cleantech switzerland 2010-1
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WISekey Gold Partner of CleanTech Switzerland inTRANSCRIPT
Switzerland at the World Future Energy Summit 2010 presented by T-LINK and
Spring | 2010
Cleantech Switzerland
Know How, Technology and Services for Masdar City and the Gulf Region
Editorial
Switzerland is a beautiful country. Its mountains attract hun-
dreds of thousands of tourists each year. But before tourism
arrived in the Alps, it was a poor region whose population had
to weather harsh natural conditions. Alpine people had to be
disciplined, punctual, efficient – and they had to rely on each
other. These are the roots of sophisticate watchmakers, trust-
worthy bankers, innovative engineers and environmentalists
alike.
Switzerland is going a step further. It is putting its tradition of
being of being well organized, research driven, technically in-
novative and environmentally conscious together to create a
Cleantech hub. Its universities and colleges, its multination-
als and small and medium-sized companies, its sustainable
business organizations and export promotion organizations
are creating a network to help making the world cleaner and
greener. Swiss Cleantech can be added to Switzerland’s as-
sets of global importance as the Swiss financial market has
been. The foundation of Swisscleantech, the business asso-
ciation of sustainable Swiss companies, is a major step in this
direction.
Steffen Klatt talking to Sheika Lubna Al-Quasimi, minister of
foreign trade of the United Arab Emirates (Zurich, October 2008):
Steffen Klatt is editor of www.nachhaltigkeit.org, the news portal on
sustainable development and Cleantech.
Clean Switzerland becomes a Cleantech hub
To tell a little clean secret: Some of the roots of Swiss Clean-
tech are in the Gulf region, or, to be more precise, in Masdar.
Swiss companies like Maxmakers and Credit Suisse had the
honour to be among the very first to shape this outstanding
and visionary enterprise. Now Switzerland is the first country
to build its own neighbourhood – the Swiss Village – in Masdar.
More than 120 companies have joined the Swiss Village Asso-
ciation, joining the great effort to create the first true ecocity.
We have to work, and we have to live in a way that our children
and grandchildren will inherit a world worth living in. Switzer-
land has a lot to offer to make this true.
Steffen Klatt, editor
Swiss Village Masdar City
H.E. Moritz Leuenberger, Moritz Leuenberger is Vice-President of
the Swiss Confederation for 2010 and Head of the Federal Depart-
ment of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication. He
has been member of the Federal Council - the Swiss government -
since 1995.
than they consume. Water, wind and solar power should cover
our remaining energy demands in the long term. All scientists
agree that the 2000-Watt Society will be possible in a few dec-
ades. If all of us can reduce our energy consumption to this
level, the earth’s ecosystem should remain in balance.
Bidding farewell from environmentally unfriendly, inefficient
machines, heaters and vehicles can only happen if we replace
them with efficient new technologies. I am pleased that in-
novative Swiss colleges and businesses are world leaders in
the development of these new sustainable technologies. Here
in Abu Dhabi, where a fascinating futuristic city is emerging,
Swiss researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs are finding
the perfect framework to further develop and perfect sustain-
able technologies. Masdar and the Swiss Village are leading
the way for our climate and energy politics. This is the vision
we are gearing towards.
Moritz Leuenberger, Dezember 2009
At the world climate conference in Copenhagen, the consensus
was that we cannot allow global warming to reach two degrees
Celsius above levels recorded in 1990. Although the major in-
dustrialised countries and most emerging markets basically
committed to reducing their carbon emissions in the spirit of
that consensus, environment ministers in Copenhagen didn’t
manage to reach binding climate targets. This step must be
completed in follow-up conferences in 2010. For Switzerland,
this means that we have to assume responsibility for reduc-
ing our emissions ourselves. We have already committed to
reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020. And by
the year 2050, we even want to bring down our emissions by
80 to 95 percent of 1990 levels. To achieve these targets, we
are backing a CO2 tax on fossil and hydrocarbon fuels. From
the resulting revenue, starting in 2010, there will be 200 mil-
lion francs available annually to modernise buildings in energy
efficiency. On top of that, we want to significantly reduce car
emissions in the next few years in line with EU standards and
shift the transport of goods through our country from roads to
rails. If we want to leave the next generations a healthy envi-
ronment with sufficient resources, we need to start living with
a considerably more sustainable attitude. This is perfectly fea-
sible without harming our quality of life: the key is to increase
energy efficiency and promote renewable energies. Energy
consumption can be cut massively with the help of strict regu-
lations, raising consumer awareness and, most importantly,
the well-directed promotion and propagation of new technolo-
gies. Even now there are buildings that produce more energy
Swiss Pavillon Energy Summit 2010, Abu Dhabi
3Editorial
Clean Switzerland becomes
a Cleantech hub
5Moritz Leuenberger
Swiss Pavillon Energy Summit 2010,
Abu Dhabi
6Interview with Doris Leuthard:
Switzerland is backing Cleantech
8Swiss Exhibitors
9Swiss Cleantech Presence Strong
at WFES 2010
10Swiss Exhibitors
11Interview with Mathis Wackernagel:
Mankind is loaded with mounting
debt
12Climate protection: Enjoy your food
14Swiss Exhibitors
15Interview with Gina Domanig: Big
Boosts, Little Bubbles
16The economy has to live healthily
18Swiss Exhibitors
19Interview with Willy Bischofberger:
Taming the wind and the sun
20Into the future with intelligent
networks
22Swiss Exhibitors
23Interview with Max Renggli: Wood
pioneer is building high
24Switzerland’s trade and investment
promotion at a glance
25Interview with Daniel Küng: Export
Platform for Swiss Cleantech
Companies
26Happiness at home moves in with
Minergie
28Swiss Exhibitors
29Interview with Gilbert Ligner:
Efficiency helps to sink costs
30Waste is valuable
32Swiss Exhibitors
33Interview with Claude Béglé:
Sustainability brings efficiency
34Mobility with Gold Status
36Swiss Exhibitors
37Interview with Felix Zurbriggen: The
pearl of the Alps does without cars
38Swiss Exhibitors
40Swiss Village - The Swiss zone in
Masdar
41Swiss Village Association: Sponsors
and Strategic Partners
42Swiss Village Association: Members
44 swisscleantech Association
45Interview with Nick Beglinger:
Switzerland is Cleantech
46Swiss Pavillion organised by T-LINK
47Floorplan
Table of content
Doris Leuthard is Swiss Federal President in 2010.
She has been member of the Swiss Federal Council
- the Swiss government - and head of the Federal De-
partment of Economic Affairs since 2006.
lish additional faculties with private industry. The innovation
promoting agency KTI supports applied research. Secondly,
within the third package to support the economy, we create
an export platform. Many small and middle-sized businesses
in this area are not well structured enough for export. Whoever
wants to go into export needs a certain size and power. With
this export platform, we hope to really support product sales.
Does Switzerland want to play a leading role in Clean-
tech, also on the international stage?
Switzerland is already well positioned in the production of thin-
film solar modules. We have well qualified work forces that are
innovative and technologically efficient. We can therefore ex-
pect to compete in fast-growing mass markets. Switzerland
also enjoys an excellent system competencies relevant to
Cleantech, including traffic, building, water and waste, which
are all worthy of being exported.
What does Switzerland expect from its strategic alli-
ance/co-operation with Masdar?
The Swiss interest extends particularly to these areas:
• Privileged participation in a visionary project, allowing the
Swiss Cleantech industry to position itself and demonstrate
its leading technologies in building quality and energy
efficiency.
• Privileged access to procurement of goods and services as
a member of the Swiss Village Association (SVA), which is try
ing—with the assistance of the Swiss Trade and Investment
Board (Osec)—to match the needs of Masdar with the offers
of Swiss companies, thus reducing the entry barrier for our
SMEs.
•Establish a regional business location in a highly attractive
tax and financial environment, allowing for access to impor
tant businesses opportunities in the region.
Are you supporting Cleantech to compensate for the de-
creasing importance of the financial market?
Financial services will remain important for us. However, we
want funds to be dealt with less riskily. It is therefore absolutely
possible for the financial market to remain important, though
maybe with a slightly smaller share in gross domestic product.
I see this situation as a chance for technology sectors. They
could become a more important pillar in the Swiss national
economy. I’m sure no one has anything against jobs that are
safeguarded for a long time.
You will be federal president in 2010. Will you still have
time to promote Cleantech?
Of course. I remain responsible for my department. The po-
sition of federal president provides me the possibility to talk
about it more, to get involved and for us to be fully committed
on a global scale. For a long time I have been fighting alone at
the World Trade Organisation to unite trade and the environ-
ment. With my new function, I can contribute to bring change
to sustainable economic management in Europe and, if pos-
sible, all industrialised countries.
Steffen Klatt
Why are you lobbying for the support of Cleantech?
Doris Leuthard: Growth is important for a national economy. The
last few years have shown us that we should increasingly pay heed
not to grow at the cost of people and the environment. If you want a
good national economy in the long term, you need technology that
is clean and preserves resources. This doesn’t just concern Swit-
zerland: Cleantech is a general trend with huge growth potential.
According to studies, Cleantech’s stake in the global economy will
double from three to at least six percent. This is a good initial posi-
tion for Switzerland. We already started years ago, from collecting
glass to sewage treatment plants. We have internalised a lot. We
have the technology available, and we can now develop it further.
Traditionally, in Switzerland, the federal government does
not directly support the economy. Is Cleantech proving to be
an exception?
You are right that we basically do not have an industrial policy. With
the stimulus package, we are just calling attention to the fact that
this sector is one of great importance for Switzerland and indeed
worldwide. More can be done here. So when the state puts some-
thing into motion, then it is absolutely consistent with our reserved
policy to put separate industries under the spotlight. The federal
council attaches importance to developing a new economy that is
more crisis-proof.
Do you also support for Cleantech because it overlaps with
different industries?
In the past, we set the tone in the energy sector first and foremost.
With the plans of action for energy efficiency and renewable en-
ergies, we supported a sector in 2008, but not the whole range.
However, other areas are also important, namely climate policy. The
Stadler report observed that many resources are finite, for instance,
metals. We are much more conscious of what happens when we
do not try to change awareness in businesses and in society as a
whole.
Which instruments to promote Cleantech do you have at
your disposal?
Fundamental research is important. We need to further develop ex-
isting technologies with applied research. Here the state is obliged
to provide sufficient means. We are doing that. We already have
more than one hundred faculties. Colleges have begun to estab-
Switzerland is backing CleantechCleantech will become an important pillar in the Swiss econ-omy, says federal councillor Doris Leuthard. Changing to sus-tainable economic management is a way of making Switzerland crisis-proof. And in her year as federal president, she wants to promote support for Cleantech and sustainability both in Swit-zerland and on the international stage.
Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart (left) has been Ambassador of Swit-
zerland to the UAE since December 2007. He is talking to HH General
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu
Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces
(center) at the World Future Energy Summit 2009.
10
Cleantech is poised to be an important pillar in Switzerland’s
economy, says Swiss President Doris Leuthard. That is one of
the reasons the Swiss Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate
General in Dubai, the Swiss Business Hub GCC and the Swiss
Business Councils in Abu Dhabi und Dubai are promoting and
supporting Swiss Cleantech companies and sustainability in
the United Arab Emirates in general, including the “Swiss Vil-
lage” project in Masdar City. To that end, the Swiss Business
Councils have also created an environmental subcommittee
to promote Cleantech in the region. We are pleased about the
strong presence of a Swiss delegation and Swiss Cleantech
companies at the World Future Energy Summit 2010 (WFES).
One of the Swiss speakers at the WFES 2010 is Bertrand
Piccard, President of Solar Impulse. He said: “At each major
premiere, the adventurers of the last century pushed back the
limits of the impossible. Today, human and technical enquiry
must go on, with a view to improving the quality of life for hu-
manity. By writing the next pages in the history of aviation with
solar energy, with the goal of eventually flying around the world
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
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Swiss Cleantech Presence Strong at WFES 2010
without fuel or pollution, Solar Impulse’s ambition is to contrib-
ute in the world of exploration and innovation to the cause of
renewable energies, demonstrate the importance of new tech-
nologies in sustainable development and, of course, to place
dream and emotion at the heart of scientific adventure once
again. “ I’m looking forward to meeting the Swiss delegation,
Swiss companies and Mr. Bertrand Piccard in Abu Dhabi! Wel-
come.
The Swiss-born Mathis Wackernagel is a founder and Executive Di-
rector of Global Footprint Network, a charitable research organization
headquartered in California. His organization supports the creation of
a sustainable economy by advancing policies that reflect the concept
of the Ecological Footprint.
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
12 13
Mankind is loaded with mounting debt
The Ecological Footprint appears simple. How does it fit
into a complex reality?
Mathis Wackernagel: Actually, reality is not so complex. Our
planet has a limited surface that provides us with all the eco-
logical services we need: water, food, waste sequestration, en-
vironmental stability, etc. Essentially, we will live on a big solar
collector that transforms solar power into everything we need.
At Global Footprint Network, we think like farmers: we want to
know how much productive area, or biocapacity, there is, and
how much people use.
Is it possible to translate our individual consumption
into hectares on a global scale?
On the one hand, we need to know how much area we have
and how productive it is. To make results comparable, we ex-
press them in global hectares – hectares with world average
productivity. On average, worldwide, we have about two hec-
tares per person. On the other hand, we need space to grow
what we eat, to cope with our waste, to provide fibres. We can
add up all the space we use – and call this the “Footprint”. This
Footprint then can be compared with the space we have.
Can we use this tool everywhere?
Of course, the Footprint does not do everything. Still, I believe
that biocapacity will become the main currency in the 21st
century. We can overuse it like we can overuse financial as-
sets. Currently, we are amassing a big ecological debt, and this
debt will weigh heavily on our shoulders. What are the physi-
cal manifestations? Forests disappear, fisheries collapse, fresh
water becomes scarce, pollution accumulates in the atmos-
phere. This will have economic consequences. Everyday, life
is becoming more expensive. All the assets that depend on
cheap resources in order to operate, such as inefficient build-
ings or jets, will decrease tremendously in value.
