May 30, 2024

European Green deal: Pioneering sustainable technologies with CSEM

CSEM is at the forefront of sustainable innovation, co-developing technology solutions that tackle today’s environmental challenges. From harnessing solar power to monitored water quality, our actions today shape the world of tomorrow. Discover the impactful technologies we are helping to develop to secure a greener legacy.

CSEM is at the forefront of sustainable innovation, co-developing technology solutions that tackle today’s environmental challenges.
©CSEM -

CSEM is actively involved in 29 European projects that are developing practical solutions in areas such as solar energy, recyclable batteries, precision agriculture, modular electronics, and more. Our projects span 32 European countries including collaborations with Australia and Canada, showcasing with our commitment driving to sustainable change through technological innovation.

Why Sustainability Matters?

The European Climate Law sets ambitious goals: a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. To achieve this, we need transformative changes across food, energy, mobility, construction, and more. CSEM's dedication to sustainability aligns with the Union Nation’s global vision for better future-one where technology drives positive impact.

Aligning with global sustainability goals

CSEM’s involvement in European projects directly supports six of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals guide our work, ensuring that our innovations contribute to a more resilient and equitable world.

SDG 2: Sustainable farming and food

Sustainable farming and food

Technology provided by CSEM: Food security & safety, plant health monitor, sustainable agritech sensors.

AGRARSENSE: Develops automated agricultural innovative tools and enhanced sensor technologies to increase efficiency and protect agricultural value chains.

TESLA: Develops high-performance green electronics using sustainable materials and processes and demonstrates its use in the energy digital agriculture sector.

SDG 3: Good health

Good health

Technology provided by CSEM: Wearables for vital sign monitoring, connected sensors, point-of-care solutions.

INCHILDHEALTH: Evaluates the impact of indoor air quality on children's health in school, home, and sports environments.

NEWLIFE: New remote non-invasive monitoring solutions for ensuring the health of mothers and babies before and after birth

SDG 6: Water and nature monitoring

Water and nature monitoring

Technology provided by CSEM: Tools and AI to monitor and optimize water quality and management.

TRIQUETRA: Aims to develop a toolbox for assessing and mitigating climate change risks and natural hazards threatening our cultural heritage.

BIOSENSEI: Develops a real-time biosensor platform for detecting abiotic and biotic pollutants in water, including chemicals, microorganisms, and endocrine-disrupting substances.

UNIVERSWATER: Universal interoperative sustainable agri-water management platform.

SDG 7: Clean and renewable energies

Clean and renewable energies

Technology provided by CSEM: Smart grid, high efficiency photovoltaic (PV) technologies, building/product integrated solutions, novel encapsulants, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in PV solutions, and energy harvesting.

SIC4GRID: Aims to optimize silicon carbide (SiC) technology for integrating renewable energies into the energy grid, focusing on reducing costs and the size of Medium-voltage direct current/High-voltage direct current (MVDC/HVDC) converters.

TRIUMPH: Focuses on developing perovskite/silicon triple-junction photovoltaic cells to improve solar panel efficiency.

VALHALLA: Aims to develop stable and environmentally friendly perovskite solar modules for clean electricity generation.

PILATUS: Works on developing heterojunction silicon photovoltaic cells and modules, combining Silicon heterojunctions (SHJ) technology with Interdigitated Back-Contact (IBC) architecture.

PEPPERONI: Accelerates large-scale PV module manufacturing in Europe by developing solutions for perovskite/silicon tandem solar technology.

SEAMLESS-PV: Development of advanced manufacturing equipment and processes aimed at the seamless integration of multifunctional PV solutions, enabling the deployment of Integrated Photovoltaic (IPV) sectors.

SPHINX: Aims to create cost-effective and quickly deployable Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) elements using disruptive matrix shingling technology.

INCREASE: Aims to contribute to a wider uptake of IPV by delivering innovations at module and system level, as well as for the design and operation phase.

ENERGY ECS: Develops smart and secure energy solutions for future E-mobility, focusing on digitizing electric mobility systems.

SDG 7: Clean and renewable energies

Recyclable and efficient batteries

Technology provided by CSEM: Battery efficiency improvement, next-generation solutions, batteries recycling

SOLID: Develops high-energy-density, safe, and recyclable solid lithium-metal batteries with a scalable pilot manufacturing process.

RECIRCULATE: Aims to improve battery recycling by implementing automated disassembly, sorting, and refurbishment solutions, as well as a blockchain-based virtual market.

NEXBAT: Strives to develop the safest and most durable battery system by considering electrical, thermal, and mechanical safety, as well as production digitization and recyclability.

NEMO: Seeks to extend battery life and improve safety in stationery and automotive use cases.

SPHINX: Develops high-performance, durable lithium-sulfur batteries for electric mobility applications, focusing on energy efficiency and cost reduction.

PHOENIX: Supporting the development of smart, technologically advanced and sustainable batteries.

BATMAX: Aims to develop advanced and adaptive battery management systems for various E-mobility applications, including maritime E-mobility, off-road, heavy-duty vehicles, and stationary storage.

BATTERY2LIFE: Facilitates the transition of batteries to second-life use by offering adaptive and open BMS (battery management systems) enhanced system designs, and efficient, reliable reconfiguration methods.

SDG 9: Sustainable industry

Sustainable industry

Technology provided by CSEM: IoT, software updates, trustworthiness, reconfiguration, security, privacy, edge computing, predictive solutions

NETHELIX: Devotes to promoting responsible mining by developing environmentally friendly machinery and less carbon footprint impactful extraction methods.

R3-MYDAS: Facilitates the transition of the manufacturing industry to circular value chains, focusing on remanufacturing of energy goods.

DAIEDGE: Aims to strengthen the European AI ecosystem by fostering innovation in AI technology.

TRACE: Develops a universal logistics platform to improve seamless collaboration among logistics stakeholders.

 

SDG 12: Reducing e-waste and developing sustainable electronics

Reducing e-waste and developing sustainable electronics

Technology provided by CSEM: Ultra-low-power technologies, eco-design, wireless power transfer, usage of eco-friendly materials, sustainable batteries.

EECONE: Aims to reduce electronic waste by increasing product lifespan and promoting reuse, recycling, and material valorization.

SUSTRONICS: Seeks to transform the European electronics industry by enhancing reusability, adopting eco-design principles, and fostering innovation in using bio-based materials and improving recyclability.

CSEM’s commitment to continuous improvement

Additionally, CSEM is leading the Green ECS (electrical components and systems) Working Group at the European industry association of EPoSS. The working group has recently released a white paper on Green Smart Systems: ECS Sustainability and Environmental Footprint. CSEM is also involved in keeping the sustainability aspects in fore front in the current Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) of ECS.

Together with our Heterogeneous Technology Alliance (HTA) partners of VTT, CEA-Leti, FhG Microelectronics we want to be on the front of the green transition with our sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. Concrete internal actions at CSEM corporate level are: Since 2015, we have reduced the carbon footprint of our employees by 26.5% and we continue to promote environmentally friendly practices. Our dedication to sustainability drives us to invest in solutions that align with the UN SDGs, ensuring that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand for a better future. By collaborating and innovating together, we can overcome the challenges of our time and create a sustainable, circular and technologically advanced future.

The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States

CSEM SA, Rue Jaquet-Droz 1, 2002 Neuchâtel