Overview
Empa (Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt / Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) is a research institute of the Swiss federal government headquartered in Dübendorf. Empa conducts cutting-edge, application-oriented research in materials science and technology with a mission of “Materials and Technologies for a Sustainable Future.”
The institute is actively developing innovative bioplastic and biodegradable polymer solutions that support the transition to a circular, sustainable economy while maintaining high performance standards.
Core Research Areas in Bioplastics
Biodegradable Polymers:
- Development of fully biodegradable materials for diverse applications
- Research into degradation mechanisms and performance characteristics
- Certification and testing of biodegradable products
Cellulose-Based Materials:
- Processing of cellulose from wood and plant-based resources
- 3D printing and complex shape formation of cellulose bioplastics
- Applications in precision microelectronics insulation and medical implants
- Energy-efficient manufacturing routes for cellulose-based materials
Advanced Epoxy Resins:
- Development of flame-retardant epoxy resins
- Chemical recyclability and reprocessing capabilities
- Easy manufacturing and processing techniques
- Applications in electronics and composite materials
Recycled Electronics:
- Biodegradable printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Sustainable alternatives for electronics end-of-life challenges
- Integration of bioplastics into electronic component design
Cellulose & Wood Materials Lab (Lab 302)
Focus: Understanding naturally occurring structures in wood-based resources and developing energy-efficient routes to high-performance materials
Capabilities:
- Advanced processing of cellulose fibers
- Complex shape formation through specialized techniques
- Material characterization and testing
- Scalability studies for industrial applications
Applications:
- Precision insulation in microelectronics
- Personalized medical implants
- Structural composites
- Protective packaging materials
Research Objectives
Empa’s bioplastics research supports:
- Circular Economy: Developing materials that can be recycled or biodegrade naturally
- Resource Efficiency: Utilizing renewable wood and plant resources sustainably
- Performance Parity: Creating bioplastics with properties matching conventional polymers
- Sustainability: Reducing environmental impact across material lifecycles
- Industrial Applicability: Ensuring research outputs can be scaled to commercial production
Institutional Recognition
As a research institute of the ETH Domain (Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology), Empa:
- Conducts federally-funded research
- Partners with industry for technology transfer
- Publishes peer-reviewed research
- Trains next-generation materials scientists
Last updated: February 27, 2026