How come the United Arab Emirates, one of the coun-
tries with the biggest Footprint, is among the first work-
ing with Global Footprint Network?
The ability to consume resources correlates with purchasing
power. Since the Emirates have significant purchasing power,
they have higher Footprints as well. But with purchasing pow-
er also comes choice. For instance, as in the case of Masdar
City, one can choose to invest in emerging economies that
avoid the current resource trap. The United Arab Emirates is
among the few countries who view oil as an asset rather than
income. This is the correct way of looking at oil. They recog-
nize that pumping oil out of the ground is not production, but a
transfer of assets from one type (crude oil) to another (invest-
ments). This transfer only makes sense if it turns the assets
into something more valuable. Most other oil-producing coun-
tries view oil as income, so they liquidate it. This is un-, or even
anti-economical.
Is our Footprint too big?
Humanity’s Footprint is too big. If we
want to maintain a stable life on the
planet, then it would be better to con-
sume no more than what Earth can
regenerate. Otherwise we inevitably
liquidate our ecological assets. If we
stay in overshoot, we will further in-
crease our ecological debt. This would
severely undermine our economies’
ability to operate.
What is the right balance?
Every country has to figure that out for
itself. Optimal resource consumption
depends on three factors. How much
biocapacity does your country have?
What is your purchasing power compared to the world aver-
age? If your purchasing power is below the worldwide aver-
age, then it is unlikely you can access more biocapacity from
elsewhere. Managing resources is not so different from man-
aging finances.
Right now, humanity’s Ecological Footprint is 1.4 Earths – this
means it takes the planet over one year and four months to
regenerate what humanity consumes in one year. If we want
to limit our risk exposure to this overshoot, we possess two
huge levers to fix the situation. The United Arab Emirates has
focused on one: discovering how we build and operate cities
with a very low resource input. The resource pressures have
been growing because of increased consumption and growing
populations. There are more of us, and we all want to live well.
Another aspect is demographics. Will we be better off with
more or fewer people? There are strong economic arguments
that suggest that slowly shrinking population numbers are both
an economic and social boon. This transition is achieved most
effectively without coercion, as shown in Thailand.
You come from Switzerland. Did it influence your thinking?
As a child, I was fortunate enough to experience nature firsthand.
I spent many vacations on a farm. It showed me where apples,
milk and meat come from. It taught me about the cycles of na-
ture. These vacations turned out to be the best education I ever
received. I hope every child has this opportunity.
Steffen Klatt
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Swiss consumers do not just consider organic products to be very im-
portant: these products should also get to the shops without harming
the environment. Goods carried by air are seen particularly critically.
If for example vegetables are transported by plane, they burden the
climate about 80 times as much as seasonal vegetables from Switzer-
land. That is why Coop, the number two supermarket chain in Switzer-
land, puts a logo on all products that have been imported by plane. On
top of that, all business trips for employees as well as the transport of
goods by air, except flowers, are compensated. The CO2 compensa-
tion fund is allocated about two million USD per year.
14
synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, organic consumers take in
less residual toxins in their food. In a study by the Soil Associa-
tion, they found more dry substances, less nitrates – but usu-
ally more sugar – and more vitamin C in over 50 percent of the
organic products tested.
Apart from taste, there is also the ecological aspect of naturally
produced food. Organic farmers do not use chemical-synthet-
ic pesticides and fertilisers, and, by means of the cyclical prin-
ciple, ensure the sustainable health of the earth and increased
biodiversity. Rivers and lakes also benefit from this system.
Regional products are popular
Organic farming also reduces water consumption. All these
reasons are why Switzerland is fully backing organic food.
Organically cultivated areas are not burdened with pesticides,
are free of fertilisers and therefore cause much less pollution
to the earth and water. That carries weight: the Swiss drink
between two and four litres a day. But to produce food stuffs,
between 2,000 and 5,000 litres of water are needed per person
per day.
Not only organic products are popular. Swiss consumers are
also increasingly turning to regionally produced food, even if
they have been produced conventionally. Farmers’ markets,
butchers and small shops offer regional products. Both super-
market chains Migros and Coop have their own production
lines offering regional foodstuffs, particularly fruit, vegetables,
meat and sausage.
That also helps to preserve the climate: if you buy a bundle of
asparagus in February that comes from Mexico, five litres of
fuel was consumed to deliver it. But if you wait until May and
buy local asparagus, the fuel consumption for the same veg-
etable decreases to 0.3 litres.
Nathalie Schoch
The global consumer is accustomed to buying practically any
food, practically anywhere and at practically any time. This
variety appears to reflect prosperity. But it has its dark side:
formerly exotic food becomes popular and regional traditions
dwindle away; and, of course, transporting food long distances
harms the environment. Now the tide is turning: customers are
demanding to know where foodstuffs come from, what basic
materials they contain and what happens in their production.
The trend is particularly strong in Switzerland. Almost 50 per-
cent of the Swiss population buy organic foods at least once a
week. The most popular are fresh bread, eggs, dairy products
and baby food. In this, Switzerland is the world leader.
Organic market steadily growing
So it is no surprise that organic trade is experiencing a dramat-
ic upturn. According to the organisation Bio Suisse, turnover
in organic food in 2008 increased by 11.2 percent to almost
1.4 billion dollars. The organic market therefore grew twice as
much as the conventional market. Frontrunners in the expan-
sion are fresh products whose value totals 628.5 million Swiss
Francs, whilst the market share for organic meat is compara-
bly small. Still, the significant sales show that more and more
Swiss consumers are turning to organic meat and are thus
more conscious of the meat they consume.
In Switzerland, there are over 6,000 organic enterprises. In
total, they work 121,000 hectares of land, or 11.4 percent of
Climate protection: Enjoy your foodTo live well, you must eat well. Agriculture, however, is one of the worst climate criminals. To reconcile good taste with good food, consider organic and regional products. Switzerland is leading the way.
the country’s agricultural area. Regional organic products are
predominantly sold by supermarkets, direct marketers and
specialist shops. Basically, the only items that are imported
cannot be sufficiently produced by Swiss organic farmers,
such as coffee and corn. Import is permitted only if all domes-
tic production is marketed. Processing also happens mostly in
Switzerland.
Customers take advantage of organic labels
Countless regional organic products go over the counter in
Switzerland. If you value naturalness and taste, you are spoilt
for choice. With the aid of labels, products are marked so that
customers are certain about quality and origin. One of the most
famous marks is the bud from Bio Suisse, the governing body
of Swiss agricultural enterprises. The big supermarket Coop
runs its own line, Naturaplan, and in the process supports the
sale and distribution of seasonal organic fruit and vegetables.
Then there is Delinat, the first enterprise to specialise in trading
organic wine. What started as a small niche in the market is
now worth millions. Delinat is the top dog.
Organic is not just about having a good conscience. It also
tastes better. Tests from the Research Institute for Organic
Agriculture - a network of institutes in Switzerland, Austria
and Germany - show, for example, that organic apples con-
tain more vital substances than traditionally produced apples.
Because of careful production methods that avoid chemical-
Gina Domanig founded Emerald Technology Ventures in Zurich in
2000. The fund, formerly SAM Private Equity, is the first independ-
ent Cleantech venture capital fund in Europe. Prior to Emerald, Gina
was senior vice president at Sulzer, a Swiss multinational. Emerald
has managed three venture capital funds and two portfolio mandates
totaling over 450 million USD.
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
16 17
Investing in Cleantech was a niche when you started. Is
it still one?
Gina Domanig: When we started back in 2000, it was certainly
a niche. It existed under the label of ‹sustainable investment›
until the term ‹Cleantech› was born. It slowly started to gather
the interest of the corporate sector, but in the beginning it was
more PR than reality. In recent years, we’ve seen really big cor-
porates putting a lot of money behind their cleantech strate-
gies, however. Cleantech serves very large existing markets
now. It is not a niche anymore.
What is Cleantech for you? Where are you investing?
You can stamp different sectors with this label. For us, it means
focusing on industrial technologies, primarily energy. It follows
from generation to storage and efficiency. It covers water tech-
nology. We also invest in materials technology.
How do you choose companies for your investments?
First, we look at market opportunities and value proposition,
including competitive advantage. Then we look at the man-
agement. Ninety per cent of our attention concerns these top-
ics. The remaining 10 per cent is around the terms of the deal.
Where do you obtain your money?
We get about a third from large corporations that have a very
strong interest in a window on new technologies. They include
companies like Dow Chemical, DSM, Unilever and Volvo. Two-
thirds comes from institutional investors, like pension funds
and financial institutions.
Many countries have green stimulus packages. Are you
expecting a boost for Cleantech companies?
It is still very regional. Right now, we are taking advantage of
the incentives in place in the US to build manufacturing facili-
ties. This is great for companies located in the US. In Germany,
you always had strong support mechanisms for companies
that went into the Eastern part of the country. Feed-in tariffs
for renewable energies also created market demand, like, for
example, the new FIT scheme in the Province of Ontario in
Canada for solar technologies.
China and Korea are offering significant incentives. Will
Cleantech move to the East?
China is announcing big investments under such programmes
on a daily basis. The country is very good in deploying technol-
ogies, for instance, in solar and wind. But they are using mainly
Western technology. We have ben-
efited from these programmes.
China also has strong incentives to
manufacture locally. In many cases,
you can bring your cost structure
down when you locate parts of your
value chain in China. However, the
country has not been too strong in
technology innovation.
Will you invest in the East?
We could. Until now, our focus has
been on North America and Eu-
rope. We have a very strong built-in
technology focus. The majority of
the companies which develop new
technologies are not in China.
Do you expect a bubble in green investment?
There will be little bubbles but they will not cover the entire
Cleantech sector. There have been quite a number of bubbles
already. Take bioethanol. Something very similar happened to
solar. Those who know these industries saw the bubbles com-
ing. Unfortunately, less-informed money chases these hot top-
ics. It is a trap we like to avoid.
Is Zurich a good place for your line of business?
Cleantech opportunities are scattered throughout Europe and
North America. Switzerland has a great research culture and
base for technology development. About half of our team has
a technical background – both academic and industrial experi-
ence. Quite a few have studied at the ETH Zurich. So it is a
good place to recruit people, it is a good place to live, and it
has a good airport.
Steffen Klatt
Big Boosts, Little BubblesCleantech needs informed investors, especially as stimulus packages around the globe are expected to increase opportunities—as well as potential bubbles—in the sector, at least regionally, says Cleantech investment expert Gina Domanig. As those opportunities and challenges unfold, she adds, Switzerland is a good place to be headquartered for venture capital funds investing in Cleantech.
Hofstetter Umwelttechnik AG - Swiss gas combustion technology
Since 1975 Hofstetter Umwelttechnik AG has engineered and constructed plants for the treat-
ment of emissions from combustible gases. Their design, planning, development and construction of plants for the handling of
landfill, biogas and off-gas is reputed worldwide. A wide range of customised products, together with specialised know-how in the
combustion, safety technique and explosion protection sectors, ensure an ability to meet the most demanding of customer require-
ments.
Due to Hofstetter’s qualified international sales network, direct contact is possible
at short notice. A flexible organisation, a motivated team, modern equipment, plus
a highly developed understanding of quality, guarantees safety and reliability.
Today over 2›000 plants worldwide are working successfully.
Hofstetter Umwelttechnik AG
Münchringenstrasse 12 Contact person:
CH-3324 Hindelbank Bernhard Fröhlich, Area Sales Manager
www.hofstetter-uwt.ch [email protected]
fon +41 (0)34 411 86 43
fax +41 (0)34 411 86 10
ETH Zurich – the outstanding Swiss University
Ranked the top university in continental Europe, ETH Zurich – the Swiss Federal Institute of
Technology – is a leading player in research and education worldwide. It offers the most advanced infrastructure on two campuses in
Zürich, one of the highly attractive cities worldwide.
ETH Zurich offers degree programs in natural sciences, engineering, architecture, management and technology. Bachelor programs
are taught in German, Master and doctoral programs are in English. An ETH degree combines a solid scientific foundation with out-
standing application skills. ETH graduates are well equipped for careers in industry, as entrepreneurs or scientists. 3’500 of the 15’000
students work towards their PhD and contribute to the exceptional research and innovation performance of ETH.
ETH Zurich’s strategic themes include the basic sciences and engineering, life sciences and materials science, biosystems science
and engineering, environmental and sustainability sciences, as well as design sci-
ences and sustainable future cities. With this research and teaching portfolio, ETH
Zurich lays the foundation for the future CleanTech economy.
While strongly rooted in Switzerland, in the heart of Europe, the global perspective,
the high degree of internationalization and the excellent teaching and research in-
frastructure make ETH Zurich the ideal place for creative personalities.
ETH Zürich
Rämistrasse 101 Contact person:
CH-8092 Zürich Thomas Schaller, Head Corporate Communications
www.ethz.ch [email protected]
fon +41 44 632 83 90
fax +41 44 632 35 25
Small is beautiful
Particularly in times of climate change and globalisation, small units
with strong environment factors can excel. The „small is beautiful“
philosophy often benefits smaller stavtes and trends to regionalisation
where strong human relations emerge as a central focus of daily life.
In the international studies Global Peace Index (Switzerland: 18th
place; USA: 83rd place) and the UNO’s Human Development Report
(Switzerland: 9th place; USA: 13th place), small European nations are
a length ahead, showing how planning is crucial to ensuring a good
quality of life.
into Switzerland. „Quality of life is one of the central arguments, if
an expert is unsure whether to accept a job in Switzerland,“ says
Baldwin. Companies that choose their locations exclusively for tax
benefits also run the danger of experiencing vast fluctuations with
their employees. That could prove to be more expensive than mon-
ey saved. Many companies have now recognised this dynamic. For
example, 1,600 companies pay Mercer significant sums of money
to access the data acquired in the firm’s study.
