Tag: Switzerland

Empa scientists create living, biodegradable plastic

Empa scientists create living, biodegradable plastic

June 2, 2025 |

In Switzerland, researchers at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have created a biodegradable material from the mycelium of the split-gill mushroom. The living, plastic-like substance is flexible, tough, and edible, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. The innovation lies in preserving the biological activity of the mushroom’s mycelium during processing. […]

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Swiss lake steamboat uses solar fuel for first time

Swiss lake steamboat uses solar fuel for first time

May 26, 2025 |

In Switzerland, Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) AG has used solar fuel from Synhelion for the first time. The steamboat Gallia was symbolically fueled with solar diesel from Synhelion’s industrial scale plant DAWN – a milestone for more sustainable mobility on the water. The over 110-year-old steamboat was symbolically fueled by Synhelion with the first […]

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Empa researchers develop bio-based packaging material from mycelium

Empa researchers develop bio-based packaging material from mycelium

May 26, 2025 |

In Switzerland, sustainably produced, biodegradable materials are an important focus of modern materials science. However, when working natural materials such as cellulose, lignin or chitin, researchers face a trade-off. Although these substances are biodegradable in their pure form, they are often not ideal when it comes to performance. Chemical processing steps can be used to […]

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Split-gill mushroom eyed for biomaterial potential

Split-gill mushroom eyed for biomaterial potential

May 19, 2025 |

In Switzerland, researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have developed a biobased material from the living mycelium of the split-gill mushroom that boasts impressive tensile strength and durability while remaining fully biodegradable and edible. The findings could mark a significant advancement over traditional biobased materials that often lose their eco-friendly […]

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Holcim teams with Elemental to use biochar for housing material

Holcim teams with Elemental to use biochar for housing material

May 19, 2025 |

In Switzerland, Holcim is partnering with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena and his firm ELEMENTAL to present a new biochar technology that transforms buildings into carbon sinks. Presented in Venice during the 2025 Architecture Biennale, the technology is applied for the first time in a full-scale Basic Services Unit housing prototype. The prototype follows the […]

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EPFL scientists unveil aquatic robot made from fish food

EPFL scientists unveil aquatic robot made from fish food

May 12, 2025 |

In Switzerland, researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have developed a biodegradable, fish food-based aquatic robot that could revolutionize environmental monitoring in fragile ecosystems. The research, which was published in Nature Communications, introduces a small, boat-shaped robot powered by entirely edible components. By mimicking the Marangoni effect — the same surface tension trick […]

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Clariant rice bran wax solves printing ink supply chain dilemma

Clariant rice bran wax solves printing ink supply chain dilemma

April 7, 2025 |

In Switzerland, specialty chemical maker Clariant has launched a wax solution that addresses the increasing supply chain complexities facing formulators who rely on carnauba wax for printing ink applications. Though renewable, carnauba wax sourcing is challenged by seasonal harvesting limitations, climate dependencies, and labor-intensive collection processes.  Clariant’s Ceridust 1310 is a micronized rice bran wax […]

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IATA launches Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization to develop SAF registry

IATA launches Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization to develop SAF registry

March 27, 2025 |

In Switzerland, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has established the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO) to manage the IATA-developed Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry when it is released. CADO is incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in Canada with its headquarters in Montreal. IATA is the founding member of CADO and its role in CADO […]

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Kanadevia Inova invests in Dutch biomethane market through Iona Capital

Kanadevia Inova invests in Dutch biomethane market through Iona Capital

February 25, 2025 |

In Switzerland, Kanadevia Inova announces its first investment in the Dutch biomethane market, made through its recently acquired subsidiary, Iona Capital. The deal sees Iona take a majority stake in Groengas Cothen B.V, a 100GWh per annum biomethane facility in the central Wijk bij Duurstede municipality, and paves the way for the development of further […]

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Swiss chocolatier Lindt invests in Food Brewer

Swiss chocolatier Lindt invests in Food Brewer

February 24, 2025 |

In Switzerland, food-tech startup Food Brewer has raised CHF 5 million ($5.6 million) in a seed extension round that included participation from chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli. Food Brewer is developing plant cell culture to produce cocoa and coffee alternatives. Both are increasingly difficult to cultivate conventionally due to climate change. “Lindt & Sprüngli is known for […]

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