FHNW Initiates Collaboration with Go Circular in Life Science and BaselCircular
20.01.2026 | from University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northweste
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Image rights: FHNW
Photographer: KI-generiert (OpenAI DALL·E)
20.01.2026, The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, in conjunction with the non-profit organisation Go Circular in Life Science (GCiLS) and the public-private partnership BaselCircular, announces a strategic collaboration to strengthen a Centre of Excellence for Circular Economy in the Life Sciences sector. The initiative aims to promote circular solutions from concept to concrete implementation throughout the entire value chain of the regional Life Sciences industry.
Insights from Research and Practice
GCiLS, on behalf of BaselCircular, has published the study 'Towards a Circular Life Sciences in Basel,' available online, highlighting key areas of action with significant impact. 'Based on the study findings, we are developing concrete projects for the entire ecosystem at the Centre of Excellence, supported by 31 action fields and over 130 ideas along the value chain, serving as a sandbox for circular innovations in the healthcare sector,' states Emmanuel Oertlé, Chairman of the Executive Committee of GCiLS.
Partnership with Complementary Strengths
The coordination office of GCiLS is located at the Institute for Ecopreneurship at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW. BaselCircular ensures the basic funding of the initiative for the coming years while simultaneously providing access to a broader Circular Economy network in the Basel region.
'Circularity doesn’t work in isolation. With GCiLS as a neutral point of contact and the expertise from the university, we can accelerate implementation across the industry,' says Carole Tornay, Managing Director of BaselCircular.
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, based at the FHNW Campus Muttenz, contributes its scientific expertise, state-of- the-art methods, and laboratories. 'This creates optimal conditions to jointly develop, test, and scale solutions with the industry,' explains Marco Rupprich, Head of the Institute for Ecopreneurship and Research Group Leader for Sustainable Chemistry and Circular Economy at FHNW.
Three complementary strengths flow into the collaboration: GCiLS acts as an independent hub with direct ties to the industry and coordination expertise; the FHNW brings in scientific expertise and pilot facilities to test and scale technologies, while BaselCircular provides financial resources, regional networking, and partnerships. Additional partners are also invited to join the community.
Concrete Next Steps
Based on the analysis, the partners initiate thematic working groups focusing on industrial symbiosis, plastic recycling and take-back systems, sustainable laboratory consumables, as well as reuse and repair in medtech and hospitals, with the aim to jointly identify and implement pilot projects with the industry.
In addition, formats to promote the ecosystem and knowledge transfer are being developed, such as community events and a digital information hub that compiles best practices and Circular Economy initiatives.
Media Contact
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW
School of Life Sciences
Pascale Rippstein
Communication
T +41 61 228 56 31
kommunikation.lifesciences@fhnw.ch
Project Coordination FHNW and Contact for Go
Circular in Life Sciences
Olena Bolger
Coordination Co-Lead GCiLS / School of Life Sciences FHNW
T +41 61 228 58 13
olena.bolger@fhnw.ch
Contact BaselCircular
Carole Tornay
Managing Director BaselCircular
T +41 76 306 03 51
carole.tornay@baselcircular.ch
About Go Circular in Life Sciences (GCiLS)
GCiLS is a non-profit organisation bringing together stakeholders from the Swiss Life Sciences sector to develop, pilot, and scale practical circular solutions—for a Circular and Net-Zero future of the sector.
About BaselCircular
BaselCircular is a public-private partnership of the Canton of Basel-Stadt and the Eckenstein-Geigy Foundation, establishing an innovation ecosystem for Circular Economy in the Basel region.
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW teaches and conducts research along the entire value chain: With a focus on digitalisation and sustainability, it is committed to new preventive and therapeutic products, participates in the development of medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and contributes to innovative production processes, digitalisation in Life Sciences, and the development of resource- conserving technologies and processes in the environmental sector. Through its close cooperation with the industry, it is a central player in the Life Sciences.
Further information at www.fhnw.ch/lifesciences
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
FHNW
Dominik Lehmann
Head of Communication FHNW
Bahnhofstrasse 6
5210 Windisch
T +41 56 202 77 28
dominik.lehmann@fhnw.ch
www.fhnw.ch
Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: FHNW / Photographer: KI-generiert (OpenAI DALL·E)
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University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northweste
The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW is one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Switzerland, encompassing nine schools with Departments of Applied Psychology, Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Design and Art, Life Sciences, Music, Teacher Education, Social Work, Technology and Business.
The campuses of FHNW are located in the four sponsoring cantons of Aargau, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, and Solothurn. FHNW schools are engaged in teaching, research, continuing education, and services—innovative and practice-oriented.
The wide range of degree programs, proximity to practice, application- oriented and innovation-driven research, as well as a worldwide network make FHNW an attractive and diverse educational institution, a sought-after practice partner, and an attractive employer in Northwestern Switzerland. Graduates of FHNW are in high demand.
Note: The "About Us" text is taken from public sources or from the company profile on HELP.ch.
Source: University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northweste, Press release
Original article published on: FHNW startet Zusammenarbeit mit Go Circular in Life Science und BaselCircular