Cleantech start-up Grensol receives 150,000 Swiss francs from Venture Kick

The start-up Grensol, based in Thalwil, has received an investment of 150,000 Swiss francs from Venture Kick, according to a press release. The young company specializes in the recycling of materials contained in car wrecks. The money will be used to further develop its technology for recycling plastic waste and other materials.

The first phase of the solution for recovering metals and minerals is currently being implemented in a demonstration plant on the site of the former Biberist paper mill in the canton of Solothurn.

According to the press release, almost 20 percent of car recycling waste consists mainly of mixed plastics, metal fragments and crushed glass. These waste materials are often incinerated or disposed of in landfills, resulting in high costs, environmental pollution and CO2 emissions. In addition, the increasing demand for materials required for the energy transition is putting more pressure on scarce resources.

Grensol's solution addresses both challenges by converting recycling residues into functional raw materials. These can replace new materials and avoid expensive and environmentally harmful disposal methods, according to the press release.

Grensol plans to expand its approach from car recycling to other waste streams such as electronic scrap and plastic waste. The company sees the potential to convert more than 80 million tons of waste into cost-effective, emission-free raw materials every year and save over 500 million tons of CO2 emissions. Grensol puts the market potential at 90 billion dollars. ce/gba