Localfish wins the Zurich Unterland 2024 Innovation Award

The Innovation Award was launched in 2021 by the Zurich Unterland Economic and Business Council to recognize and highlight innovations from the Unterland region. The first prize of CHF 5,000 was ceremoniously presented to Localfish AG by the sponsors Zürcher Kantonalbank and Eberhard Unternehmungen. The company from Rafz is currently revolutionizing the fish industry with circular and CO2-neutral fish production. The company has built a unique ecosystem around its new facility in Rafz, focusing on animal welfare and sustainability and closing regional cycles. Thanks to their consistent zero-waste approach, they guarantee an environmentally friendly and healthy source of protein for humans and animals. Second place, worth CHF 2,500, went to Swiss Drone Services AG from Niederglatt, which has developed an innovative process for cleaning solar modules, façades and glass surfaces using drones. Third place, also worth CHF 2,500, goes to Scinora GmbH from Rafz. The company is committed to replacing animal components in biotechnological processes with more economical and sustainable alternatives and has developed products that replace fetal calf serum in various cell cultures.

Congratulations to the winners!

Solving specific problems with innovations

The fully booked innovation event hosted by Chromos Group AG in Dielsdorf offered the almost 70 participants a varied program.

In an exciting keynote speech, Daniel Steingruber, Open Innovation Manager at AXA, showed how companies can create innovations by focusing specifically on customer needs. Key findings: Collaboration with start-ups or other partners offers great opportunities for the development of profitable innovations.

Afterwards, three practical examples offered exciting lessons learned regarding the development and implementation of innovations:

1. In order to remain fit for the future, the 90-year-old company ELEX has dared to make the transition from a classic technology company with a focus on industrial flue gas cleaning to an innovative player in environmental technology. Supported by an innovation coach from the cantonal SME and innovation funding program, the company is working with the University of Applied Sciences East and a partner company to develop a new technology that will help achieve the climate targets.
2. Automation plays a central role in connection with the shortage of skilled workers. Chromos Group AG has added a collaborative robot (Cobot) to its product range to help companies meet this challenge. The participants had the opportunity to see the Cobot live in action on site.
3. At a time when sustainability and efficient use of resources are becoming increasingly important, the start-up YASAI is presenting a pioneering solution for the future of agriculture. The company specializes in vertical farming, a form of agriculture that uses minimal water and no pesticides. Cultivation in Niederhasli is also possible in urban areas, independent of agricultural land. Together with partners and universities, YASAI is setting new standards in sustainable food production and will soon be opening a larger facility in Rafz.

The innovation event was supported by the Office of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich, the municipality of Dielsdorf and Chromos Group AG. The Innovation Award was sponsored by Zürcher Kantonalbank, Eberhard Unternehmungen.

ANDREA LOBSIGER created the pictures for the event.