Environmental Award 2016: bioplastics, PV elements and heating/cooling system nominated

On behalf of the pro Aqua-pro Vita Foundation, the expert jury headed by Prof. Dr. Rainer Bunge nominated three outstanding projects from numerous submissions in the "Innovation" category for the 2016 Swiss Environmental Award. The projects of BS2 AG, CSEM SA and FluidSolids AG impressed the jury with their high degree of innovation, resource conservation and environmental relevance. The announcement of the winners - also in the category "Ecopreneur" - will take place on January 12, 2016 during Swissbau in Basel.
The Environmental Award of Switzerland is one of the most valuable environmental prizes in Switzerland, worth 50,000 Swiss francs, and is awarded every two years by the pro Aqua-pro Vita Foundation. The renowned jury around President Prof. Dr. Rainer Bunge, himself an innovator and researcher with a chair for environmental and process engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil, was allowed to nominate three candidates for the category "Innovation" from numerous high-quality submissions. It is very gratifying that the steadily growing awareness of a careful approach to our environment is once again evident in the 2016 Environmental Award.

In terms of the degree of innovation, the concrete environmental benefits and the development status of the projects, the expert jury nominated three very different products and processes.

FluidSolids AG
With its ecological and physical properties, FluidSolids, a bioplastic developed in Switzerland, has market conquest potential. Unlike other bioplastics, no food is used in its production - FluidSolids is made from the residues of renewable resources. The material lends itself to a wide range of products that are currently still made from metal, wood and, above all, petroleum-based plastics. The highly adaptable material can be processed using both traditional industrial mass production methods and the pioneering technology of 3D printing. Great potential lies in its biodegradability, which represents a solution to the global plastic waste problem.

CSEM SA
For decades, architects have been demanding new solutions for the visual integration of PV elements in buildings. The color white is of particular interest, as it is elegant and versatile to combine and looks fresh. The company CSEM SA has now developed a new technology to realize solar modules without visible cells and connections. This combines a solar cell technology that converts infrared radiation in sunlight into electricity with a diffusing filter that scatters the entire visible light spectrum, but transmits infrared light. Any PV technology based on crystalline silicon can now be used to produce white - and colored - solar modules. The technology can be applied to an existing module as well as integrated into a new module during manufacturing.

BS2 Zelegancy
The Zeleganz building technology system heats, cools and ventilates rooms and provides hot water. This is all done CO2-free, with costs over the entire life cycle being lower than for many years of operation with oil heating. Zeleganz's innovation lies in both the systemic approach and the components. The low-lift heat pump with integrated system control is highly efficient, and the coaxial membrane geothermal probe is suitable for seasonal heat storage at depths of up to 450 m and also in groundwater protection areas. PVT hybrid collectors in individually prefabricated roof elements increase the design scope. The required heat and operating electricity are produced CO2-free all year round. The small pumps of the active heating circuit distributor control heating and cooling according to demand, and the decentralized ventilation system saves space and increases living comfort. As the system is suitable for new buildings, but also in particular for the gentle refurbishment of existing buildings, it offers considerable climate protection potential. Around 85% of the Swiss building stock could thus be operated CO2-free.

Ecopreneur - Recognition Award for Entrepreneurs
In January, the Swiss Environmental Award will also be presented in the "Ecopreneur" category. The award is given to an entrepreneur who has achieved visible success in the market through his or her sustainable and long-standing commitment to environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony. This year's Ecopreneur comes from the construction industry - so you can be curious!

Announcement of the winners and awarding of the prizes at Swissbau 2016
The award ceremony will take place on January 12, 2016 at 5:30 pm at Swissbau in Basel, Hall 1.0 South, Swissbau Focus. During the award ceremony, Stefan Zanetti, CEO and Founder of the company qipp, will give a keynote speech entitled: "Digitally sustainable building". Further information and registration: www.swissbau.ch/focus