Children profit from a sound environment
You don’t need to look long for the answer to the question why
quality of life, and particularly a sound environment, is increasing in
significance for employers. Benno Seiler, an economy conveyor in
Zurich, observed: „The right surrounding for the family is often the
decisive factor for a top manager. Apart from being an ideal region
for children, the hours spent outside of the office are also given
more importance.” The bicycle dealer Peter Brügger from central
Switzerland has many customers from various boardrooms: „Par-
ticularly managers of all ages are keen mountain bikers“, he says.
He views biking as the kind of special kick key players are looking
for.
Innovation needs tranquillity and dynamism
Education and innovation are central issues in globalisation. In this
area, Switzerland can boast about the world famous institute of
the confederate technical college (ETH in German). Regions like,
for example, the Rhine Valley bordering Austria, attract world-
class scientists and engineers with the motto „Work where oth-
ers go on holiday“. The Rhine Valley – including St. Gallen, Chur
and Buchs as well as international technology concerns like Leica
Geosystems – was ranked in ninth place in a European ranking of
educational clusters. The Swiss recruiting expert Erich Mosberger
finds that the region can take on other college locations worldwide:
„Smart heads look for peaceful places in a good setting, which is
still dynamic. The Rhine Valley offers an idyllic place which is still
high-tech.” He never has to look long for suitable people to fill lead-
ing positions.
Yvonne von Hunnius
almost as important as the country’s fiscal environment. Top
managers have high expectations for leisure, cultural diversity
and social infrastructure, the study finds. In short, soft facts
are becoming hard facts. The futurologist Andreas Reiter for-
mulates it clearly: „The gap between winner and loser regions
is getting bigger. Soft factors are increasingly dominating the
competition for locations in the fight for investors and talent.”
The connection between prospering economies and general
happiness is being researched intensely. One thing is certain:
more people associate happiness, rather than wealth, with a
sound environment.
Switzerland high up on the list
Regardless of potentially subjective rankings that one might
mistrust or deem reliable, Switzerland is hard to beat. A life
centred in Zurich, Geneva or Bern is among the most desired
in the world. For eight years, Zurich was at the top of the re-
nowned study into quality of life by the consulting firm Mercer,
which analyzed conditions in 215 big cities worldwide. This
year, Zurich was in second place behind Vienna. Geneva and
Bern were also in the top ten. In their annual study into qual-
ity of life, consultants from ECA also examined living relations
in over 400 locations. Bern and Basel find themselves in the
best five cities in 2009. Mira Pathak of ECA International says:
„Environment factors, like the quality of air, play an important
role for the quality of life and in this point the Swiss cities are
some of the best.”
The quality of life is a striking argument
In practice, these aspects and rankings are increasingly in-
volved in business strategies. Robert Baldwin from Network
Relocation helps international companies bring employees
In the summer of 2009, McDonalds moved its European head-
quarters to Switzerland. This is not the only international com-
pany that appreciates life in the Alps. Google has moved its
most modern research institute outside the United States to
Zurich. The staff executive there, Randy Knaflic, describes the
city’s advantages clearly: „Of course, tax issues play an impor-
tant role, particularly when you want to attract experts who pay
up to 50 percent of their wages to the fiscal system in neigh-
bouring countries. But in my opinion, you should look at the
comparison differently. I lived in New York City for nine years.
I had a wonderful apartment there, but when I woke up in the
morning and looked out the window, I could wave to my neigh-
bours. Here, I wake up and look out onto the mountains.”
Soft facts become hard facts
In the last ten years, 180 foreign companies have chosen
Switzerland as the location for their headquarters. 96 of those
companies are among the largest worldwide, according to the
Forbes-2000 list. Why? A current study from the Swiss Holding
organisation suggests that infrastructure and soft factors are
The economy has to live healthilyIn times of climate change and globalisation, quality of life becomes a central factor in the economy. Location counts more than ever in the fight for investors and talent, with desirable sites providing not only tax benefits, but also sound nature and safe living conditions.
Willy Bischofberger is joint-CEO of the Swiss Energy Pool PLC. The
Swiss service company works together with about 60 Swiss energy
providers. Among other duties, it produces forecasts for energy pro-
duction, deals with network bookkeeping and passes on data.
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
20 21
How we ensure that all energy
providers are paid for their pro-
duction?
The respective local network pro-
vider regularly measures the amount
of energy produced, like with all other
customers, and logs it in a new na-
tional databank on the Internet. Eve-
ry plant operator must be regularly
compensated, with these production
amounts multiplied by the respective
subsidy rates per system.
Which further services are need-
ed for smooth supplies?
There are basically three necessary
services. First, contract management,
which concludes an energy takeover contract with all plant
operators; second, a central forecast of production amounts
in order to minimise balancing energy costs; and third, an ef-
ficient invoicing service that charges the many market actors
and consumers with the transferred energy.
How does the Swiss Energy Pool PLC work?
The Swiss Energy Pool PLC is responsible for exactly these
services in the Swiss market. This task was assigned by the
Federal Office for Energy (BFE in German), because, as an in-
dependent service provider, it is sufficiently competent in infor-
mation technology and the energy market to efficiently carry
out these manifold processes. Based on current objectives, it
will grow into the biggest green energy hub in Switzerland for
new renewable energies over the next few years.
Steffen Klatt
Taming the wind and the sunRenewable energies make high demands on the national grid, as the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind also takes a break occasionally. Predicting the fluctuations of erratic energy sources is crucial to ensuring continual power supplies, according to Willy Bischofberger from the Swiss Energy Pool PLC.
More and more energy is being made from renewable
energies. What does this mean for the national grid?
Willy Bischofberger: Basically, shifting transportation routes.
For large volumes, this means a geographical and temporal
shift of energy production according to the times when and
places where renewable primary energies flow (water, wind and
solar) and how much production of heat connected with ener-
gy production is needed (biomass and geothermal energy).
Wind doesn’t always blow; the sun only shines in the day.
How can the grid ensure that energy is available at all
times?
Thanks to good production forecasts. The amount of energy
production from renewable energies has to be predicted by 10
am every day, as exactly as possible, for every quarter of an
hour in the following day.
As renewable energy takes priority, it means that output from
other power plants must be limited at respective times, ac-
cording to our predictions. In the event of short-term devia-
tions from predictions, the network provider makes expensive
balancing energy available.
Obviously, this expensive balancing of energy can best be
avoided by improving the quality of predictions. Thanks to
continual optimisation, the balancing energy costs were re-
duced from 25 percent in the first few months to between
1 percent and 2 percent of total energy costs.
How can energy production be predicted accurately?
Thanks to three cleverly thought-out models. First, with a roll-
out procedure. This is particularly suitable for biomass and
geothermal energy, which are independent of the weather. Due
to years of experience and intelligent cooperation processes
with the plant operators and heat users, we can make very
accurate predictions.
Second, with linear and non-linear stochastic prediction mod-
els that are particularly suited for weather-dependent systems
(water, wind, solar). What is decisive are the models as well as
the experience to recognise which production amounts are in
linear or non-linear connection with weather predictions – tem-
perature, rainfall, wind speed and direction, global radiation.
Third, prediction precision is improved thanks to grouping the
predictions nationally, because positive and negative predic-
tion deviations of separate plants can balance each other out.
KRT Kanalrenovationen AG
KRT develops and designs special systems for sewerage renovation using pipe relining and renovation robots. We have the Know-
how and capability to plan and carry out sewerage renovation.
KRT Kanalrenovation AG KRT Sewer Rehabilitation Technology FZE
Luzernerstrasse 19 Saif-Zone Office Y08
CH-6204 Sempach P-O. Box 9353
fon +41 41 462 71 33 Sharjah
Mobil +41 292 30 50 United Arab Emirates
[email protected]; www.krtag.ch
Contact person: Hansruedi Petermann
Your partner for Connectivity SolutionsThe HUBER+SUHNER Group is a leading global supplier of components and systems for elec-
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Our customers in Communications, Industrial and Transportation markets appreciate that we are specialists with detailed knowledge
of practical applications. We offer technical expertise in radio frequency technology, fiber optics and low-frequency under one roof,
thus providing a unique basis for continual innovation focused on the needs of our customers all over the world.
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be implemented with HUBER+SUHNER systems in a continuous and non-polluting way.
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fax +41 (0)71 353 44 44 P.O.Box 75843 Dubai (United Arab Emirates) [email protected]
[email protected] fon +971 4 81 35 35 – 0; fax +971 4 81 35 35 – 1
www.hubersuhner.com [email protected]
ABB is building an energy network of the future
In a project together with the Scandinavian supply company Fortum,
ABB is developing an intelligent power network for a new district in
Stockholm. The Royal Seaport will comprise 10,000 flats and 30,000
offices. “With regard to size, this is a considerable advance on the way
to a more intelligent and flexible local power network that integrates
decentralised and renewable energy sources, and helps us to realise
the vision of sustainable cities”, says Bazmi Husain, director of the
ABB Smart Grid initiative. Fossil energy sources are to be completely
eliminated in the seaport by 2030.In the process, local energy pro-
duction and a more flexible responsive energy network play a signifi-
cant role. ABB and Fortum are thereby developing different solutions
to optimally control the energy flow. The Swiss-Swedish ABB leads
the way in automation and energy technology. The enterprises of the
ABB-group are active in around 100 countries and have more than
120,000 employees worldwide.
of energy available are also now viewed as a crucial factor in
the mix. A refrigerated warehouse could function as a tempo-
rary storage, for example. If there is surplus energy available,
the warehouse will be cooled down. This stored energy in the
form of coldness could recycled later via a heat exchanger if
necessary. The process could also work the other way around.
If there is little energy available, the refrigerated warehouse
would be cooled as little as possible. This unneeded energy
could then be sold, on the spot market, for a profit. Even the
batteries of future electric cars could take over as temporary
storage units – and earn money for owners.
However, with current transmission networks, which are purely
analogous, this back-and-forth is not possible. The problem
doesn’t lie with the network itself, but with the information ex-
changes at decisive interfaces. “We need a lot more informa-
tion in real time, in order to control such networks automati-
cally”, says Moser. “Smart Grid” is the first solution to currently
work on paper. It will be a network where all necessary infor-
mation is always available for the respective market players.
And it could be a network that draws an arrow from wind-rich
northern Europe to the Sahara Desert, where pumped storage
hydro power plants in the Alps, together with new forms of
storage, such as hydrogen storage units, could play a decisive
role.
This dream is still a long way off, of course. “It will need an
internationally coordinated course of action in research and
implementation”, says Moser. “Switzerland is willing, and the
Swiss research institutes here have considerable potential.”
Urs Fitze
um-sized power stations, rather than just a few large power
stations, are expected to ensure the majority of electricity pro-
duction.
Multitude of small provider
Today’s “static” networks are not equipped for the demands of
a considerably larger number of energy providers. While river
and nuclear power stations primarily provide range perform-
ance for the moment, and hydro power plants serve as batter-
ies to flexibly provide both peak and standby power, the elec-
tricity mix of the future will be much broader. “Above all, the
relative proportion of electricity production, which can provide
desired capacity within seconds at the push of a button, will
sink”, says Moser. Instead, wind turbines will only run at full-
throttle when wind conditions are good. The same applies for
photovoltaic energy production, which can be limited accord-
ing to the weather conditions and turned off at night. Other
plants, however, for example wood or biomass power plants,
could by all means take over the job as energy providers at
peak periods.
Today`s storage does not suffice
Admittedly, no one can now predict the proportions of these al-
ternative forms of energy and how exactly the future electricity
mix will be put together. One thing is already certain, however.
Today’s capacity is not enough. Now, water-rich countries like
Switzerland can use pumped storage hydro power plants that
contain batteries that form the largest electricity storage units
worldwide. But they are nowhere near enough. More storage
providers are required. To find additional storage, suppliers are
considering alternative forms of production, but large and small
energy consumers who can adjust their demand to the amount
Electrical power systems operate more efficiently than motors
that run on fluid or gaseous fuels. Industries, railways, busi-
nesses and personal homes have been taking advantage of
this superiority for decades. Like in electricity production, ef-
ficiency gains in combined heat and power plants are similarly
immense compared to conventional power stations. On the
road, the electric car could gradually supplant the motor car. At
the same time, renewable energies are going to become con-
Into the future with intelligent networksThe energy of the future will flow through networks where information exchanges make energy streams more efficient. The technical solution: “Smart Grids” and “Smart Meters”.
siderably more important in electricity production in the next
few decades. Water, wind, solar, biogas, wood and geothermal
energy will all play an important role in this shift.
Energy data in real time
What will this future reliance on electricity look like in three to
four decades? The time-honoured mechanical electric meter
will be replaced by “Smart Meters”. These are digital meter
readers that continually provide information on real-time elec-
tricity consumption. You’ll not only know about the consump-
tion of all the electric equipment in your home or office, but
you’ll also report this data to a central energy information net-
work. The means of supply, in other words, will also be an in-
formation network. For example, a refrigerator owners could
use their appliance at full-swing when there is a surplus in the
market and electricity can be obtained more cheaply. Then,
at peak times, it would be turned down automatically. Imple-
mented consistently, the system can expect considerable sav-
ings in energy consumption. Michael Moser, senior manager
in the energy research section at the Swiss federal office for
energy, reckons about 10 to 15 percent energy savings are
possible. The technology is available today.
