About Recoal

The consequences of human-induced climate change affect us all. We are ready to take responsibility and make a decisive contribution to achieving net-zero with innovative CO₂ removal.

Our mission

We pursue a shared goal: to remove one million tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere and securely store it underground by 2031.

Our team of experts has developed an innovative solution to capture CO₂ from the atmosphere using waste biomass, converting it into a stable form that can be safely stored geologically with minimal environmental impact. Together with like-minded partners, businesses, and policymakers, we work towards deploying this solution for large-scale, long-term CO₂ removal, making a significant contribution to climate protection.

The social, environmental, and socio-economic effects of global warming are already evident today. But what does the future hold? We have the power to decide. Climate research models show that to leave a habitable planet for future generations, we must limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C by 2050. Achieving this requires technologies to remove unavoidable CO₂ emissions, like those developed by Recoal.

We are proud to be part of the solution.

We are ready to take responsibility.

We are building a new sector of the economy.

We are creating value and attractive jobs.

We are taking action now – for future generations.

Climate investment

Creating impact together: Become part of Recoal with a climate investment.

Recoal's technology

Carbonisation: How CO₂ is safely and efficiently removed and stored through waste biomass.

Team

Pirmin Aregger

Business Development, Co-Founder
Dipl. Ing. ETH / MBA

“I spent years working for one of Switzerland’s largest food processors, and I was annually responsible for emitting one million tonnes of CO₂. With Recoal, I want to remove that same amount of CO₂ from the atmosphere by 2031.”

Pirmin is an experienced team leader and bridge-builder. Before co-founding Recoal, he held executive roles in companies within the agriculture and food industries, most recently as Deputy CEO of a major Swiss food processor, where he implemented innovations in sustainability, alternative proteins, and digitalisation while also being responsible for one million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. At Recoal, he is dedicated to ensuring the company’s planned growth is realised.

Joachim Hanssler

Operations, Co-Founder
BSc. Eng. FH

“I’m convinced that we can create a livable future through innovative technology. For me, technology is a vital ally in combating the global climate crisis. That’s why I co-founded Recoal.”

Joachim brings key skills in engineering and project management for Recoal’s operations. Before the founding, he managed large projects in process engineering, food technology, and plant construction. After years in the industry, Joachim decided to channel his expertise into combating climate change, meeting Pirmin and Giovanni through a decarbonisation project. While much has changed since, his motivation remains the same: today, he ensures that both the pilot and larger plants can be brought online at Recoal.

Tim Baars

Geology
Dr. TU Delft

“After my studies and collaborations in the oil and gas industry I now want to use my skillset to positively impact the world and help with the safe removal and storage of CO₂.”

Tim is an analytical and forward-thinking scientist who became part of the Recoal team in 2024. Before joining, he worked closely with Recoal as a researcher at Delft University of Technology, where he discovered his passion for creating meaningful and tangible impact. With a strong foundation in geology and a doctoral dissertation focused on cutting-edge methods for subsurface reservoir characterization, Tim brings deep expertise and a wealth of knowledge to support the safe and sustainable long-term storage of CO₂.

Sinh Nguyen

Monitoring, Reporting, & Verification
MBA / MSc. ZHAW

“I believe in the power of ingenuity to drive environmental progress. With a deep passion for sustainability and a track record in turning ideas into reality, I’m excited to contribute to a future where ALL living beings thrive.”

Sustainability, business, and technological innovation have always made up the interesting intersection where Sinh thrives and finds the most passion in. With experiences ranging from co-founding a sustainability reporting startup to contributing to circular economy strategies at established organizations, Sinh is driven by a commitment to tackling climate change. Her exciting journey led her to join Recoal, where she oversees transparent and accurate CO₂ removals, ensuring the credibility and integrity of the company’s environmental impact and contributions to climate mitigation efforts.

Giovanni Alberti

Research & Development, Co-Founder
Dr. Ing. ETH

“For me, it’s clear: we need to change things to leave a livable planet for future generations. Recoal contributes to this goal – not someday, but starting now, sustainably and with a simple technology.”

Giovanni is known as an inventive thinker. Before co-founding Recoal with Pirmin and Joachim, he worked for years as a corporate consultant in industry. Among his accomplishments, he introduced the first Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules to the Swiss market and set up the first production facility of its kind in Europe. With his broad expertise and innovative spirit, Giovanni ensures Recoal’s technological progress.

Michaela Mazzotti

Design Engineer
EFZ

“For me, Recoal represents the connection between my passion for technology and my commitment to people and the environment. I am convinced that through innovative solutions we can not only build sustainable plants, but also create a livable future for generations to come.”

Michaela combines in her career two worlds that may seem different at first glance: technology and social impact. After completing her apprenticeship as a design engineer, she gained valuable experience in plant design for large-scale facilities in food technology. Driven by the desire to make a difference on a societal level, she went on to study Social Work and worked both in a social organization and in a global corporation. Today, Michaela brings this versatility to Recoal: as a Design Engineer she develops solutions that connect technical precision with a broader vision. Recoal provides the ideal environment for her to merge her passion for innovation with her commitment to a sustainable future.

Our journey

Recoal was founded in autumn 2023. However, the story of Recoal began several years prior to the company’s official launch, with a collaborative project that the three founders – Giovanni Alberti, Pirmin Aregger, and Joachim Hanssler – developed in 2021 for one of Switzerland’s largest food processors. Faced with the challenge of finding effective solutions for reducing CO₂ in the atmosphere, they conceived the idea of using waste biomass for decarbonisation.

In 2022, they were able to test their idea for the first time in a rented facility. The ZHAW accompanied this test run as a scientific partner, concluding with the project team that the process was effective and held promising potential. In 2023, feasibility studies on geological storage were completed by ETH Zurich, TU Delft, and DMT GmbH, and planning for a decarbonisation facility was conducted by the engineering firm Holinger AG, all with positive results.

Ready for pilot testing, Giovanni, Pirmin, and Joachim decided to take over the project from their former employer and founded Recoal AG in Zurich in September 2023.

The young company’s strong potential for success was recognised early on. Only months after its founding, Recoal won first prize at the IMD Start-up Competition and successfully competed in the international Carbon Removal Accelerator programmes run by remove and ceezer Carbon Coalition.

The entire project team is now working intensively on realising the pilot facility in Switzerland and advancing Recoal’s development.

Sustainable Development Goals as a guide

Recoal’s business activities are aligned with the United Nations’n Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) With our CO₂ removal technology, we are primarily dedicated to combating climate change and addressing its social, environmental, and socio-economic impacts.

Recoal drives measures in key target areas: “Affordable and Clean Energy” (SDG 7), “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8), “Responsible Consumption and Production” (SDG 12), and “Partnerships for the Goals” (SDG 17).

The fight against global warming cannot be won alone. That’s why we continually expand our network to achieve lasting change. Through partnerships, Recoal offers innovative solutions to close material loops in waste management, the food industry, and agriculture.

Looking for long-term partnerships?

Careers

Would you like to support us with dedication and drive? We welcome proactive applications. Get in touch with us at jobs@recoal.net.

You can find the open positions at Recoal on LinkedIn.

Our location

Our offices are located at Westhive Zurich. We are happy to arrange in-person meetings by appointment.

Recoal
Hardturmstrasse 161
8005 Zürich

Contact us

Do you have questions about Recoal or are you interested in a collaboration? Get in touch with us.