Sustainability as the key to a future-proof industry

What are the main findings of Technology Outlook 2025?

Claudia Schärer: Technology Outlook monitors 31 technologies. From these, we can see three significant trends for Switzerland's future viability: first, the growing relevance of energy and environmental research alongside research in materials and manufacturing processes. The management of raw materials and harmful environmental impacts is becoming increasingly important. Second, the way we deal with CO2 is set to change significantly, as technologies enabling the utilisation of this greenhouse gas gain traction. Third, digital technologies feature less prominently in the 2025 edition, which reflects the ongoing progress of digital transformation. Nevertheless, SMEs are still struggling to keep pace and harness digitalisation for their own benefit.

As Switzerland itself has no raw materials, it's all the more important to keep imported raw materials in the country through a functioning circular economy. Which of the technologies presented can contribute to this? What surprised you the most?

Stefan Scheidegger: I was surprised by the creativity and consistency with which research is being conducted into technologies and processes that improve both sustainability and security of supply in Switzerland. One technology that is representative of many endeavours is phosphorus recycling. Consistent recovery of phosphorus from sewage sludge and meat and bone meal ash could allow Switzerland to significantly reduce its phosphorus imports. Other technologies supporting the circular economy include bioplastics derived from waste, CO2-based plastics, as well as university and industry projects that recover gold from electronic waste.