The considerably bigger challenge will be the organisation of
future power transmission networks between power stations
and consumers. In the future, a multitude of small and medi-
Max Renggli is CEO of Renggli AG in Sursee. Founded in 1923 by
Gottfried Renggli in Schötz, the company now has over 130 employ-
ees and is a market leader in Switzerland for wood construction. No-
table in the area of Minergie-houses, Renggli AG has made a mark as
an international pioneer and standard bearer. Renggli puts into effect
innovative, top-quality wooden constructions in modern architecture
and builds sustainable living and work spaces for the needs of the
2,000 Watt Society. In the process, his supreme maxim is to save
energy, preserve resources and still meet humans’ comfort needs.
Renggli has been awarded numerous prizes for sustainable economic
management.
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MySwitzerland.comWith over 37’000 miles of signposted trails to choose from, Switzerland is the ultimate hiking destination for all. For those enchanted by the breathtaking sight of alpine splendor while enjoying a cheese specialty served in a quaint mountain inn. Or for those who simply delight in the beauty of nature to soothe body and mind. For the best in hiking tips, visit MySwitzerland.com or call us toll-free 1 877 794 8037.
We do whatever it takes to make your hiking vaca-tion perfect.
FLYING, SWISS MADE–SWISS.COM
131_09d_02_ins_world_future_energy 1 12/21/09 1:42:48 PM
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
24 25
How would you define innovation in wood construction?
Max Renggli: For me, innovatio is not always about inven-
tion. Rather, it is an intelligent combination of different ideas
to generate additional value for stakeholders. To be innovative
is also to scrutinise traditions and to create new potential for
the future.
Which innovations have taken hold recently in wood
construction?
Wood construction has gone through a large transition in Swit-
zerland in the last ten years. The industry has succeeded in
finding acceptance in the market for wooden houses again.
Now, even multi-storey buildings are technically possible,
wooden constructions are the forerunners in energy efficiency
and industrial prefabrication allows very short implementation
times.
What are the arguments in favour of wood as a building
material?
Wood is a fantastic building material. It possesses very good
static values, is CO2 neutral and completely recyclable. It also
has very good heat insulation benefits for building houses. It
would be irresponsible not to use wood as a resource, as it
grows outside our doorstep without needing any technical
energy.
Which principles are closest to your heart?
Construction is always about the future and our responsibility
towards future generations – we need to become more con-
scious of how we deal with our resources.
Firstly, it is about choosing resources to provide energy. Solar,
geothermal, water and wind power are available to us in unlim-
ited supply. To invest in fossil fuels is very short-term thinking.
Secondly, it is preferable to use building materials like wood
and stone, which waste little grey energy. These materials
should always be able to flow back into the cycle. We need to
get away from the disposable society.
How far have you come with your company?
When we started, a conventionally built, single-family house
consumed 2,500 litres of fuel on average. Now our houses
don’t consume any fuel at all. Our energy-efficient buildings
cover their minimal energy consumption with renewable ener-
gies. Today, the decisive factor is no longer technology, be-
cause we have enough technology
and knowledge: but we must imple-
ment this correctly, and practise sus-
tainability bit by bit. Acting in an en-
ergy-efficient way means improving
quality of living. If you live in a house
that preserves energy and resources,
you simply feel better.
What is your company actually
doing to promote this thinking
with associates?
We orient ourselves completely to-
wards ecological principles. Sustain-
ability and environmental protection
are deep-seated in Renggli AG’s bu-
siness strategy. In equal measure, we
implement the philosophy of energy-efficient wood construc-
tion for residential houses, entire residential areas and also for
commercial and public constructions.
For this reason, we have garnered national and international
recognition. A lot of our time flows into the business culture
– a culture where people can develop further. It is a matter of
creating an understanding among both employees and cus-
tomers that it is possible to have living space in harmony with
the environment.
Yvonne von Hunnius
Wood pioneer is building highAfter years of swimming against the tide, he has achieved lasting success. Max Renggli, manager of the gener-al contractor and timber construction company Renggli AG, consistently builds to Minergie building standards for energy-efficiency. In Switzerland, he has assumed a pioneering role.
The non-profit foundation myclimate - The Climate Protection Partnership is an international climate protection organisation based in Switzerland.
The Climate Protection Partnership is an international climate protection initiative with Swiss
roots founded in 2002.
myclimate is well-connected globally and promotes the gathering of knowledge about CO2 reduction, raises awareness and inspires
long-term climate protection through its climate education projects. The foundation also draws upon various management tools, such
as CO2 balance sheets, CO2 reporting or a performance-management tool, to provide an optimal basis for climatefriendly decision-
making in businesses. In addition, myclimate promotes carbon neutrality via the principle of voluntary CO2 offsetting.myclimate de-
velops and supports carbon offset projects around the world that directly reduce greenhouse gases and in doing so directly protect
the climate. These projects fulfil the highest standards (CDM, Gold Standard). They not only reduce climate-impacting emissions, but
also contribute to sustainable development in the project regions.
myclimate - The Climate Protection Partnership
Sternenstrasse 12 Contact person
CH-8002 Zürich Kathrin Dellantonio
fon +41 (0) 44 500 43 50 Head of Department, Sales,
fax +41 (0) 44 500 43 51 Marketing and Communications
infomyclimate.org [email protected]
www.myclimate.org/en.html fon +41 (0) 44 500 43 54
fax +41 (0) 44 500 43 51
Daniel Küng is CEO of Osec, the official Swiss foreign trade promot-
er. Among many other activities, Osec regularly organises a Foreign
Trade Forum with globally important personalities like former US Vice
President Al Gore (above right, 2007) and Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke
(above left, 2009).
Switzerland’s trade and investmentpromotion at a glanceThe Swiss Business Hubs - a global network
The Swiss Business Hubs play a central role in Switzerland’s trade and investment promotion activities around the world (www.osec.ch). They are
based in the trade and economic sections of the Swiss representations (Embassies or Consulate Generals) abroad or at Swiss Bilateral Cham-
bers of Commerce. As local centres of expertise, they can be found in major markets around the world. There are currently 16 of these Swiss
Business Hubs in Germany, France, Italy. Austria, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Spain, Poland, Russia, UK, the USA, and in the GCC and ASEAN
regions. The latest Swiss Business Hub started operations in May 2007 in South Africa. Swiss companies seeking advice can either call on the
services of the Swiss Business Hub in combination with monitoring either from an Osec consultant in Zurich, or directly from the local Swiss
Business Hub.
dle East. The SMEs, therefore, enjoy direct access to major
players in the commercial, social, political, scientific and cul-
tural fields. The flexible, transparent and independent infra-
structure enables prompt client-oriented services. A strong
emphasis is put on a close collaboration with partners from
the private sector such as the Swiss Business Councils in Abu
Dhabi and in Dubai and a range of private experts through-
out the region. For this purpose Osec provides private experts
with a unique platform the so called ‹Pool of Experts› database
(www.poolofexperts.com).
Swiss SMEs entering the market of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Qatar, Bahrain & Oman will receive support from the Swiss
Business Hub GCC at every stage in areas such as sourcing
information, feasibility studies, action plans, business plans,
locating business partners and business expansion. A highly
motivated team, with a variety of backgrounds, is looking for-
ward to meeting interested companies.
For further information:
Swiss Business Hub GCC
c/o Consulate General of Switzerland
World Trade Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
fon +971 4 329 09 99
fax +971 4 331 36 79
Comprehensive services
The service range of the Swiss Business Hubs is based on Os-
ec’s «Export Step-by-Step» consulting concept and, among
other things, includes:
• Provision of information on the local market: market re
search, market clarifications and market entry analyses.
• Eliciting business deals in relevant sectors and markets.
• Support in looking lor business partners.
• Assistance in the implementation of trade fair appearances.
• Organisation of business trips.
To complement these consulting services, the Swiss Business
Hubs also team up with a range of relevant private and public
organisations and institutions such as Business Councils and
local Chambers of Commerce. Information about these net-
works is made available to Swiss companies seeking advice.
Point of contact for foreign companies
Foreign companies which are looking for business deals In
Switzerland can also get support from the Swiss Business
Hubs: they can get preliminary information about Swiss com-
panies and products, the Swiss market, and also about estab-
lishing a branch in Switzerland or becomlng the partner of a
Swiss enterprise.
Swiss Business Hub GCC with a variety of services
The ‹Swiss Business Hub GCC› offers to small and medium-
sized enterprises (SME) from Switzerland and Liechtenstein
specific services for strengthening and developing their busi-
ness relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Ara-
bia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain & Oman. Based in Dubai and with
offices in Kuwait, Riyadh and Jeddah (at the respective Swiss
Embassies and Swiss Consulate Generals) the Business Hub
benefits from a widespread network of contacts in the Mid- Swiss Business Hub GCC
26
Why is it important to market Swiss Cleantech abroad?
Daniel Küng: The Cleantech sector is one of most attractive
growth markets in the world. Experts take it for granted that
the Cleantech market will reach a volume of more than USD
900 billion in 2010. Worldwide investment in renewable energy
alone has quadrupled since 2004. Furthermore, Switzerland is
considered abroad as the country that lives environmental pro-
tection and has implemented the processes and laws needed
to do so. On the other hand, there are distinct gaps in the ex-
ploitation of Cleantech potential abroad. Exports of Cleantech
products and services are well below what they could be.
Osec is planning an export platform. Why?
As part of the stabilisation measures to support the export
trade, which we at Osec are putting into practice on behalf
of the Swiss federation, we and the State Secretariat for Eco-
nomic Affairs SECO have come to the view that in promot-
ing foreign trade, much more consideration should be given
to the “Cleantech” sector. This is why the project to establish a
Cleantech export platform came about.
The export platform aims to increase Cleantech exports by
networking companies, by presenting a standard market im-
age (brand) and by actively bringing together foreign demand
and Swiss supply. We are working on the basis that exports
of Cleantech products and services could be considerably in-
creased, because the trade is still very fragmented and many
SMEs fear the cost of exporting.
The Cleantech export platform will network the Cleantech par-
ties involved in Switzerland beyond industry boundaries and
will make use of synergies to create a standard and more ef-
fective image abroad.
Have there already been successes
in Cleantech?
The fact that a “Cleantech” export plat-
form is needed is demonstrated by the
success to date of the eco-town of Mas-
dar City. For more than six months, Osec
has been supporting the Swiss Village
Association (SVA), which is promoting
the establishment of a Swiss quarter in
Masdar near Abu Dhabi. Because of this
support, the SVA has been able to sign
a strategic partnership agreement with
Masdar, which will create export poten-
tial of several hundred million francs for Swiss companies.
Masdar City is a show-piece project – it is the first waste and
CO2 neutral city in the world. Masdar is therefore attracting
the attention of the whole world. If Switzerland is there from
the beginning, then this can only benefit the image of Swiss
Cleantech suppliers. Masdar City is, to a certain extent, also
a touchstone for Swiss Cleantech. If Swiss companies get in
on the ground floor, then we have also created the basis for in-
volvements in other markets. This is why it is very important for
Osec to be present and to point out the appropriate potential
for Swiss companies.
Export Platform for Swiss Cleantech Companies
Comfort and Value combined
Almost 15 million square metres of heated space in new construc-
tions and renovations are now Minergie-certified. 14,214 houses
have the basic Minergie certificate, which means there is an im-
pervious building shell, an efficient heating system, comfort ven-
tilation and other features. In more demanding categories, there
are 481 houses with Minergie-P, 54 with Minergie-Eco and 61 with
Minergie-P-Eco. The unique selling point of the Swiss Minergie
certificate: it integrates comfort and value retention with environ-
ment criteria. The additional aspect of mobility is considered by the
American certifier, Leed.
According to Ernst & Young, sustainable certification will play a de-
cisive role for over half of property investors in the future. Further-
more, it states: “Even in existing properties, investments in sustain-
ability will amortise even more quickly with increasing energy prices
and thanks to value and rental growth in future.”
The biggest Minergie project thus far was commissioned by
the real estate company Avireal two years ago in Zurich Kloten.
Marko Virant, the boss of Avireal AG in Zurich, agreed with
Beyeler. “We have saved half the energy that the first com-
missioned building needed in 1971,” he says. Almost 70,000
square metres of heated space on seven floors is now state-
of-the-art because of Minergie technology.
Minergie is increasing in value
Besides low-running energy costs, Minergie-certified buildings
also increase in value in the long term, an incentive more and
more Swiss people are recognising. In a study done by Zurich
University, buildings were analysed according to their sales
prices. It showed buyers are willing to pay seven percent more
for family houses with a Minergie certificate. One of the rea-
sons for this popularity is an efficient reward scheme. Various
large banks consider mortgages for Minergie constructions to
be more reliable and therefore give Minergie builders a more
preferable interest rate. The Swiss state, depending on the
canton, also warrants comprehensive sponsorships for Min-
ergie constructions.
Flexibility in the choice of means
One of the keys to Mingerie’s success is the ‘Minergie phi-
losophy,’ which provides targets for builders but leaves con-
struction to the respective experts on site. As for heat distribu-
tion, water has proven to be the best alternative. Water can
transport up to 3,500 times as much heat as air, which also
becomes drier as it heats up. With Minergie, the total con-
sumption of non-renewable energy to regulate temperatures,
ventilation and warm water is summarised. Thus, with experi-
ence, more efficient general solutions can be found.
Minergie shines on the international stage
Minergie also compares well with other international certifica-
tions because there is no other standard that is so prevalent
in its own market. Founder Ruedi Kriesi says: “The American
Leed is applied in many countries, but the penetration of the
American market is a hundred times less than that of Miner-
gie. Leed is a shining light with its GreenWave technology, the
German passive house with science and Minergie with the
economy.”
Proof of Minergie’s widespread market appeal can be found in
Switzerland’s second biggest retailer, Coop, which has been
offering Minergie-certified, prefabricated houses since this Au-
tumn at moderate prices. The bait: Coop assumes the heating
costs for the houses for ten years.
