Zurich-based Hitachi Zosen Inova has been selected by Entsorgung + Recycling Zurich to build a new line at the Hagenholz Waste to Energy facility. When operational in 2026, the new, highly efficient line will increase the plant’s existing capacity by 50% to treat non-recyclable municipal waste from the city and canton of Zurich, generating electricity to power and heating local homes and businesses.

Zurich, Switzerland. Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) has been awarded the contract by Entsorgung + Recycling Zurich, the City of Zurich’s waste management division, to design, build and commission a new state-of-the-art Waste to Energy line at the Hagenholz waste treatment site close to the city’s airport.

A two-line Waste to Energy facility has been located at the Hagenholz site since 1969, with the original lines later replaced in 2008 and 2010. Now Entsorgung + Recycling Zurich has selected HZI to deliver the Hagenholz project: a new third line and the fifth boiler to be built on the same site, which will increase the treatment capacity by 120,000 tonnes of waste each year. It will generate 48MW of thermal power and facilitate the extension of Zurich’s existing district heating system, for which the city’s electorate recently approved a loan of 330 million Swiss francs. Significantly, the energy generated will markedly reduce the need for the oil and gas-powered heating systems currently used by homes and industry in the city, contributing to both a reduction in Zurich’s carbon footprint and enhanced supply security, with less dependence on energy imports.

Notice to Proceed was given today, 6 September 2023, signalling the start of the build phase. Once fully commissioned, operations at the Hagenholz line will start in December 2026, producing much-needed electricity and steam for Zurich’s expanding district heating infrastructure.

“HZI is extremely proud to have been awarded this important contract by Entsorgung + Recycling Zurich. It will enable more residual waste to be treated at the Hagenholz site, which has been processing waste for over 50 years,” said Fabio Dinale, Executive VP of Business Development at HZI. “Once operational in late 2026, the new and highly efficient line will increase waste thermal treatment and recycling at this Zurich facility by 50%, processing an additional 120,000 tonnes of waste per year. Importantly, this will allow Zurich to increase its energy security, with more heat produced locally and more metals recovered in Switzerland from recycling activities.”

A Win-Win for Zurich
This is a home win for both parties, with HZI, a leading international green-tech group based in Zurich, helping to further increase the canton’s ability to treat more of its own non-recyclable waste locally. In addition to creating more construction jobs, the new Hagenholz facility will also be a catalyst in terms of extending the city’s district heating grid. In the future, this will have significant environmental benefits, with low-pressure steam produced by all three Waste to Energy lines at Hagenholz used to heat more homes and businesses, reducing consumption of oil and gas. With the new Hagenholz line, HZI has now been awarded the contract for the third boiler to be awarded in Switzerland in recent years.