Why produce in Switzerland?

There are two types of Bioethenol production in Switzerland:

-         rectification and dehydration of raw ethanol

-         production from domestic feedstocks

The advantage in the first case is that we can obtain very high quality, dehydrated ethanol, produced under the best conditions.

As regards the complete production chain (from the raw material to the finished product) Switzerland cannot and does not want to produce first generation bioethanol on its limited agricultural land. However, production facilities could make use of agricultural and forestry wastes or surpluses (straw, grass, whey, wood chips, wood shavings, sawdust, etc.). Second generation technology, which can convert lignocellulosic raw materials, will offer greater opportunities for the use of domestic feedstocks. The development of these very promising processes in Switzerland would ensure that we stayed abreast of new trends in the industrialisation of renewable energy technologies.

Another important aspect in the domestic development of biofuels is the new Law on mineral oil taxation, which serves as an example for sustainable development. Switzerland is the first country to encourage the ethical production of biofuels.

Alcosuisse intends to assist this production chains by improving the framework conditions or by setting up privileged partnerships.