Yvonne von Hunnius
Switzerland doesn’t have a desert. Still, pioneers have other
challenges to face here: In summer 2009, the first energy-
autarkic chalet at 3,690 metres above sea level opened with
the Minergie certificate. Up at the Lötschen pass, where only
ibexes are at home, humans now keep their feet warm in a
chalet – without impacting the environment. The operators are
following the example of around 15 percent of Swiss home-
owners. Minergie is the most successful certificate in the world
for sustainable building. Whether for hotels, office blocks or
family homes, Minergie and its graded certificates continually
gain market share.
High-tech in heady heights
In the chalet, Minergie’s three main advantages are clear: it
is unique worldwide in combining energy-efficiency, comfort
and value retention. In addition to an all-around modernisa-
tion, now comprehensive insulation, a co-generation unit with
heat production, solar panels, comfort ventilation, photovoltaic
modules and a wind turbine are being used high above the
Swiss clouds. All these improvements guarantee environmen-
tally friendly energy independence. On top of that, visitors ben-
efit from insulation technology that eliminates draughts. Lastly,
it is almost certain the Lötschen pass chalet will still offer peo-
ple protection in the alpine world in 50 years’ time.
More investment is quickly amortised
One of Minergie’s founders, Ruedi Kriesi, explains that Min-
ergie’s success derives predominantly from its appeal to
residents, investors and the environment. “Since the resident
also benefits from additional comfort, I don’t need to demand
a premium for the environment, but instead I can sell him an
advantage. That makes it possible to incorporate industry, be-
cause it is easy to do business with Minergie.”
Minergie-certified buildings cost two to ten percent more than
non-certified structures. But Franz Beyeler, manager of the
Minergie association, has had a positive experience with those
additional expenses. “Because of the low-energy consump-
tion alone, the additional costs are amortised after about seven
years,” he says.
Happiness at home begins with Minergie
The most successful certificate in the world for sustain-able building comes from Switzerland: Minergie guaran-tees energy efficiency, comfort and value retention. But it still allows builders the freedom to be their best.
More information on www.minergie.ch
Gilbert Ligner is the Head of Global Operations of Environmental
Safety and Testing Services in Ciba Expert Services. Ciba, headquar-
tered in Basel, is part of the German chemical company BASF. Ciba
Expert Services offers independent knowledge in a wide range of in-
dustries.
www.cibaexportservices.com
30 31
reduction of either waste or carbon
emissions or both.
Your company has its roots in the
chemical industry. What can you
offer chemical companies?
It is no secret; after the steel and ce-
ment industry, the chemical industry
produces a considerable amount of
emissions. That’s why it is so impor-
tant that they fully commit to reduc-
ing these emissions.
With our expertise, we can demon-
strate to chemical companies, and
also companies from other indus-
tries, where and how they can op-
timise their processes and thus do
more for climate protection.
What contribution can new materials make towards re-
source efficiency in general?
Thanks to material innovation, it is possible today to reduce
environment impacts. There are materials that need less en-
ergy even when being produced and others that are lighter
and therefore consume less energy – when being transported,
for example. That is why more and more car parts traditionally
made of steel are being replaced by synthetic materials. Gen-
erally speaking, using more efficient materials can contribute
to the reduction of costs.
Yildiz Asan
You advise international companies in environment pro-
tection and safety. How seriously do companies take
the environment these days?
Gilbert Ligner: Basically, there are two types of companies.
Some only do enough to fulfil the minimal legal requirements.
Others go further and take measures to protect the environ-
ment and prepare for the future. This second group prepares
itself in good time for foreseeable legal changes and takes
action accordingly in its own business. Equally, they thereby
benefit from the fact that, apart from saving running expenses,
they also improve their image.
How can companies increase their efficiency in con-
suming energy and resources?
There are various possibilities here. As a service provider, we
first analyse how the company is doing with regards to envi-
ronmental protection. We basically assess if all legal require-
ments have already been implemented and determine if the
business has set any further environment targets.
If there are such targets, then we help the customer with pro-
fessional advice. By using software-supported simulations,
which work out energy consumption or waste flows, for in-
stance, we quickly assessed where changes need to be ap-
plied. On the basis of this data, the main environmental effects,
aims and programmes for the continual improvement of the
company’s protection of the environment can be analysed and
developed.
What role can Ciba Expert Services play in this?
The requirement for functional environmental management is
comprehensive knowledge of the environmentally relevant as-
pects of the company. Our experts support companies in de-
termining these aspects. The structure of responsibilities and
the legal conformity of processes and procedures are com-
piled systematically and recorded in a report. Then our advis-
ers draw out schemes that lead to the continual improvement
of environment rating.
Where have Ciba Expert Services helped to improve ef-
ficiency?
We have examined the consumption of resources in phar-
maceutical and chemical companies, for example. Then we
asked ourselves the question: “What does a manufacturing
facility generate in emissions and waste when making a prod-
uct?” The next step was to introduce measures that led to the
Efficiency helps to sink costsUsing energy and raw materials efficiently is in every company’s interest. This approach helps reduce costs and, at the same time, improves one’s corporate image. Ciba Expert Services supports companies worldwide in their quest to enjoy the many benefits of reducing their environment impact.
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
3S Industries AG - Leading Technology for Solar Energy 3S Industries AG is the world’s leading provider of manufacturing solutions for Photovoltaic Solar Mod-
ules. With its three subsidiaries, Somont, 3S Swiss Solar Systems, and Pasan, 3S Group counts on
in-house expertise in all key technologies of module manufacturing. With the automatic string soldering
machines from Somont, the laminating lines from 3S Swiss Solar Systems and the testers from Pasan,
customers around the globe produce solar modules whose performance, useful life, quality and output match the highest demands.
The range encompasses individual machines as well as turnkey production lines with varying degrees of automation. Production
installations from the solar concern guarantee stable, reliable processes, a high throughput and outstanding product quality with low
wastage and high up-times.
At a glance:
• Turnkey production lines • String-soldering and Lay-up equipment • Laminating lines
• Cell testers, sorters • Module testers • Know-how transfer • Certification Support
3S Industries AG Contact person:
Schachenweg 24 Dr. Anja Knaus, Head of Corporate Communications
CH-3250 Lyss fon +41 (0)32 391 11 11
www.3-s.com [email protected]
Meyer Burger Technology Group - The expert in photovoltaic
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd is a leading supplier of hightech slicing and automation systems for wafer
production and of measuring and handling systems for cell production.
The machines, competences and technologies of the different companies in the group are used in the
solar industry (photovoltaics), semi-conductor and optical industry. The thinnest wafers made from silicon,
sapphire or other crystals are required in these three markets to manufacture solar modules, switching
circuits or high-performance LEDs. The group’s core competences are made up of a whole range of production processes, machines
and systems that are used within the value chain in the manufacture of high quality wafers. The comprehensive range of products
is complemented by a worldwide service network with wear and tear parts, consumables, re-grooving service, process know-how,
servicing, after-sales service, training and other services. As a globally active company, the group is represented in Europe, Asia and
North America in the respective key markets.
Meyer Burger has its headquarters and the production facility of Meyer Burger Ltd in Switzerland, while the group companies, Meyer
Burger Automation GmbH, Hennecke Systems GmbH and and AMB Apparate + Maschinenbau GmbH, have their headquarters
and production facilities in Germany. Diamond Technologies Inc. has its headquarters in Colorado Springs, USA. The group also has
subsidiaries and own service centres in Germany, Norway, China and Japan, which all are represented by its own staff on-site.
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
Postal address: Invoice adress: Contact person:
Allmendstrasse 86 Grabenstrasse 25 Werner Buchholz
CH-3600 Thun CH-6340 Baar [email protected]
[email protected] www.meyerburger.ch fon +41 33 439 05 06; fax +41 33 439 05 10
We want your computer
Worn out computers and TVs are taken back free of charge in Switzer-
land. Since 1994, when buying an electric device, the consumer has
also paid for its disposal, with the advanced recycling fee – 7 US dol-
lars for a computer, 7 US cents for a mobile phone. Switzerland was
the first country where electronic devices could be given back to the
retailer for free in this manner. This is a recipe for success, according
not only to the eight Swiss recycling companies, but also to the en-
vironment organisation Greenpeace. Now, 85 percent of devices are
disposed of professionally in this way. Toxic parts, such as television
tubes containing lead, or batteries containing cadmium, are removed
manually. Whatever is valuable is reused, including copper, iron and
nickel. The only Achilles’ heel is the mobile phone, of which only 15
percent are re-used. Recyclers are very interested in mobile phones,
as they contain rare materials like indium.
32
could be deposited safely. That was the equivalent to “revo-
lutionising the waste industry”, says Hans-Peter Fahrni, head
of the department for waste and raw materials at the federal
environment office. Practical implementation of those goals
needs time, however. Still, the result from the past 20 years
is impressive. Since the year 2000, no more urban waste has
been deposited directly in landfills. About half is burnt in Swit-
zerland’s 29 waste incineration plants, and the energy released
in the process creates electricity or heat. The terrible polluters
have become power stations.
These power stations produce both electricity and heat. Waste
produced 1400 GWh of electricity in 2008, roughly double what
it produced only ten years ago. But it is still a minor source of
electricity, satisfying only 4,4 percent of Swiss electricity de-
mand. However, waste is the main source for district heating in
Switzerland. It delivered 2900 GWh in 2008.
The key to the success of the new waste model was bringing
in the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Charging money for each rub-
bish bag has considerably contributed to record recycling lev-
els for glass and paper. Production processes were designed
to be more environmentally friendly and problematic materials,
like mercury, have been eliminated. Disposal solutions tailored
to specific conditions have been de-
vised for various waste types. Thus,
for aluminium cans, plastic drinks
bottles or electronic devices, there
is an advanced voluntary disposal
charge that is added to new prod-
ucts’ price tags, while state-enacted
fees are levied for waste glass. The
system has proven to be a success.
In the process, the cooperation be-
tween private and state powers has
also been successful, whereby pub-
lic welfare always has priority. For,
according to Hans-Peter Fahrni, “only if the state provides the
general framework, will the regulated treatment of waste be
guaranteed in the long term.”
Optimisation still possible
But it is not for free. The 45 US cents spent everyday per
person for waste management corresponds to the value of
two text messages. Today, after two decades of large invest-
ments, the costs per person are back to a level below that at
the end of the 1980s. Despite the waste system’s considerable
progress, now is not the time for it to rest its laurels. Future
challenges won’t be won’t be about increasing efficiency, but
rather expanding the operational sphere of the waste industry
to the entire life cycle of a product. Only this way can we fur-
ther reduce the strain on our resources without affecting our
quality of life.
Urs Fitze
tories that apply to about two-thirds of Swiss communities and
towns. The contracts dampen the effects of price fluctuations
in the wastepaper market, says Bukowiecki. Wastepaper and
cardboard recycling is a success story: producers recycle 77.2
percent of the approximate 1.65 million tonnes of waste pa-
per accumulated annually. That rate is all the more astonishing
since, in Switzerland’s typically federal approach, practically
every community has its own disposal route. Sometimes, par-
ticularly in rural areas, dedicated clubs or schools collect the
wastepaper. Sometimes it’s the city removal service. Some-
times it’s a private contractor who collects wastepaper on the
council’s behalf.
“Revolutionising the waste industry”
The success story started a quarter of a century ago. At that
time, special waste was deposited without serious constraints,
recycling reusable waste was in its early stages, and waste
incineration plants were terrible polluters. From the mid-1980s,
waste disposal reoriented itself. It could no longer be only as
cheap as possible. It had to be environmentally sustainable
as well. Waste was to be either recycled or treated so that it
The financial crisis has impacted the Swiss waste industry.
“We were quite used to fluctuations already, but there has nev-
er been a collapse like this,” says Martin Baltisser, manager of
the organisation of steel, metal and paper recycling (VSMR).
Baltisser says prices were still hitting record highs in summer
2008. Then the market plummeted. When the crisis came,
customers could barely get rid of scrap. With wastepaper, it
wasn’t much better. “We are in the middle of the worst crisis for
at least 20 years”, says wastepaper trader Daniel Griesser, a
member of the VSMR board. However, Baltisser still harbours
no fears about future prospects for the private waste industry
in Switzerland. “For the recycling branch in general, I still see a
positive outlook in the middle and long term.”
“Everything running as usual”
Thus far, the difficult situation has barely touched waste supply
chains from personal homes, industry and trade. Low-value
wastepaper is still being collected, for example. “Everything
continues to run as usual”, reports Alex Bukowiecki, manager
of the communal infrastructure organisation. The maintenance
of demand lies in long-term removal contracts with paper fac-
Waste is valuableEveryday, the Swiss waste industry costs around 45 US cents per person. The gains are significant: about half of Swiss municipal waste is recycled. As a result, the environment impact of waste has dropped considerably.
Claude Béglé is president of the board of directors of the Swiss
Post.
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
34 35
Is the Post a green company?
Claude Béglé: As one of the biggest transport and logistics
companies, the Post knows that it has a social duty to do
something for the environment. That is why the Swiss Post
has defined sustainability as one of its company values.
So how does the Post implement sustainability?
We have joined the climate protection programme of PostEu-
rop, a European postal company association that obliges its
members to reduce their carbon emissions by 10 percent be-
tween 2007 and 2012. In 2000, we defined environment tar-
gets for 2010 that are oriented to the SwissEnergy programme.
They are more ambitious than the Kyoto Protocol.
How are you doing with these targets?
Since 2000, we have managed to reduce our carbon emissions
by around 10 percent. For example, we set to reduce heat by
10 percent, and we have surpassed that. Our water consump-
tion has decreased by more than 40 percent, even though we
only aimed to stabilise that level in 2000. Since 2008, we have
been drawing 100 percent of our electricity from water power.
And where are there some difficulties?
