The Zurich-based company Recoal has developed a technology that converts wet-waste biomass into hydrochar, which stores carbon and can be stored “underground” in Switzerland. The goal: a safe and efficient solution for removing CO₂ from the atmosphere and a further step towards net zero.
Founded in 2023, Recoal aims to bring its technology to market readiness with the support of the Migros Pioneer Fund and then deploy it worldwide. 

From 41.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050: in addition to reducing emissions, Switzerland’s climate target can only be achieved with additional technologies that extract and store CO₂ from the atmosphere. With the support of the Migros Pioneer Fund, Recoal is developing a technology that converts (waste) biomass into hydrochar, which stores carbon permanently. This hydrochar can then be stored in underground storage facilities. Pirmin Aregger, Co-founder of Recoal, summarizes: “Recoal aims to provide a simple, safe, and efficient solution for CO₂ removal, helping Switzerland and companies worldwide on its path to net zero.”

With the support of the Migros Pioneer Fund to net zero
Financially, the young company can count on the Migros Pioneer Fund. The fund has chosen to support Recoal because “without investment in carbon dioxide removal – the permanent removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere – Switzerland will not achieve its climate targets. Recoal’s solution is promising, especially because the CO₂ can be permanently stored in local sites in a transparently verifiable manner” – states Pablo Villars, Project Manager at the Migros Pioneer Fund.

Team and early successes
Following successful feasibility studies with partners like ETH Zurich and TU Delft, Pirmin Aregger, Joachim Hanssler, and Giovanni Alberti founded Recoal in 2023. The team is currently working intensively on planning a pilot facility in Switzerland. Shortly after its founding, Recoal received prestigious recognition: its potential was confirmed in the IMD Start-up Competition and in international carbon removal programs such as remove and the CEEZER Carbon Coalition.

Attractive market and great potential for Switzerland
The need for CO₂ removal technologies is highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, among others. Furthermore, this industry could open up enormous economic potential for Switzerland: projections by the Boston Consulting Group foresee billion-dollar growth by 2030 – comparable to today’s oil and gas industry. Switzerland is well-positioned, with approximately 9% of global jobs in this growth sector located here.