AI Quick Summary

RETHINKING AUTOMOTIVE WASTE – GRENSOL CLOSES THE LOOPWhen cars reach the end of their life, reusable parts and large metal components are recycled. What remains – seats, insulation, and plastics – becomes a waste mix called Auto Shredder Residue (ASR). Until now, ASR was mostly incinerated, causing high CO₂ emissions and the loss of valuable materials.Founded in 2021, Swiss start-up Grensol is tackling this challenge. In collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA), ETH Zurich, and HEIG-VD, Grensol has developed an innovative process to recover materials from ASR – closing the loop in the automotive industry and reducing emissions.Grensol’s proprietary process involves three key steps:Mechanical separation to recover metals like copper, aluminum, and steelFluid dynamic processing to convert minerals like auto glass into raw materials for cementPhotolysis, a light-driven process that extracts hydrogen and carbon materials from remaining wasteAll recovered materials are reintegrated into industrial cycles:Metals are melted into new componentsGlass replaces quartz sand in cement productionCarbon is reused in plastic manufacturingThe technology is deployed in recycling microsites located at or near car recycling facilities, reducing transport needs. The first site in Biberist (Solothurn) is set to launch in early 2026. Each site can process up to 25,000 tons of ASR per year, potentially avoiding 6.4 tons of CO₂ per ton of ASR.By turning non-recyclable waste into valuable resources and eliminating the need for incineration, Grensol is contributing to a more circular and sustainable Swiss economy.It’s no surprise that Grensol was named one of Switzerland’s Top 100 Start-ups by Venturelab.Grensol is part of the Switzerland Innovation Park Central I Site of Park Zurich , which has provided key support for its development.Support highlights:Networking with major stakeholdersFunding through:Innovation Booster Energy Lab: CHF 20,000Innovation Booster New Mobility Lab: CHF 25,000Buildify.earth InvestmentRajiv Singhal, CEO and founder of Grensol AG, emphasizes:“Thanks to the Innovation Park, we’ve built valuable partnerships in Central Switzerland that are key to our continued growth.”

Post Metadata

• Author: Switzerland Innovation Digital
• Published Date: 9/17/2025 11:11:29 AM
• Modified Date: 9/17/2025 11:11:29 AM

Post Description

RETHINKING AUTOMOTIVE WASTE – GRENSOL CLOSES THE LOOP

When cars reach the end of their life, reusable parts and large metal components are recycled. What remains – seats, insulation, and plastics – becomes a waste mix called Auto Shredder Residue (ASR). Until now, ASR was mostly incinerated, causing high CO₂ emissions and the loss of valuable materials.

Founded in 2021, Swiss start-up Grensol is tackling this challenge. In collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA), ETH Zurich, and HEIG-VD, Grensol has developed an innovative process to recover materials from ASR – closing the loop in the automotive industry and reducing emissions.

Grensol’s proprietary process involves three key steps:

• Mechanical separation to recover metals like copper, aluminum, and steel
• Fluid dynamic processing to convert minerals like auto glass into raw materials for cement
• Photolysis, a light-driven process that extracts hydrogen and carbon materials from remaining waste

All recovered materials are reintegrated into industrial cycles:

• Metals are melted into new components
• Glass replaces quartz sand in cement production
• Carbon is reused in plastic manufacturing

The technology is deployed in recycling microsites located at or near car recycling facilities, reducing transport needs. The first site in Biberist (Solothurn) is set to launch in early 2026. Each site can process up to 25,000 tons of ASR per year, potentially avoiding 6.4 tons of CO₂ per ton of ASR.

By turning non-recyclable waste into valuable resources and eliminating the need for incineration, Grensol is contributing to a more circular and sustainable Swiss economy.

It’s no surprise that Grensol was named one of Switzerland’s Top 100 Start-ups by Venturelab.

Grensol is part of the Switzerland Innovation Park Central I Site of Park Zurich , which has provided key support for its development.

Support highlights:

• Networking with major stakeholders
• Funding through:
  • Innovation Booster Energy Lab: CHF 20,000
  • Innovation Booster New Mobility Lab: CHF 25,000
  • Buildify.earth Investment

Rajiv Singhal, CEO and founder of Grensol AG, emphasizes:

“Thanks to the Innovation Park, we’ve built valuable partnerships in Central Switzerland that are key to our continued growth.”