We sought to reduce petrol consumption by 8 percent, despite
how we are constantly expanding our post van network of
more than 10,000 kilometres. We will probably fail to reach this
target. However, you have to consider that, with the expansion
of this public transport service, we create the possibility for pri-
vate people to do without their cars. We have also converted to
electric scooters and gas vans to deliver letters and packages.
And 80 percent of the kilometres driven by our fleet of about
2,000 post vans in 2008 were with particle filter vehicles.
More than 10 years ago, you named so-called environ-
ment coordinators. What do they do exactly?
We have an environment coordinator in every area. He analy-
ses which measures can be taken to make our business ac-
tivity more ecologically sustainable. The effects and costs of
the measures are compared and the best solutions are imple-
mented. This is decisive, as sustainability is a vast concept but
it is best made up with many small pieces.
Can you give an example here?
We determined how our employees get to work and established
that, in total, they commute 1.3 million kilometres daily, half by
car. So we made the general subscription for the SBB (Swiss
train network) 20 percent cheaper for
our employees. The 1,600 trainees
throughout Switzerland even get it
for free. The half-fare travel card is
free for all Post personnel.
The Post is active in 23 countries.
What can other transport and lo-
gistics companies learn from the
Post?
We prove that it is possible to live
and breathe sustainability and still
be profitable. For example, energy
efficient buildings are worth it in the
long run. It pays off not just to build
cheaply for the moment, but to think
long-term. In countries like Switzer-
land, where a large proportion of en-
ergy is produced with water, it is sensible to turn to electric ve-
hicles. That could also be a good idea for southern countries,
where the sun can be used as a source of energy.
Even in countries where there is an abundance of oil?
Yes, oil will not last forever. We have to look for alternatives
now, not just because of the greenhouse effect.
Can the Post really afford this ecological sustainability?
Yes, sustainability is a moral duty for the Post. We are not just
a company that has to be efficient and profitable. We are a part
of Switzerland. We are expected to set a good example both
economically and ecologically, and with good reason. Besides,
you can already save money with sustainability, and it will be
even easier to do so in the future.
Will the Post join Swiss Cleantech, which aims to make
Switzerland a pioneer in the Cleantech sector?
The Post is very interested and welcomes this organisation,
just like the economy minister, Doris Leuthard. We have not yet
decided on whether we will become a member.
Markus Binder
Sustainability brings efficiencyAn efficient economy needs efficient postal services. In this regard, the Swiss Post is an important pillar of the Swiss economy. It focuses on efficiency and sustainability, rather than simply providing a cheap service.
« We prove that it is possible to live and breathe sustainability and still be profitable. »About Oerlikon Solar
Oerlikon Solar offers field proven equipment and end-to-end manufacturing lines for the mass
production of thin film silicon solar modules. Engineered to reduce device cost and maximize
productivity, its end-to-end solutions are fully automated, high yield, high uptime, and low maintenance.
The production lines are complete systems, yet modular and upgradeable in both throughput and process technology. As a global
leader in thin film PV technology, the company provides its customers with extensive experience in both amorphous and high-effi-
ciency Micromorph® tandem technology.
Oerlikon Solar is ranked “global number one solar turnkey line supplier” by VLSI and has been named winner of the 2009 CELL
AWARD for the ”best technical product for thin film module manufacturing” as well as winner of the 2009 Solar Industry Award.
Oerlikon Solar is headquartered in Switzerland, has over 750 employees in 13 locations world wide and maintains sales and service
centers in the USA, Europe and China, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Japan.
For more information, please visit www.oerlikon.com/solar
Swiss Art Gate UAE - FZE - Building bridges among cultures by ensuring their individual values and traditions.
Swiss Art Gate UAE aims to foster and promote dialogue and mutual understanding across different seg-
ments of society of the Western and the Arab World. Swiss Art Gate UAE was founded in July 2008 as
the first Swiss cultural platform provider in the United Arab Emirates with the aim of planning, organizing
and implementing:
· Cultural exchange programs between the Western and the Arab World
· Public events in the domain of art, culture, education and sports in the UAE
· Corporate events for leading UAE based companies in general
HIGHLIGHTS:
Swiss Art Gate UAE, under the patronage of the Consulate General of Switzerland, initiated the Swiss Days Dubai 2009 which is to
be a regular annual cultural event with highly qualified musicians and performers from Switzerland.
The Formula One photo exhibition ‘F1 Photo Trophies’ with two Swiss F1 photographers, Daniel and Sepp Reinhard, at Emirates
Palace Abu Dhabi was the highlight of the events organised by Swiss Art Gate in 2009. Workshops have been organized at Zayed
University and Higher College of Technologies, Abu Dhabi and the Dar Ibn Al Haytham for Visual Arts, Al Bastakiya, Dubai.
Swiss Art Gate UAE - FZE
Kurt Blum fon +971 7 244 43 14
P.O. Box 450510 Dubai - UAE fax +971 7 244 74 54
www.swissartgateuae.com Mobil +971 50 225 17 83
Car sharing – a success story
Users of public transport sometimes need a car as well. The enterprise
“Mobility” has developed a new model for this. It began in 1987, when
eight people formed a cooperative, and procured a car together. In
1990 there are already 550 people from two cooperatives sharing 39
cars. Ten years later the cooperatives, which call themselves „Mobility
CarSharing Schweiz“ after a new merger, have 100 employees. Today
the enterprise disposes of over 2,250 cars at 1,150 locations in 430
localities in Switzerland. There are ten different car categories on offer,
so that the customer can choose the most appropriate for every trip
purpose. Thanks to modern technology, the Mobility car sharing sys-
tem is easy and fully automated; it works around the clock and there
is self-service via internet or telephone.
36
expected to be in use by the end of 2017. This pioneer work of the 21st
century will lead to a marked improvement in travel and transport possibili-
ties in the heart of Europe. Already in 2007, the Loetschberg base tunnel
from the Bernese Oberland to Valais with a length of 35 kilometres was
opened.
Zurich airport has also achieved world fame. Thanks to its excellent con-
nections, 60 per cent of airline passengers travel to the airport by public
transport. According to the federal department for environment, transport,
energy and communication, this is the third highest figure worldwide.
Climate and environment-friendly
Motorised mobility is energy-intensive. This also refers to the train, bus,
tram or trolley bus. However, with regards to passenger kilometres, the col-
lective forms of transport are far superior to cars and air traffic in their ef-
ficiency. The difference between the regional train and the average car be-
comes more apparent, when one examines the climate intensity instead of
the energy consumed. Referring to CO2, the electric driven vehicles used
in public transport have extremely low effects on the climate. To a large
extent, they consume CO2-free energy from water and nuclear power, but
also electricity from fossil sources in international commutation. The SBB’s
electricity consumption comes 70 per cent from water power, and 30 per
cent from nuclear and fossil power stations.
Public transport in Switzerland is mobility with gold status – and one of the
requirements for Swiss prosperity.
Nathalie Schoch
Mobility with Gold StatusMobility is an important part of modern life. However, it costs space, energy and time. In part, Switzerland’s prosperity is due to its tight-knit network of public transport. It is the country with the highest density of trains throughout the world.
The public transport of Switzerland has a good reputation for
good reason: it conserves the environment, and is safe and af-
fordable. It not only stands out due to its tight-knit cross-linked
synchronised timetables for connecting trains, but also due to
its reliability, punctuality, modern vehicles and transparent pric-
ing. Besides the railway system, the bus network is also well
developed. Post cars go to the most remote spots. The yellow
vehicles, of which there are over 1800, cover a distance equiv-
alent to five earth circumnavigations every day. From Bern you
only need two hours to get to the foot of the Matterhorn.
The Swiss national railways (SBB in German) have expanded
the transport network to about 3,000 kilometres in the last few
years and increased the number of trains to 9,000 per day. In
total the Swiss transport network commands 26,379 kilome-
tres und 26,079 stops, so on average it is one kilometre to
the next stop. The high train density means that there is only
little leeway to expand on capacity. Even for major events,
construction work and disruptions there is barely any back-
up capacity available. The situation is further aggravated as
freight trains have to operate on the same lines. Route turn-
offs without crossroads at important junctions, deconcentra-
tions and additional tracks are therefore absolutely essential
in many places. This is a matter of numerous projects spread
throughout Switzerland, for which parliament has granted a
credit of 5.4 billion Swiss dollars.
The longest tunnel in the world
Also with regards to international connections, the Swiss rail-
way network is linked with neighbouring countries at many
places. For example the north-south railway Basel-Chiasso/
Domodossola which forms an important branch of the trans-
European transport network. And with the AlpTransit Gotthard,
a future-oriented flat railway will emerge through the Alps. The
base tunnel at the Gotthard is the heart of the new rail con-
nection. With 57 kilometres, the longest tunnel in the world is
The train is a clever move: be it a banker, manager, member
of parliament or an employee – in Switzerland professionals
of all different careers use public transport. It is the way to get
to the office or work place faster and more relaxed than going
by car.
Largest train density in the world
On average, every person in Switzerland travels 2,422 kilome-
tres by train per year. The small country thus tops the world
ranking of public transport users; Japan lies in second place
with 2,010 kilometres. This has been confirmed by current data
from Litra, the Swiss information service for public transport.
One of the reasons for this intensive usage is the wide range of
services. Every day, on average more than 93 passenger trains
run on each kilometre of the Swiss train lines. This shows Swit-
zerland to have the largest train density in the world, followed
by Japan with 75 trains. In Europe only Holland comes close
to using its network just as intensively, whilst the German and
the Austrian railways account for nearly 50 passenger trains
per day and network kilometre.
Felix Zurbriggen has been Saas-Fee’s council leader since 2002.
With its 1700 inhabitants, Saas-Fee is one of Switzerland’s best-known
tourist destinations. It lies on a plateau in the Saas Valley at 1,800 me-
tres above sea level, and is surrounded by a dozen mountains over
4,000 metres in height. The highest of these is the Mischabel massif,
which reaches 4,545 metres. Tourism started in Saas-Fee as far back
as in the 19th century, predominantly from English visitors. The first
hotel was opened in 1881, and now there are around 60 hotels. To-
gether the ski pistes come to a length of about 100 kilometres.
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
38 39
Swiss Business Council
The Swiss Business Council (SBC) is a non-profit organisation, licensed by the UAE Chamber
of Commerce & Industry, and established in 2000. The SBC works closely together with the in-
dependently managed branch in Dubai and offers joint membership categories, where members can benefit from broth Council’s
networking platforms. Since its creation, the SBC has been successfully representing the interests and supporting the activities of
companies and individuals connected to the UAE and Switzerland.
The mission of the SBC is to provide a platform which allows international business executives with an interest in Switzerland’s social
or economic environment to identify, asses and develop opportunities related to their bi-lateral activities as well as Swiss entrepre-
neurs and executives to profit from local experiences, networks and synergies.
One of the main objectives of the SBC is to support commercial and personal relationships amongst its members, provide valuable
networking opportunities and to promote economic, social and cultural relations between the UAE and Switzerland.
The SBC is a lively and stimulating forum of diverse interests and has a constantly expanding membership ranging from UAE National
corporations through Swiss multinationals to individual private members.
Swiss Business Council, Abu Dhabi
PO Box 6390 Contact person:
Abu Dhabi Susanne Baumgartner, Executive Director
www.swissbcuae.com fon +971 2 445 82 65
fax +971 2 445 82 66
Swiss International chocolate - The Swiss Chocolatiers of the Dessert
We manufacture freshly hand made Swiss chocolates, made in UAE with lots
of passion, pleasure by Swiss chocolatiers. Our products do feature an Interna-
tional Line called the Classic Line, a more Arabic line called the Taste of Arabia
and a Sugar Free Line called the .DOT line. The Winter Collection which is a limited Edition features
Ginger Bread, Lemongrass and Lime Leaf, Fig and Star Anis as star chocolate flavours. We do cater for
Corporate Clients, Luxury Hotels, Palaces, Airlines, Selected Boutiques and do tailor our products to the
needs of the clients. Regular inventions, creations and Collections are brought on the market to delight
and surprise our clients throughout the year.
Swiss International Chocolates LLC
Al Jazeera Al Hamra
P.O. Box 6485
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
www.chocolat.ae
Contact person:
Daniel Hutmacher, Managing Director
fon +971 7 244 49 84
fax +971 7 244 49 85
The pearl of the Alps does without carsSaas-Fee lives off tourism. The borough in the canton of Wallis near the Italian border fully backed sustainability right at the outset. It has always been free of cars. And the first hotel to fulfill the Swiss Minergie energy standard is in Saas-Fee. Now a district heating system is set to make the place less reliant on oil.
Saas-Fee has been car-free for decades. What have you
experienced from this?
Felix Zurbriggen: Saas-Fee was only connected by road in
1951. At that time, the borough decided to keep the place
free of cars. That was a very wise decision. Our visiting guests
experience something different from what they are used to at
home. It is blissfully quiet here and there is no smell of fumes
in the air. The guests can come right up to the village by car,
and any luggage is then brought into the hotel or chalet with
electromobiles. In Saas-Fee you can easily reach almost eve-
rything on foot, and for larger distances we have a ski-bus.
Is the lack of cars the only example of sustainability?
No, it was merely the foundation. In 1996 Saas-Fee joined the
network of boroughs “Alliance in the Alps”. These boroughs
have got together to implement the aims of the Alps conven-
tion: protection of the natural space and support of sustainable
development in the Alps. In 2001 it became a model for the
environment. Saas-Fee has also been distinguished with the
quality label “Energy city” for employing an ecological energy
policy. We are planning a district heating system with which oil
is to be replaced by wood pellets as a heating fuel. We also try
to sparingly use the limited resource of space, and we limit the
number of secondary residences.
Do the hoteliers contribute to these initiatives?
They go along with it and really help. That’s why the first Min-
ergie hotel in Switzerland is in Saas-Fee: the Hotel Ferienart.
We have also built apartment blocks to Minergie standard. The
public is very aware of topics concerning sustainability.
