Institute for Ecopreneurship

School of Life Sciences

We develop environmentally friendly production processes and methods for treating and recycling waste and wastewater.

At a glance

6 Research groups
60 Teaching, research and support professionals
30+ Projects with industry and other partners
20+ Publications per year

Research fields

Applied circular economy

Bio- and hydrometallurgical processes for the recovery of metals and transition metals from industrial waste

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Ecotoxicology

Measuring and studying the effects of pollutants on the environment

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Environmental and water technologies

Processes and concepts for water and wastewater treatment and the recovery of valuable substances

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Sustainable chemistry

Making chemical processes more environmentally friendly

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Sustainable resource management

Use and protection of water, energy and raw materials; treatment of wastewater and waste

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Water, sanitation, and hygiene

Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in international development and humanitarian action

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Facilities and services

Environmental technology plant

Developing and optimising wastewater treatment processes and converting waste to energy

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Thermal separation process plant and biorefinery

Solvent extraction and recovery, and purification of biofuels, biochemicals and biomaterials

Institute: Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Institute for Ecopreneurship

Events, news and stories

Making water flows visible

The FHNW School of Life Sciences is using a tool to help ensure a climate-resilient water supply in Peru.

Date: 5.8.2026
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Research Highlights brochure 2024 is now available online and in print

We are proud to present a selection of our research successes from the past year. These projects showcase how our school supports local, national and international communities, is a partner of choice for industry, advances treatment options for patients, and pushes technological frontiers – all while providing outstanding educational opportunities for our students.

Date: 30.4.2025
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship, Institute for Pharma Technology and Biotechnology, Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics, Institute for Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics

Minimising combined sewer overflow

Michael Thomann’s team is using online sensors and modelling to exploit existing wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure.

Date: 30.4.2025
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

How well do industrial companies know their wastewaters?

A tool developed by Miriam Langer’s team is helping industry better answer this question.

Date: 30.4.2025
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

A systemic approach to safe water

Maryna Peter and her project team are preventing disease through handwashing technology, behavioural science, effective management and long-term relationships.

Date: 30.4.2025
Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship

Projects

Improving water security in Peru’s cities

Water security for climate-resilient cities (PROAGUA 2025-2028)

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship
Research field: Water, sanitation, and hygiene

Empower#IoT

Autonomous solar-powered IoT sensors for smart cities

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship
Research field: Applied circular economy

Center of Excellence for Circular Economy in Life Science

The Centre of Excellence for Circular Economy in Life Science develops and implements circular solutions across the entire value chain, from concept to implementation.

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship
Research field: Sustainable chemistry

COP4WASH in Central Asia

Community of research and practice in water, sanitation and hygiene in Central Asia

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship
Research field: Water, sanitation, and hygiene

Evaluation of household filters for emergencies

Testing 420 filters from five manufacturers in Palestine, Somalia and Kenya

Institute: Institute for Ecopreneurship
Research field: Water, sanitation, and hygiene

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Publications

About the institute

The Institute for Ecopreneurship conducts research in applied environmental science, environmental technology and circularity. We analyse current ecological challenges and develop measures to preserve and improve the quality of the environment. We contribute to the transition towards a circular economy by improving existing processes and developing new ones.

Our work is interdisciplinary, combining biology, chemistry and process engineering, which we apply at different scales. Our applied research includes high-tech solutions to reduce emissions and recover valuable raw materials. We also design concepts and optimise processes for resource-efficient production, and evaluate the effect of substances and processes on the environment using ecotoxicology and life cycle analyses.

We are a reliable, innovative R&D partner with highly specialised expertise, close contacts with industry and authorities, and wide-ranging international networks. Our teaching benefits directly from these strengths.

Institute flyer (PDF)