Switzerland has become a worldwide leader in developing these technologies and offers numerous advantages as a location for companies in this expanding business sector.

Strong environmental laws in Switzerland encouraged the development of environmental technologies in the country many years ago. In addition, cooperation between government and industry representatives resulted in the creation of progressive laws and policies that are both environmentally responsible and conducive to business as well. Today, companies and research institutes based in Switzerland are leaders in developing cutting-edge environmental technologies in areas such as water treatment, air pollution control, instrumentation and control systems, waste treatment and recycling as well as power generation and recovery.

Renewable energy, solar energy, biomass, bio-diesel, bio-gas, water purification, thermal engineering, hydraulics: all future-looking sectors in which the canton of Vaud boasts cutting edge capabilities, both academic and applied. The research and education centres notably at the EPFL (sciences and environmental engineering section) and the ecotechnology section of Vaud School of Business and Engineering (HEIG-VD), produce top-drawer knowledge and specialists.

Numerous Vaud-based companies operating in the power and environmental sectors are affiliated with the Swiss competence networks energie-cluster.ch and ader.ch (renewable energy). The canton of Vaud also has a technology centre specialising in power and the environment: the Orbe Environmental Technology Centre, which focuses mainly on renewable energy.

Some reference...

• Applied Materials Switzerland
• Gaznat
• Granit Group
• Greatcell Solar
• HPL (High Power Lithium)
• Leclanché
• MHyLab – Small Hydropower Laboratory
• RWB Holding
• Solstis
• VHF Technologies

Development economic - State of Vaud (DEV)
Avenue de Gratta-Paille 2
P.O. Box 19
1000 Lausanne 22
Switzerland

Tel : +41 21 644 00 60
Fax : +41 21 644 00 79
E-mail : dev@dev.ch