The Saas Valley is called the pearl of the Alps. Why?
A pearl is surrounded by a shell and the Saas Valley is sur-
rounded by four-thousand-metre high mountains. That must
be the reason for the name.
Is Saas-Fee affected by climate change?
Saas-Fee is quite high up. That is the reason why we have been
more or less spared thus far. However the glaciers in Saas-Fee
are melting more quickly than before. The snow line is also
increasing. We will have to take this into account in future.
Are you increasingly relying on summer tourism?
We have never neglected summer. In future we will be sure to
improve in this area. We will also look to further expand our
winter range.
Where do the guests come from
in Saas-Fee?
A large part comes from Switzerland.
Many others come from Great Brit-
ain, Germany and the Benelux coun-
tries. A smaller number comes from
overseas, Russia and Japan.
Would you like to attract more
guests from the Gulf region?
Yes, that is an interesting segment of
guests that we would like to work on
in future.
At Abu Dhabi the eco-city Masdar
is currently being built, equally car-free and oriented to
sustainable development. Are there any lessons learnt
in Saas-Fee that could be useful to Masdar?
You can always learn from experience. One topic is certainly
how to get by without cars; and there is also useful experience
in the energy area. Fundamentally, it is important that sustain-
ability is really lived, and this starts with sensitising the public.
People have to want to live ecologically for it to work.
Is sustainability a burden or good business?
Sustainability is good business. That rings even more true to-
day, as more and more people are sensitised to sustainability.
A sustainable mindset leads to an improvement in quality.
How do the holiday guests react to the efforts that Saas-
Fee and its hoteliers undertake in the matter of ecology?
The guests react positively to these efforts as they lead to
keeping nature intact.
Steffen Klatt
Division FAIRSPACE
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
40
The World Future Energy Summit 2010
Swiss Exhibitors
Solar Impulse – Around the world in a solar airplane
In a world depending on fossil energies, the Solar Impulse project is a paradox, almost a provocation: it aims to have an airplane
take off and fly autonomously, day and night, propelled uniquely by solar energy, right round the world without fuel or pollution, an
unachievable goal without pushing back the current technological limits in all fields.
Bertrand Piccard, well known for his first non-stop round-the-world balloon flight in 1999 initiated the project 10 years ago. He leads
the Solar Impulse together with André Borschberg, engineer and former pilot of the Swiss Air Forces. Solar Impulse achieved the
construction of its first prototype airplane which flew for the first time at the beginning of last December. It has the wingspan of an
Airbus A340 (63,40 m), the weight of a family car (1,600 kg) and the power of a scooter (40 HP).
The plane will achieve day and night flight in 2010 and will attempt the crossing of the Atlantic in 2011. The round the world flight is
planed for 2012, with five stopovers. Each flight leg will last around 5 days. The project has a budget of 70 M Euros funded by part-
ners, foundations and private persons.
Solar Impulse SA
Scientific Park – C, EPFL
CH-1015 Lausanne
www.solarimpulse.com
Contact person:
Phil Mundwiler, Head of media and external communication
fon +41 (0)21 693 89 35
Mobil +41 (0)79 570 14 94
T-LINK is specialised in. EXPO SERVICE . TRADE FAIR MARKETING . EXPORT PACKING . INDUSTRIAL and PROJECT FREIGHT FORWARDING
Our EXPO SERVICE contains international exhibition freight forwarding, project manage-
ment for joint pavilions as eg. «SWISS Pavilions» and road shows. T-LINK is the Swiss
Agent for various shows and the official representative for “Deutsche Messe Hannover”
in Switzerland.
From smaller machines up to heavy-lift cargo our PROJECT TEAM plans and coordinates
your transports of any kind. In our packing facilities next to Zurich Airport and in Maienfeld
we are specialised in EXPORT PACKING including a.o. high tech corrosion protection.
20 years of experience is your guarantee for a suitable handling of your packing and
freight forwarding needs.
We provide our clients with a reliable time and money saving “ONE-STOP-SHOPPING”.
T-LINK MANAGEMENT LTD
Kirchstrasse 42 Contact persons:
CH-8807 Freienbach Carl A. Ziegler
fon +41 (0) 43 288 18 88 Viviane Mor
fax +41 (0) 43 288 18 99 [email protected]
www.t-link.ch
41
Zehnder, a synonym for a healthy and energy-efficient indoor climate
Zehnder is the leading provider for heating, cooling and ventilation system solutions. With its headquar-
ters based in Gränichen, Switzerland Zehnder has production sites, development centres and sales com-
panies in more than 19 countries.
The ventilation systems including heat pumps and low temperature radiators are focussing on be-
ing energy efficient and therefore especially suitable for meeting the Swiss Minergie standards.
In domestic heat recovery ventilation, Zehnder is leading in the world. The counter flow heat ex-
changers give the Zehnder units the highest efficiency achievable without doing concessions to the
indoor comfort. In hot climate Zehnder heat recovery will ensure continuous cool fresh air and can
drop the demand for cooling by 50%. Zehnder Comfort ventilation is standard equipped with filter-
ing G4-F7. These filters keep pollution and dust outside thus ensuring a healthy indoor climate.
In meeting the Minergie standard –optimum energy efficiency and maximum comfort - the
Zehnder Comfort ventilation plays an essential part.
Zehnder Group AG
Moortalstrasse 1 Contact person:
Postfach Bert Schinkel Tel. +31 38 429 69 11
CH-5722 Graenichen Regional Manager Middle East & Asia/ Pacific Fax +31 38 422 56 94
fon +41 62 855 15 00 Zehnder Group Direct +31 38 429 67 31
fax +41 62 85515 15 Lingenstraat 2 Mobile +31 6 135 83 750
www.zehnder.eu 8028 PM Zwolle; P.O. Box 621 [email protected]
[email protected] 8000 AP Zwolle - The Netherlands
Alpine Village consists of chalets, guesthouses and a Swiss
speciality restaurant - all traditional and sustainable, in the
pristine village of Saas Fee, the ‘Pearl of the Alps’ on 1’800
meters above sea level (with slopes as high as 3’500) offering all-year skiing adventure on
beautiful glaciers. Soon, Alpine Village will come all the way to Abu Dhabi. It is earmarked
as the only traditional Swiss restaurant and guesthouse in Masdar City’s Swiss Village.
www.alpendoerfli.ch
MAXMAKERSTM
Swiss Village Association: Sponsors and Strategic Partners *43
Swiss Village – The Swiss zone in Masdar
The Swiss Village is to be located between the Institute of Sci-
ence and Technology and the central administration building
in the heart of Masdar. The Swiss Village is to offer a balanced
mix of uses with offices, research labs and light manufactur-
ing facilities, restaurants and shops, a Swiss business hub, a
Swiss private school, apartments as well as the Swiss Em-
bassy and an embassy residence. And everything is “Made in
Switzerland” – designed by Swiss architects and designers,
built by Swiss companies to Swiss quality and Minergie stand-
ards. The Swiss Village is supported at the highest political
level in the UAE and Switzerland.
Being located in the Swiss Village offers Swiss companies
several advantages: they gain an ideal business hub for open-
ing up the UAE and other Gulf regions. At the same time, they
benefit from a gain in reputation by participating in a pioneer-
ing project in the field of sustainability and they benefit from
the know-how and from the publicity that will result from this
leading location for Clean Tech & Services. The government
of Abu Dhabi has also declared Masdar to be a “Free Zone”.
This guarantees exemption from taxation as well as absolutely
no restrictions on foreign ownership or on the repatriation of
profits and capital.
The Swiss Village is being realised in the first construction
phase of Masdar – the opening is scheduled for 2011. As it
is to be built by Swiss companies, it represents a significant
order volume for Swiss industry. Contracts will be awarded for
procurement and realisation in the fields of preliminary building
structures, building technology, installa- tions, equipment, sur-
rounding area as well as furnishings. In addition, there is signif-
icant potential for Swiss companies in the other construction
zones in Masdar scheduled for implementation later on. And,
last but not least, participation in Masdar – a showcase for the
entire Gulf region – opens up opportunities for follow-up orders
throughout the region. Swiss companies that lease surface ar-
eas in the “Swiss Village” are ideally positioned for the award
of orders for product supplies and services.
Gold sponsors: Silver sponsors:
swisscleantech Association: www.swisscleantech.chswisscleantech is a Cleantech Business As-sociation, founded in 2009. It aims to sup-port the transition of the Swiss economy into a Cleantech role model.
Maxmakers: www. maxmakers.comMaxmakers provides advisory services for real estate and infrastructure projects, maximising the value of assets, minimising negative development impact.
Oerlikon: www.oerlikom.comOerlikon is one of the most innovative and research-intensive industrial groups, offer-ing among others production plants for thin-film silicon solar modules.
Osec: www.osec.chOsec is the umbrella organisation for the promotion of exports, imports and invest-ments, as well as for the promotion of Swit-zerland as a business location
Lead sponsors:
Swissmem: www.swissmem.chSwissmem is the association of the engi-neering, electrical and metal industry and associated technology-oriented sectors.
Hublot Genève: www.hublot.comHublot is a Swiss watchmaker creating luxu-ry watches. Its Big Bang model has received numerous prestigious awards.
avireal: www.avireal.com Leader in sustainable real estate lifecycle management, property development, owner representation, HVAC engineering, facility, property and business center management.
Credit Suisse: www.credit-suisse.comCredit Suisse Group is a world-leading fi-nancial services company, advising clients in all aspects of finance.
Implenia: www.implenia.comImplenia is Switzerland’s largest construc-tion and building services provider. Its core competence is construction and civil engi-neering.
Swiss Re: www.swissre.comAs one of the leading and most diversified reinsurers, Swiss Re provides reinsurance products that enable risk taking essential to enterprise and progress.
Strategic partners:
* As of the 27 th of Decembre 2009
Opi: www.opi.chThe Office for the Promotion of Industries and Technologies promotes Lake Geneva region’s economic development.
WISeKey: www.wisekey.comWISeKey is a leading information security and identity management firm that provides advanced technology and services to au-thenticate the identity of communicators, signatures, and objects during Internet transactions.
Alpendörfli: www.alpendoerfli.chChalets, guesthouses and a Swiss speciality restaurant - all traditional and sustainable, in the pristine village of Saas Fee, the ‹Pearl of the Alps› on 1›800 meters above sea level (slopes as high as 3›500) offering all-year skiing adventure on beautiful glaciers.
44 45
3S Industries AG.: www.3-s.com
Leading Technology for solar module production.
ABB Secheron: www.abb.com
Leading power and automation technologies.
ACS Solutions Schweiz AG: www.acs-inc.ch
Modern ticketing systems for public transport.
Alpine Village: www.alpendoerfli.ch
A hotel and chalets in the sunniest area of Saas Fee.
Axpo Kompogas AG: www.axpo-kompogas.ch
Heat and electricity from biological waste.
B.A.E.C.R. Architecture:
Bagno Sasso AG: www.bagnosasso.com
Interior - Bath & Wellness Architecture.
Bauwerk Parquet: www.bauwerk.com
Market leader for 2-layer parquet.
Belimo Automation: www.belimo.ch
Solutions for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
BioApply Sàrl: www.bioapply.com
Ecological alternatives to plastic packaging and products.
Café Europe Textagentur GmbH: www.ce-sg.com
Press agency serving papers, www.nachhaltigkeit.org.
Cassani executive & specialist search:
www.cassani-kaderselektion.ch
Executive, talent and specialist search.
Chemiswiss SA: www.chemiswiss.ch
New solutions for specific cleaning problems.
Ciba Expert Services: www.cibaexpertservices.ch
Services related to chemicals and performance materials.
Citec Ingénieurs Conseil SA: www.citec.ch
Studies for urban transport systems.
Cobiax Technologies AG: www.cobiax.com
Lightweight solutions in concrete.
Detlefson Investment Advisory: www.detlefson.com
Private Wealth Management.
dl-a - designlab-architecture s.a.: www.dl-a.ch
Architecture, interior design, urban planning & development.
Dynamics Group: www.dynamicsgroup.ch
Networking, communication and knowledge management.
ecos: www.ecos.ch
Support for sustainable development projects.
Elkuch Ludwig AG: www.elkuch.ch
Individual solutions in metal sheets.
Enerec AG: www.enerec.ch
Electricity and heat made of dry biomass.
Exposition Swissminiatur SA: www.swissminiatur.ch
Overview of Switzerland in an open-air miniature park.
Foundation for Global Sustainability: www.ffgs.org
Think tank to contribute to sustainable development.
Fracht AG: www.frachtag.ch
Innovative, tailor-made logistics solutions.
Geberit International AG: www.geberit.com
Setting new trends in sanitary technology.
Global Strategic Studies Institute: www.globalssi.eu
Starting a serious environmental debating forum.
Grisser AG: www.griesser.ch
One of the leading manufacturers of solar shading products.
Groupe h – Bureau d’Etudes Intégrales SA: www.groupe-h.com
International network for comprehensive construction.
Harsch, The Art of Moving: www.harsch.ch
One of the leading moving companies in Switzerland.
hepia – Geneva University of Applied Sciences: www.hesge.ch
Training of engineers, economists and others, research.
Hilti: www.hilti.ch
Leading-edge technology to the construction industry.
Hofstetter: www.hofstetter-uwt.ch
Extracting and disposing of gases from landfill sites.
Holger & Partner Consulting / Holger Pünjer Consulting:
Holinger AG: www.holinger.com
Process, environmental and structural engineering technology.
Holbeinpraxis: www.holbeinpraxis.ch
Chiropractic and physiotherapeutic services.
Hovalwerk AG: www.hoval.com
Solutions in heating and ventilation technology.
Holzbau Renggli: www.renggli-haus.ch
Energy efficient construction in wood.
International Clean Energy Consortium: ICEC: www.icec.ch
Clean energy development, manufacturing and installations.
