«It needs all of us to avoid another crisis – let’s tackle it together!»

A secure supply of gas and electricity is central to our energy-intensive industries Chemistry Pharma Life Sciences. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the situation: this coming winter, there will be shortages. This makes it all the more important to take the necessary steps now and to address short- and long-term supply with the highest priority – scienceindustries is strongly committed to this. We are currently discussing possible scenarios and specific preparatory measures with our members, including in a webinar. On this topic, the guest author in this newsletter is Werner Meier, Delegate for National Economic Supply.

scienceindustries and its member companies are making a significant contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Some of our members are involved in ETH Zurich’s DemoUpCARMA climate protection project, which uses a combination of several technologies and approaches to significantly reduce the long-term CO2 emissions of our industries. Forward-looking and prudent action is also advisable with regard to antibiotics: resistance must be combated together so that we can continue to rely in future on antibiotics to treat bacterial infectious diseases in humans and animals.

In summary: it needs all of us – let’s tackle it together! I wish you an interesting read and a pleasant summer break.

Yours sincerely
Stephan Mumenthaler, Director of scienceindustries


	ANNIVERSARY OF SCIENCEINDUSTRIES Series of articles on the 140th scienceindustries anniversary


	GUEST STATEMENT BY WERNER MEIER, DELEGATE FOR NATIONAL ECONOMIC SUPPLY «National economic supply wants to prevent, not to heal»

		Gas shortages threaten the economy and society
		Highest relevance: increasingly endangered power supply
		Reducing resistances: antibiotic monitoring in veterinary medicine
		On the way to a net zero target: ETHZ pilot project

Gas supply

Gas shortages threaten the economy and society

A gas shortage would cause major economic and social damage. Together with economiesuisse and Swissmem, scienceindustries supports the efforts of the federal government and the gas sector to secure the supply of gas.

Gas is a key energy source for the Swiss economy and the member companies of scienceindustries. At the same time, it is a raw material for many products from our industries, some of which are essential to life.

For the majority of companies, a severe gas shortage is a threat to their livelihood: the consequences would include plant closures and the associated loss of jobs. This must be avoided at all costs. It is now up to industry and private households to start reducing their consumption today.

Against this backdrop, we welcome the federal government’s planned energy-saving campaign, which it intends to implement in cooperation with industry. In order to achieve a significant savings effect, this campaign has to be started as soon as possible. Together, we can succeed in avoiding gas rationing.

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Power supply

Highest relevance: increasingly endangered power supply

The creation of new electricity production capacities in Switzerland must be tackled with the highest priority. The Federal Council must assume its responsibility for the security of supply and immediately implement the announced measures for creating a hydropower reserve and building reserve power plants.

No progress has been made to date in the expansion of electricity capacity in Switzerland. However, this would be absolutely necessary in order to meet current and future challenges. scienceindustries therefore welcomes the Federal Council’s planned rapid introduction of a hydropower reserve and the construction of reserve power plants. In the current situation, it is important that these power plants can, as an alternative, also be operated with liquid fuels instead of gas.

The supply of electricity and gas must be given top priority: it is to be hoped that the Environment and Energy Commission of the Council of States will prioritise the security of supply when debating the Electricity Supply Act. Together with other trade associations, scienceindustries submitted demands last March for a secure, sustainable and economical supply of electricity.

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Antibiotic resistance

Reducing resistances: antibiotic monitoring in veterinary medicine

Antibiotics are prescribed to combat bacterial infectious diseases. However, antibiotics lose their effectiveness if they are over-prescribed or used improperly. The information system on antibiotics in veterinary medicine (IS ABV) contributes to the fight against growing antibiotic resistance.

Switzerland adopted the national Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance (StAR) in 2015. The IS ABV is part of the StAR. Since 1 January 2019, veterinarians have been recording their antibiotic prescriptions in the information system. This database makes it possible to track the use of antibiotics in both pets and livestock. In 2022, two separate reports showed for the first time how antibiotics are used in veterinary medicine. This is intended to ensure the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics in humans and animals and contribute to the containment of resistance.

More (only available in German)

Climate protection

On the way to a net zero target: ETHZ pilot project

Some of the member companies of scienceindustries are participating in an exciting pilot and demonstration project at ETH Zurich: DemoUpCARMA combines the capture, use, transport and storage of CO2.

scienceindustries is in favour of proactive and effective climate protection. When preparing the corresponding position paper last year, we discovered that a combination of several technologies and approaches would significantly reduce the CO2 emissions of our industries in the longer term. For emissions that are difficult to avoid, CO2 capture, use, transport and storage can be considered.

The DemoUpCARMA pilot and demonstration project at ETH Zurich, which is funded by the government as well as the private sector, is examining the technological and economic feasibility of this CO2 value chain and the potential of a CO2 network linking Swiss CO2 sources with possible CO2 storage locations.

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scienceindustries is the Swiss business association for the chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Its around 250 member companies generate more than 98% of their revenues abroad. As Switzerland's biggest export industry, this sector contributes 50% to total exports and almost 40% to private research expenses in Switzerland.

Stephan Mumenthaler, Director
Pia Guggenbühl, Head of Public Affairs and Communication

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