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Tag: Tech Cluster Zug

  • Tech Cluster Zug: More than just hot air

    Tech Cluster Zug: More than just hot air

    V-Zug employs around 2000 people at the Zug location. A few years ago, the former subsidiary of Metall Zug – Metall Zug is still the largest shareholder – was faced with an all the more serious decision: Where should production be in the future? The choices were a land reserve in Risch-Rotkreuz or moving abroad. In the end, the decision was made in favor of the previous location in Zug; a strong commitment with a vision: on the 80,000 m2 site, the production of V-Zug and other Metall Zug subsidiaries will be concentrated on around a third of the total area. In the coming years, a tech cluster is to be built on the free space. When completed, the area will offer around 3,000 jobs and living space for 300 people. The goal is an actual ecosystem of innovative technologies and services. The future users should come from areas such as cleantech, simulation technology or sensor technology or be related to the core competencies of Metall Zug – i.e. building technology, kitchen, food and cleaning.

    Climate neutrality as a goal
    Now the idea of such a cluster is neither new nor groundbreaking. On the other hand, the goal that Metall Zug has set itself for the realization is innovative: the area should be largely energy self-sufficient. Therefore, together with the local energy supplier, a separate energy system, the so-called Multi Energy Hub, is being implemented. The various areas of the energy sector and industry are linked – a holistic approach in which the areas interact and are connected to one another. Thanks to this sector coupling, the Tech Cluster Zug is not only supplied with energy, but also generates some of it itself. The area will have its own power grid for medium and low voltage. Several water networks with different temperatures enable the generation of cold and heat from the groundwater. The waste heat from industrial production is used to heat the apartments on the one hand and the seasonal groundwater and earth storage tanks on the other. In addition, comprehensive photovoltaics ensure a further step towards CO2 neutrality. Incidentally, the Tech Cluster Zug will be car-free: An intelligent mobility and parking system – the Mobility Hub Zug Nord – is intended to create sustainable solutions for urban areas.

  • ETH robots build hanging gardens for Zug

    ETH robots build hanging gardens for Zug

    The Tech Cluster Zug will have hanging gardens based on ancient models. The planted architectural sculpture intended for this purpose bears the name Semiramis. It is 22.5 meters high and consists of five differently sized and geometrically complex wooden bowls that are placed one on top of the other. A video presented in a media release from ETH shows how these are supported by eight slender steel supports.

    Researchers from the group of ETH architecture professors Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler design and create Semiramis together with Müller Illien landscape architects , the timber construction engineers from Timbatec and other partners from industry and research. The design options come from a machine learning algorithm that was developed in collaboration with the Swiss Data Science Center .

    “The computer model enables us to reverse the conventional design process and to explore the entire scope for designing a project,” Matthias Kohler, Professor of Architecture and Fabrication at ETH Zurich, is quoted as saying. In the Immersive Design Lab , an ETH laboratory for augmented reality, the researchers were able to explore the designs in three dimensions. A software developed jointly with the Computational Robotics Lab at ETH allowed the designs to be modified. According to Kohler, this lighthouse project in architectural research is driving “key research topics such as interactive architectural design and digital fabrication”.

    The Semiramis sculpture is currently being built by four cooperating robotic arms in the robotic production laboratory at ETH Zurich. An algorithm prevents collisions if you each lift one of the wooden panels and place them in the room at the same time. The robots relieve humans of the heavy lifting and precise positioning. They also make complex scaffolding unnecessary.

    The individual shell segments each consist of 51 to 88 wooden panels. When one of them is ready, it is transported to Zug by truck. Semiramis is to be erected and planted in spring 2022.

  • Milestone for sustainable building is being created in Zug

    Milestone for sustainable building is being created in Zug

    The construction project for V-ZUG ‘s new production and assembly building called Zephyr Ost in the Zug Tech Cluster is the largest to date in which CO2-enriched concrete has been used. It is made from recycled concrete from the building materials group Holcim , which is enriched with CO2 using a neustark process. According to a press release , the construction work started on Wednesday. The building is scheduled to go into service in 2023.

    For this climate-friendly concrete, CO2 from Switzerland is being used for the first time. The start-up based in Bern and spun off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich ( ETH ) in 2019, neustark extracts the CO2 from the wastewater treatment plant of the ara region Bern AG .

    The recycled granulate for concrete production is processed by the recycling processing plant Arge EvoREC in Oberdorf NW. This is a joint venture between Holcim Kies und Beton AG and Zimmermann Umweltlogistik AG . The granulate is then carbonated by neustark using the dry process. The technology has been tested in the past few months and is now being used commercially.

    With the use of 4,200 cubic meters of recycled concrete and the binding of CO2, a total saving of 71 tons of CO2 is achieved compared to conventional construction. That corresponds roughly to the annual CO2 uptake of 3500 Swiss firs.

    “We are pleased to be able to come one step closer to our vision of climate-neutral and circular concrete production with the help of the innovative neustark process,” said Giovanni Barbarani, Head of Concrete Performance at Holcim Switzerland. “This project is a milestone on the way to sustainable building in Switzerland, also thanks to its regionality and short transport routes.”

    The Metall Zug Group wants to create “a new piece of the city for an industrial ecosystem” in the Zug Tech Cluster. Other industrial companies, start-ups, technology-related service providers, training institutions and apartments are also to be located there.

  • Westhive is planning a new location in Zug

    Westhive is planning a new location in Zug

    The Metall Zug Group wants to create "a new piece of the city for an industrial ecosystem" on the V-Zug site. Additional industrial companies, start-ups, technology-related service providers, training facilities and apartments are also to be located on the so-called Tech Cluster Zug.

