. Together with the three distribution centres for non-chilled goods, Denner will in future supply its branch network from six logistics locations.

    Denner is working on expanding its branch network and wants to add more fresh products to its range. The new building took two years to construct and, according to CEO Torsten Friedrich, “symbolises the growth” of Denner. The aim is to secure the logistics for the growing demand for fresh food. In addition, travel distances have been reduced. This could save 120,000 transport kilometres per year. A 10,000 square metre storage area has been created in Mägenwil. It allows more than 700 products to be stored and cooled at between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius.

    The Minergie certificate attests to the new building’s energy efficiency during operation. Waste heat from the energy-intensive operation of the cooling system is used for heating. The entire electricity requirement is generated by photovoltaic systems on the roof and on the south façade. In addition, eight charging stations for trucks and ten for passenger cars can be powered. Another new building for uncooled products is scheduled to go into operation in Aclens VD in 2027.