July 16, 2024
TOSA Swisstech, founded by Sawsane Queloz, is an innovative company based in the Canton of Jura, Switzerland. The company specializes in creating composite bipolar plates for fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity.
TOSA Swisstech’s solution is groundbreaking due to its use of composite materials to replace traditional metal bipolar plates in fuel cells, significantly reducing their weight and cost while enhancing durability and efficiency. These innovations make clean energy more accessible and economically viable, driving advancements in sectors like transportation and energy storage.
The environmental impact of this technology is also significant, as it promotes broader adoption of hydrogen fuel cells, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately contributing to a more sustainable energy infrastructure, economic growth, and technological advancements.
Queloz worked in the metallurgical industry and later in research at the FHNW in Aargau, in the Polymer Materials Research Center. While working as a researcher, she was involved in various projects for industry customers. During this time, a customer’s interest in developing a new generation of fuel cells sparked the idea for TOSA Swisstech.
Queloz chose the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Jura to develop TOSA Swisstech due to its robust support network and strategic location. The park offered essential resources, connections, and encouragement during the company’s early stages. Additionally, the reach history of microtechnology in the Jura region, along with the presence of innovation organizations and economic promotion services, provided fertile ground for TOSA Swisstech’s growth.
The support network within the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Jura played a crucial role in TOSA Swisstech’s success. “Being in contact with many people who supported us during difficult times and encouraged us was invaluable,” Queloz notes.
In an interview with the Economic Promotion of the Canton of Jura, Queloz highlighted how her company leverages the region’s long-standing tradition in precision engineering and micromanufacturing to produce components and export them internationally. Being in the Jura also provided her with proximity to innovation organizations and economic promotion services. When the company wanted to launch the results of this collaborative project to their customers, they received support from the Economic Promotion of the Canton of Jura.
Moreover, Queloz won the Tech4Impact program from the Switzerland Innovation foundation which supports projects that contribute to one of the six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This support provided the company with a significant boost “both financially and in terms of visibility, it provided us with a great platform to grow”, said Queloz.
TOSA Swisstech is now ready to move into an industrial space in Délemont, Jura, to start its first production line. This marks a significant milestone for the company, transitioning from development to full-scale production. The move signifies the realization of a vision that began in a research lab and has now blossomed into a thriving business. TOSA Swisstech’s next steps will focus on commercializing their composite bipolar plates and expanding their presence in the clean energy market.
TOSA Swisstech’s story is a testament to the success of the Basel Area and Canton of Jura, in nurturing and growing innovative startups, highlighting the region’s ability to support groundbreaking technology and entrepreneurial ventures.
The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in Allschwil in the canton of Basel-Landschaft is set to be expanded from 50,000 square meters to 115,000 square meters by 2028.
Building and construction account for 37% of global emissions. What if the choice of your office space could make a difference? Meet HORTUS.
Discover what makes a workspace innovative, how certain workspaces accelerate innovation and get to know Switzerland’s prime example.