The next TecDays

The TecDay is a special occasion on which Swiss high school students can get in touch with experts in various scientific areas, have fun and hopefully also get interested in starting a career in science. They can choose among a multitude of modules in which experts will present a scientific topic in a way students can relate with, counteracting the belief that science is dry or something without everyday relevance. The next TecDays will take place in Sursee, Glarus, Neuchâtel and Locarno. The modul presented by ESM Foundation at the TecDay in Sursee will be “Rare Metals: Resources for the Future”, where students will learn about the importance of Critical […]

World Resources Forum 2019

Towards an integrated sustainable resource management The session at the WRF 2019 on October 23, 2019, organized by ESM Foundation, UNECE and EIT Raw Materials will center around the problem of supplying sufficient raw materials for a circular economy. The circular economy – necessary for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling the promises given in the Paris agreement – will require increasing amounts of raw materials, amongst others technological metals, to meet basic global needs such as clean energy, mobility and free access to information. A secure raw materials supply base is thus one of the basic conditions for sustainable development. At the same time, these raw materials have […]

Apply now for an internship at ESM Foundation!

ESM Foundation is looking for an intern in Resource Management for 2-3 months’ time.  ESM Foundation is dealing with critical resources and manages various projects on both national and international levels (such as mining, product design, recycling etc.). As our intern, you will get a thorough understanding of the foundation’s work, project management, critical resources and their significance for a sustainable future.  The workload will be 32-40 hours a week.  Requirements Fluent German and English, good communication and IT skills and interest for the topic of critical materials. Not necessary, but helpful is pre-existing knowledge in the area of raw materials. Starting date:  August 5, 2019 Remuneration: 2’000 Swiss francs per […]

IRTC Beijing 2019

IRTC is an international “Round Table” project on approaches towards assessing materials criticality, taking place in the form of workshops at international conferences. The results are consecutively published in the form of joint scientific papers and a Roadmap on Criticality for authorities. The project shall advance the research in criticality assessment, foster international exchange and education in the topic, identify common ground and differences, and raise awareness towards materials criticality, especially in industry. It shall also lay the cornerstone for a long-lasting international network of internationally leading experts. Awareness towards materials criticality, and its crucial role for a circular economy, shall be raised by creating visibility at established conference with […]

Sustainability and Second Life: Lithium and Cobalt Recycling

Lithium and cobalt are essential for lithium-ion-batteries, which are used in electric vehicles, electronics and electricity storage. As the supply for these minerals is not expected to meet the ever increasing demand, recycling rates for these minerals are very low. Why is this the case and are there solutions? The International Institute for Sustainable Development has published a webinar about those questions.