Synhelion is a spin-off start-up from the prestigious ETH Zurich founded in 2016 and a global pioneer in the field of sustainable solar fuels. It has discovered a new innovative solution using high-temperature solar heat to convert CO₂ and water into synthetic fuels.
Synhelion’s solar fuels are a climate-friendly substitute to fossil fuels, enabling sustainable transportation. Moreover, their fuels are renewable and fully compatible with conventional internal combustion engines, aircraft engines, and existing fuel infrastructure. From 2023 onward, Synhelion will produce next-generation synthetic fuels directly with solar heat. This direct use of solar heat offers improved efficiency for synthetic fuel production.
The company’s unique technology converts concentrated solar heat into the hottest existing process heat on the market. This makes it possible to drive an unprecedented number of industrial processes such as fuel production and cement manufacturing with solar heat. Synhelion already works with renowned international partners such as Lufthansa Group, Wood, Eni, CEMEX, and Zurich Airport.
Moonshot, as well as other investors of Series A funding, have invested in Synhelion at a valuation of CHF 62 million.
Synhelion’s recent investors have a strong track record and extensive knowledge in their respective industries. Working together, those partners will empower Synhelion to produce solar fuels at unprecedented low costs that are competitive with fossil fuels. This will make a significant joint contribution to tackling the climate crisis. The list of investors, who support the company alongside Moonshot include:
• SMS group, a global leading partner in the metals industry and expert in the design, construction, and operation of industrial plants. SMS group is renowned worldwide for its future-oriented technologies and outstanding services for the metals industry.
• CEMEX Ventures focuses on helping to solve the main challenges and to capitalize on the opportunity areas in the construction ecosystem through sustainable solutions. CEMEX Ventures has created an open and collaborative platform to lead the green revolution of the construction industry by engaging startups, entrepreneurs, universities, and other relevant actors to tackle the industry’s toughest challenges and shape tomorrow’s value ecosystem.
• Switzerland's largest automobile importer, AMAG Group, is also a partner and investor of Synhelion. The AMAG Group aims at becoming climate-neutral in its business operations by 2025 and has the ambition to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint by 2040.
With its solar fuel technology, Synhelion offers a sustainable and economically viable alternative to fossil fuels, and thus unlocks a future of clean transportation.
