Institute of Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency

The energetic utilisation of biomass and the optimisation of material and energy flows are the focus of our scientific work.

We are working on the clean and efficient energy supply of the future in the fields of alternative fuels, combustion research and resource efficiency. Together with our partners in business and science, we design products that are environmentally friendly and at the same time strengthen Switzerland as a business location.

Our institute is jointly supported by the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland FHNW and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, the largest research institution for natural sciences and engineering in Switzerland.

Competencies

Alternative fuels

Hydrothermal gasification | Biofuels | Use of algae | Catalyst research | Elemental analysis

Combustion research

Biomass combustion | Measurement of emissions | Emission reduction | Gaseous combustion | Combined heat and power generation

Resource efficiency

Optimisation of production processes | Recycling technology | Life cycle analysis | Material flow management

Electricity market 2.0

Regenerative energy production | Smart grid | Energy storage | System modelling | Project development

"Within the CCUS project, we were able to count on the support of the Institute of Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency. The cooperation was very pleasant. The team is very competent and responded flexibly to the client's needs. The implementation of the project was efficient and effective. Using an interactive and agile approach, the objectives were met quickly and in line with the client's needs. At the end, a complete handover (including a short training) of the product took place, so that the product can continue to be used by Holcim."

Laurent Seyler, Head of Process Innovation, Holcim Technology Ltd

Selected projects

Sustainable recycling of glassfiber reinforced plastic

Plastic waste represents valuable resources. By recycling them and returning them to the materials cycle, we make our contribution to a more sustainable ...

to Sustainable recycling of glassfiber reinforced plastic

Wood dust burner for asphalt mixing plants

The aim is for the wood dust burner to be an environmentally friendly alternative to the pulverised coal burners currently used in asphalt mixing plants.

to Wood dust burner for asphalt mixing plants

Electrodynamic fragmentation of electronic scrap

Electronic devices are becoming increasingly complex and compact. This complicates the recycling process – which is why there are plans to introduce new and ...

to Electrodynamic fragmentation of electronic scrap

All research projects of the Institute for Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency