KEZO and Sulzer launch Switzerland’s first CO2 capture pilot at a waste plant, paving the way for large-scale decarbonization.
Sulzer has entered into a collaborative agreement with KEZO (Zweckverband Kehrichtverwertung Zürcher Oberland), the waste management authority serving Zurich’s Oberland region, to launch Switzerland’s first pilot project for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture at a waste recycling facility. The initiative aims to commercially validate Sulzer’s licensed carbon capture technology at KEZO’s existing waste-to-energy plant in Hinwil. This pilot will serve as a stepping stone toward the deployment of a full-scale system at KEZO’s planned new municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) facility, targeted for commissioning in 2030.
Municipal solid waste incineration plants convert non-recyclable waste into usable energy, offering an alternative to landfill disposal and contributing to circular resource utilization. However, while efficient, these incineration processes release significant amounts of CO2, presenting a major environmental challenge. The integration of carbon capture technologies at such facilities can substantially mitigate these emissions, enabling waste-to-energy plants to support climate goals instead of exacerbating them.
Sulzer’s solution involves a compact, modular carbon capture unit that is pre-fabricated for ease of integration. At the Hinwil plant, this unit will be installed to extract up to 1,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from flue gas emissions. What sets this project apart is the closed-loop approach: the captured CO2 will be redirected to a nearby greenhouse, showcasing a real-world application of carbon reuse and the circular economy in action.
The main objective of this pilot is to assess the technical and economic feasibility of deploying Sulzer’s technology at a larger scale. If successful, the carbon capture unit could be significantly upscaled and incorporated into KEZO’s upcoming MSWI facility. The envisioned large-scale setup could capture as much as 120,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, representing a major step forward in helping Switzerland meet its net-zero emissions targets.
Funding for the pilot project is primarily being provided by KEZO, with additional support from the Canton of Zurich. KEZO is also contributing by offering access to its current infrastructure and operational know-how, enabling both parties to gather essential insights for designing and optimizing the future large-scale plant.
Dr. Suzanne Thoma, Executive Chairwoman of Sulzer, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership, noting that KEZO’s commitment to sustainability makes it an ideal collaborator for demonstrating the viability of carbon capture in waste management. “This cooperation exemplifies how innovation can deliver transformative outcomes that align environmental priorities with economic development,” she said.
Echoing this sentiment, KEZO’s Managing Director Daniel Böni emphasized the project's broader implications: “This initiative illustrates how established sectors like waste management can evolve through technology and strategic collaboration to play a pivotal role in global decarbonization.”