IGP Pulvertechnik AG: www.igp.ch
Swiss powder coating systems for architectural applications.
Inca Naturstein Design GmbH: www.incadesign.ch
Construction in natural stone.
Inch GmbH: www.inch-solutions.ch
Innovation Consulting and Project Management.
InterApp AG: www.interapp.net
State-of-the-art flow control solutions.
Isofloc AG: www.isofloc.com
Thermal insulation of roofs, ceilings and walls.
Jacquet Atelier de Signalétique: www.atds.ch
Signs and signals connect companies with the public.
JV SCHMIDLIN / FELIX: www.schmidlinllc.com
Heat and electricity from biological waste.
Kudsi Law Firm: www.kudsilawfirm.ae
Leading Abu Dhabi firm of Advocates and Legal Consultants.
KWC AG: www.kwc.ch
Sanitary ware for kitchens and bathrooms.
Lenzlinger Söhne AG: www.lenzlinger.ch
Durable and flexible access to underfloor installation.
LEONI Studer AG: www.leoni.com
High quality cables for appliance in Industry and Infrastructure.
LEP Consultants AG (Spin-off ETH Zurich):
www.lepconsultants.ch / www.lepcag.ch
Landscape and environmental planning services.
Limmat Capital Alternative Investments: www.limmatcapital.ch
Asset management focused on alternative investment.
MAG Switzerland AG: www.mag-ias.com
Machine tools and systems for the durable-goods industry.
Swiss Village Association: Members *
* As of the 24 th of December 2009
www.science-environment-consulting.com
Consulting in environment and sustainable development.
SES – Société d’Energie Solaire SA:
www.societe-energie-solaire.com
Solutions in PV solar energy, combining design and energy.
SIG (Service Industriel de Genève): www.sig-ge.ch
Electricity, gas and district heat for Geneva.
Similor AG: www.similorgroup.com
Highest level of sanitary competence.
SIS Swiss International Schools Schweiz AG:
www.swissinternationalschool.ch
Bilingual education in a multi-cultural environment.
Solarcool AG: www.solarcool.com
Waste heat and solar-operated cooling machine.
SolarSwissInternational GmbH (ex.SAD):
www.solarswissinternational.ch
Supplier for the photovoltaic sector.
Sputnik Engineering AG: www.solarmax.com
Development, maintenance of solar inverters.
STPC Eitelbuss & Partner AG: www.stpc-international.com
Consultency for architecture and civil engineering.
Sutter Gartendesign AG: www.gartendesign.li
Modern garden design for the body, the spirit and the soul.
Swiss Hospitality Holding SA: www.alpshotels.net
Holding for Alps hotels.
Swiss Middle East: www.mecweng.com
Aluminum curtain wall and metal cladding.
Swiss OpenAir Concept: www.swissopenair.com
Organising open air events.
Swiss Premium Food: www.swisspf.ru
Selling premium food of Mövenpick and Bauer in Russia.
Swiss-Indo Trade & Invest SA: www.swissinso.com
Innovative solar energy solutions and related technology.
Swissôtel Management: www.swissotel.com
Group of deluxe hotels for business and leisure travelers.
T-LINK MANAGEMENT AG / LTD: www.t-link.ch
Exhibition logistics and project freight forwarding.
Take a breath
Texlon international GmbH: www.texlon.ch
High tech membranes and light weight structures.
Trüb AG: www.trueb.ch
National ID and bank cards, access and corporate ID solutions.
UBS: www.ubs.com
Wealth and asset management, investment banking.
Urimat Schweiz AG: www.urimat.com
Water and chemical free urinals and biological cleaning concepts.
Verwo AcquacutAG: www.va-ag.ch
Processing metal sheet.
Wenger & Vieli: www.wengervieli.ch
Law firm focusing on business law.
Westiform AG: www.westiform.com
Energy-saving illuminated and digital signage indoors and outdoor.
Zaugg AG: www.zaugg-rohrbach.ch
Construction of commercial and agricultural buildings.
Zehnder Group Management: www.zehndergroup.com
Tubular steel radiators, comfort ventilation, energy control.
Messe Schweiz: www.messe.ch
More than 30 trade fairs and exhibitions worldwide.
Meteo Media AG: www.meteomedia-energy.com
One of the leading weather services in Europe.
Metsä Group Schweiz AG / Finnforest Switzerland:
www.finnforest.com
Leading wood products supplier for construction in Europe.
Meyer Burger: www.meyerburger.ch
Supplier of slicing and automation systems for wafer production.
Robonaut c/o Michel Enterprises: www.robonaut.ch
Cleaning of large scale photovoltaic surfaces.
Minergie: www.minergie.ch
The Swiss sustainability brand for buildings.
Mobility International Inc.: www.mobility.ch
Leading Swiss Car-Sharing company with all kinds of cars.
Myclimate: www.myclimate.org
Carbon offsetting solutions via effective offset projects.
National Cement Factory (Holcim): www.holcim.com
One of the leading suppliers of cement and aggregates.
NBAD Private Bank (Suisse) SA: www.nbadsuisse.ch
A Swiss bank with a deep understanding of Arabian culture.
Netcetera AG: www.netcetera.ch
One of the top IT service providers in Switzerland.
NEP Solar: www.newenergypartners.com
Renewable energy technology and projects development.
New Energy Scout GmbH: www.newenergyscout.com
Specialised on projects of wind energy, biogas and solar energy.
Newgens: www.newgens.ch
A revolutionary technology for waste-to-energy plants.
Nolaris CSEM: www.nolaris.ch
Solutions for the construction of solar island plants.
Nooa architects: www.nooa.ch
Oger International Abu Dhabi: www.ogerinternational.com
MEP and Sustainability Management, FM, BIM
Orient Irrigation Services: www.orientirrigation.com
Technology ensures maximum growth using low water quantities.
Penta: www.penta.ch
An Application Server Provider focused on secure operation.
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.: www.pilatus-aircraft.com
Single-engine turboprop aircraft and training systems.
Planair SA: www.planair.ch
Design and planning of energy saving solutions.
Prime Assets: www.primeassets.ch
Primustech Investments: www.primustech.ch
Active Investment in high-tech industrial companies.
Private Wealth Council: www.privatewealthcouncil.org
Wealth owners, industry representatives, opinion leaders.
Procos Professional Controlling Systems AG: www.procos.com
Instrument for the application of the Balanced Scorecard.
Saia-Burgess Controls AG: www.saia-pcd.com
Electronic components, devices and control engineering.
Schindler Management: www.schindler.com
Manufacturer of elevators, escalators and moving walks.
Schöb AG: www.schoeb-ag.ch
Construction in wood, furniture.
Science & Environment sarl:
Bertrand Piccard is president of the Patronage
Committee of swisscleantech. The Swiss pioneer
and innovator made the first non-stop, around-the-
world balloon flight. He is initiator and chairman of
Solarimpulse, which is constructing a solar pow-
ered airplane.
Nick Beglinger is the president of swisscleantech, the business
association representing sustainable companies in Switzerland and
Liechtenstein. He is also the initiator and president of Swiss Village. As
a partner in the Swiss real estate and infrastructure advisory firm Max-
makers, he has been involved in the development of Masdar as coun-
sel to the Abu Dhabi government from the start of Masdar in 2006.
46 47
swisscleantech Association
parliamentary groups and events. To gain broader recognition,
swisscleantech promotes and represents its label ’swisscle-
antech’ through selective marketing and the support of spe-
cial projects, including Swiss Village Abu Dhabi, World Expo
Shanghai 2010 and more.
Many Swiss companies are already offering ready solutions
to the challenges of adopting sustainable economic develop-
ment practices. Their expertise, along with additional interna-
tional cooperation, will accelerate the transition to a worldwide
cleantech economy.
swisscleantech therefore favours a sustainable Swiss econom-
ic policy that acknowledges the interdependence of economic,
social and environmental factors in the global economy. Over-
regulation and subsidies that are harmful to the environment
must be abolished and avoided in future. Instead, a lean-and-
clean framework should provide incentives for long-term plan-
ning and new investments.
swisscleantech is a business association charged with rep-
resenting its members’ political interests. The term cleantech
encompasses all industries that foster eco-innovation and
sustainable development in their products, services and proc-
esses. The group aims to live up to that vision by supporting
the transition of the economy of Switzerland and Liechtenstein
into a cleantech role model that sets an example in sustain-
ability worldwide. In this regard, many Swiss companies can
further benefit from the rapidly growing domestic and interna-
tional markets for cleanteach products and services and sus-
tainable development.
swisscleantech’s principal focus is to bundle the interests of
its members and to represent them in politics and markets
around the world. The association makes recommendations
to policymakers and participates in public relations campaigns
to promote cleantech investing. Ancillary services include the
promotion of exports, a news service and maintaining net-
works between members, scientists and politicians through
Swisscleantech was founded on your initiative. Why now?
Nick Beglinger: It is becoming ever clearer that economy
and ecology cannot be separated. In order for the economy
to grow sustainably, we need clean solutions. The growth of
the economy must be decoupled from the increase in resource
consumption and emissions. That works by reusing products
and clean materials, improve energy efficiency and limit the use
of fossil fuels and therefore carbon emissions as well. To reach
this goal, state and economy need to work together in partner-
ship. As an organisation of sustainably oriented companies,
we are showing politicians that there are already companies
thinking and acting in a sustainable way as well as supporting
clear regulatory frameworks.
Is Swisscleantech limiting its role to lobbying at home?
Swisscleantech is concentrating both inwards and outwards.
On the one hand, our job is clearly to represent the political
interests of our members, of sustainable Swiss companies. On
the other hand, we want to position ‘Swiss Cleantech’ domes-
tically and internationally, as a brand representing the strengths
that Switzerland has to offer in this area. When foreign busi-
ness or governments think of Switzerland, they should think
of Swiss clean technology and services in addition to Swiss
chocalates, chees and banks. Also, by systematically fostering
and actively transferring Swiss cleantech know how, which is
very strong compared to all other countries, we are making
a contribution to sustainable development on an international
level, while at the same time strengthening our own economy.
What can Switzerland offer the world?
As a small country, Switzerland never had large resources at
its disposal. With the mountains and tourism, nature is very
present and it is greatly appreciated - also for economic rea-
sons. In general, this is why the Swiss are very aware that one
has to treat nature with care, that one depends on nature and
get along with what it has to offer. The value of such aware-
ness is very significant, since Cleantech companies need em-
ployees who share this ‘sustainability mindset’ for successful
innovation. It is also apparent in studies regarding the image of
Switzerland that we are renowned to be a clean, professional
country. There is an array of areas in which Switzerland is lead-
ing - its government on the regulatory front, and its companies
in terms of technology and services.
With your company, Maxmakers, you are active in the
region. You are heading the Swiss Village project in Mas-
dar City. What can Switzerland offer the Gulf region?
The Gulf is severely exposed to the
issue of sustainability. In order to live
here at all, one key aspect is to have
buildings, urban structures, utility
and transport infrastructure that that
are built sustainably and consume lit-
tle energy and water. One needs to
employ solar and geothermal tech-
nology, takeing advantage of these
local resources. Switzerland can
contribute in many of the most rel-
evant Cleantech areas. Particularly in
urban planning and building technol-
ogy we have a wealth of experience.
The Minergie Standard is nationally
the most successful building stand-
ard in the world and is superior to
all other standards with regards to technology and business
model. The same can be said for mobility, the management of
water and waste, as well as renewable energy.
The Swiss Village Masdar is a showcase for Swiss
Cleantech. How are the preparations going?
In the Swiss Village in Masdar, Switzerland has demonstrated
its pioneering role in Cleantech: We are the only country in
Masdar to be represented with our own neighbourhood. We
have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Masdar
stating that the Swiss Village is to be built by Swiss architects,
with Swiss project management, and with Swiss materials.
Swiss Village provides Swiss companies with good export op-
portunities, and also an attractive location for their regional of-
fices, residences, and light manufacturing facilities. In return,
it offers Masdar, Abu Dhabi and the UAE privileged access to
Swiss know how and Swiss companies as tenants. We have
thus far attracted lots of interest and wait for more Swiss com-
panies to choose Masdar’s Swiss Village as their hub in the
Gulf. region.
Steffen Klatt
Switzerland is CleantechThe business association swisscleantech was founded by approximately one hundred companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein at the end of 2009. In Switzerland, the organisation is campaigning for a regulatory framework inducing a sustainable yet liberal market economy. Globally, it promotes the strengths of the Swiss cleantech sector
47
Division FAIRSPACE
Swiss Pavillion organised by T-LINK
In cooperation with
Swiss Business Hub GCC
Sponsors
Concept, text and design: Café Europe Textagentur GmbH, Neugasse 30, Postfach 445 CH-9004 St. Gallen, www.ce-sg.com
Editor: Steffen Klatt: [email protected]
Printed in the United Arab Emirates
For additional copies, please contact Café Europe Textagentur GmbH.
Principal Sponsors:
Cover pictures: Foster and Partners, ETH Zurich
Pictures: Axpo Energiegruppe (1), Coop (5), IWB (5), Yvonne von Hunnuis (3), Juvent SA (1), Litra (1), Minergie (3), Oerlikon Solar (2), SVA
(2), Renggli AG (2), RhB/Andrea Badrutt (1), Seco (2), Seco/Lenzerheide (1), Swiss Recycling (1), Verein PRS PET-Recycling Schweiz (1),
Schweizerische Stiftung für das cerebral gelähmte Kind (1),
Swiss Village Abu Dhabi Association
c/o Wenger Vieli Tal Siegel
Dufourstrasse 56 SVA, Member Relations Manager
8006 Zurich, Switzerland fon +41 58 750 05 07
www.swiss-village.com fax: +41 58 750 05 06
Swiss Pavilion + Oerlikon Solar
www.swisscleantech.ch
www.t-link.ch