KEZO and Sulzer launch first Swiss pilot project for CO2 capture at waste recycling plant

MSWI plants incinerate non-recyclable waste to recover energy, diverting the waste from landfill and contributing to circular resource use

Sulzer has signed an agreement with KEZO (Zweckverband Kehrichtverwertung Zürcher Oberland), Zurich Oberland’s waste utilization service provider, to develop and deliver a licensed carbon capture solution for commercial validation at KEZO’s waste-to-energy plant in Hinwil. The goal is to assess integration feasibility with KEZO’s processes in preparation for its new municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plant planned for 2030.

MSWI plants incinerate non-recyclable waste to recover energy, diverting the waste from landfill and contributing to circular resource use. While efficient, the combustion process emits considerable carbon dioxide (CO2). Integrating carbon capture technology can dramatically reduce these emissions, transforming waste utilization from a climate challenge to a climate solution. This is where Sulzer’s CO2 solution comes into play.

Sulzer’s pre-assembled modular unit will be integrated at Hinwil’s waste-to-energy plant, where it will capture up to 1’000 tonnes of CO₂ annually from the flue gas. The captured carbon will then be utilized by a nearby greenhouse, demonstrating efficient, circular use of resources. This is a vital step in validating the technology’s commercial viability for KEZO’s planned new municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plant. Pending validation, a scaled carbon capture unit can be integrated at the new MSWI facility to capture up to 120’000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, thereby supporting Switzerland’s net-zero ambitions.

The project is mainly financed by KEZO. The Canton of Zurich is also contributing to the financing. KEZO is making its infrastructure available and contributing its operating experience to gather important insights for the future large-scale plant.