    The Zurich coworking provider Westhive also wants to be present on the area. According to a media release , he will open a new location there in late summer 2022. Members are to be offered flexible workplaces, conference rooms, a coffee bar, a team kitchen and a fitness area. Overall, the Zug location will cover an area of more than 2000 square meters.

    "We are very pleased that we have found such a suitable location in Zug", Bruno Rambaldi, co-founder of Westhive, is quoted as saying. "And with Metall Zug we have an ideal partner for the implementation."

    According to David Carnier, who is responsible for the Westhive project on the part of Tech Cluster Zug AG, Westhive's flexible workplaces fit well into the concept of the Tech Cluster Zug.

  • Tech Cluster Zug: A signal for the future

    Tech Cluster Zug: A signal for the future

    The Tech Cluster Zug (TCZ) is a commitment to Switzerland as an industrial location: "Currently, four large new buildings have already been built for the consolidation of V-ZUG or are in the process of being developed," says CEO Beat Weiss, not without pride. There were a number of hurdles to overcome: “On the one hand, there are building law restrictions. The industry often has to react quickly to new circumstances. On the other hand, we also want to be attractive to third parties, although they don't want to wait five years for building permits. But the high utilization and high density on the area also presented us with some challenges. " Every new building must be compatible with the city, neighborhood and neighborhood.

    So far, this has been an excellent success, especially since the development plan for the Zug Tech Cluster has been accepted without dissenting votes in the Grand City Council. There were no objections later either. The road to this goal was long: "It took five years to get the current planning law – from 2013 to 2018. But to this day, every new building application is, in spite of everything, a productive discussion with neighbors, the Zug Cityscape Commission and urban planning." Cooperation with well-known architects such as Diener & Diener from Basel, who, among other things, have realized the entrance building on the Novartis Campus, is definitely beneficial.

    Three new major customers in Zug
    For Weiss, it is exciting to bring all of the different interests under one roof: “A current key element is the Mobility Hub, which we are currently building. These include a multi-storey car park with around 600 potential electric parking spaces with options to switch to public transport or non-motorized traffic as well as shops and bistro space. This new infrastructure is located on the northern periphery of the city of Zug, which will be developed via the new connection axis to the motorway from mid-2021. " Such traffic management also contributes to the urban location advantages, which in turn attract more and more skilled workers to central Switzerland. The small area, the proximity to nature, but also the uncomplicated way of solving problems would make the city of Zug particularly attractive. This is also reflected in three new major projects that are being implemented for third parties: “There is SHL, for example. So far, it has exclusively produced in Taiwan and now wants to set up European production – not least because of the coronavirus. " It manufactures auto-injectors for insulin pumps and until now only had its main office in Zug. The second project concerns VZ DepotBank, which is part of the asset center in Zurich and accommodates a large part of its workplaces, particularly in the IT services sector, in the tech cluster. “Finally, we have the co-working space provider Westhive, who, after Zurich and other cities, is now also actively involved in our work,” says Weiss happily.

  • SHL Medical is building a sustainable new location

    SHL Medical is building a sustainable new location

    SHL Medical invests in a new location on the Tech Cluster Zug . This will consist of a 10,500 square meter production area and a 5,000 square meter office space. The manufacturer of injection systems plans to employ around 400 people there.

    Several architectural offices have developed concepts for the new location as part of a competition. The project by the architects Penzel Valier AG has now prevailed, according to a media release . In addition to SHL Medical, the jury also included the city of Zug, Metall Zug and experts from various disciplines.

    The project by the architects Penzel Valier relies on the use of wood as the main alternative material. The energy is supplied via a building-integrated solar energy system. Sea water is used for heating and cooling. The excess heat and energy is recovered for further use. Overall, according to the information, this enables zero CO2 emissions production.

    According to the announcement, the building application is planned for the end of 2021. Because the SHL Group is aiming for continuous growth in the coming years, the expansion of the location is planned in two construction phases and in four expansion stages. The commissioning of the four expansion stages is to take place in several stages.

    "The building architecture should provide an environment that optimally supports the activities of our employees and operations," Ulrich Faessler, CEO SHL Medical, is quoted in a separate press release. "As we at SHL are striving for continuous growth and in order to consolidate our pioneering role within the industry, we will further strengthen our global presence and our activities through global production," he adds.

    SHL Medical relocated its headquarters to Zug in Switzerland in 2018. One of his goals was to further strengthen the global partnership with his pharmaceutical customers. In addition to Switzerland, SHL Medical also has locations in Taiwan, Sweden and the USA.

    The Tech Cluster Zug is being built on the headquarters of V-ZUG AG in the city of Zug. V-ZUG wants to concentrate its production in the north of the area. Industrial companies, technology-related services, start-ups as well as research and educational institutions are to be located on the remaining parts of the area.

  • VZ Depotbank builds headquarters in the Tech Cluster Zug

    VZ Depotbank builds headquarters in the Tech Cluster Zug

    VZ Depotbank AG and Urban Assets Zug, a subsidiary of Metall Zug AG , have signed a letter of intent for the construction of the new bank headquarters on the area of the Tech Cluster Zug . The Metall Zug Group will provide information on this in a media release . As it says in it, this signature triggers the start of the overall development of the two high-rise buildings CreaTowers East and CreaTowers West.

    VZ Depotbank is expected to move into the 40 meter high east tower in 2025. In a second construction phase, the up to 60 meter high west tower is to be built for urban uses and living, among other things. A shared underground car park is planned for both. The architecture competition is expected to be completed in 2021.

    According to the Metall Zug Group, the development of the Tech Cluster Zug is “ another big step forward shortly after the project was communicated for SHL Medical AG in November 2020”. At that time , Metall Zug announced that the provider of drug delivery systems would build a combined production and office building on the site.