Zurich, November 3, 2026 – Grensol is pleased to announce that it has obtained all required regulatory approvals to operate its first industrial plant at its site in Biberist, in the Canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, following the successful commissioning of the facility earlier this year. This marks a major milestone in the company’s mission to scale the sustainable recovery of valuable metals from complex recycling waste streams.

This achievement concludes a permitting process that began in early 2024. Following an intensive review of this first-of-its-kind facility, the construction permits were issued in early 2025. Over the past few months, continued close and constructive cooperation with the authorities of the Canton of Solothurn and the Municipality of Biberist during the plant’s initial ramp-up has resulted in the issuance of all operating permits, confirming compliance with stringent Swiss regulatory standards.

The start of operations followed an intensive four-week installation phase in Q1 2026. During this period, all major equipment was delivered and mechanically and electrically installed in collaboration with Grensol’s installation partner and equipment suppliers. A core team of four worked closely on site, supported by several electricians. The entire installation phase was led by Benjamin Schuler, Plant Manager at Grensol.

The rapid progress is captured in the video “4 Weeks in 15 Seconds: Our Plant Build in Time-Lapse”, which shows how the plant was built from equipment delivery to full installation in just four weeks.

 4 Weeks in 15 Seconds: Our Plant Build in Time-Lapse

 

Commissioning began immediately after installation was completed and has now been successfully concluded, including all required inspections by the relevant authorities. Since operations began, Grensol has processed almost 1,000 tonnes of automotive shredder residue (ASR) from Swiss recycling companies, recovering valuable metals that would otherwise have been incinerated together with municipal solid waste.

“With a small, focused team and strong support from our partners on site, we were able to install the plant in just four weeks and subsequently commission it successfully,” says Benjamin Schuler, Plant Manager at Grensol. “The result demonstrates what can be achieved through careful planning, close collaboration and a committed team.”

Following this important milestone, Grensol is now focused on gradually increasing production output and further optimising operating parameters. The next major development step will be the planned installation of additional AI-based sorting systems. These are expected to improve the recovery of valuable metals, including copper, aluminium and steel, while increasing the efficiency of the overall process. This will help establish the foundations for stable and efficient industrial operations, supporting local manufacturing and electrification at a time when raw material costs remain high and supply chains face increasing challenges.

“Successfully commissioning and obtaining all operating permits for the plant is about much more than starting up a new facility. It demonstrates that our technology and team can move from project development to industrial application under demanding Swiss regulatory standards, and provides the foundation for continuously improving our process and further scaling our technology,” says Rajiv Singhal, CEO of Grensol. “We are grateful for the constructive collaboration and support of the authorities in the Canton of Solothurn and the Municipality of Biberist. Our focus now is on steadily increasing production and improving the recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life waste.”

Grensol would like to thank all partners, suppliers, contractors and local stakeholders who contributed to the successful implementation of the Biberist project. Their close collaboration and commitment were instrumental in achieving this important milestone.

As Grensol enters the next phase of operations, the company remains committed to its mission of recovering critical raw materials from complex waste streams, advancing the circular economy and promoting the responsible use of natural resources on an industrial scale.

About Grensol 
Founded in 2021, Grensol is an innovative recycling company committed to addressing the challenge of recovering valuable materials from highly complex waste streams. Grensol has developed a novel three-step process for extracting metals, minerals, and polymers from automotive shredder residues (ASR), reprocessing them into circular raw material inputs. The company’s first specialised facility is now operational in Solothurn.
In collaboration with research partners HEIG-VD, ETH Zurich and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Grensol continues to push the boundaries of materials separation technology for waste that is currently incinerated or landfilled, while actively exploring new industry partnerships and expanding use cases for its platform — advancing a future where even today’s most difficult waste can be transformed into valuable resources. 
Grensol is supported by Innosuisse, the Swiss Federal Office of Environment, the Swiss Climate Foundation, the City of Zurich and BlueLion through their KlimUp programme, the Foundation of Swiss Auto Recyclers, Venture Kick, EPFL Innovation Park’s Tech4Regen accelerator, Impact Hub’s Circular Economy Transition incubator, and the W.A. de Vigier Foundation.