The Bossard Group has partnered with the Feasibility Lab of the ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading universities, to run the Bossard Exploration Lab, which acts as a bridge between research, technology and industrial practice.
From October 2024 to March 2025, more than 50 Bossard employees from all over the world came to the company’s headquarters in Zug to develop more than 30 project ideas and test their feasibility with the support of a large number of students from the Feasibility Lab. “Battery Retrofit” was the first promising project to make it to the industrialisation phase. This is a rechargeable battery for efficient and sustainable use in Bossard’s SmartBin products.
“With the Bossard Exploration Lab, we are creating space for bright minds and bold ideas. Our approach is to constantly question the status quo and draw the right conclusions from it. ‘Battery Retrofit’ is a prime example of how we are helping to shape the future of ‘Smart’ Factory technology together with our employees and everyone involved at ETH Zurich,” says Daniel Bossard, CEO of the Bossard Group.
“Battery Retrofit” is being implemented in close collaboration with other industry partners. In the next phase, long-term measurements will be taken and initial studies on the charging infrastructure will be conducted. The roll out is planned for early 2026.
New technology leads to cost savings
Bossard’s SmartBins are intelligent containers for automated warehouse management of B and C parts containing sensors, wireless modules and microcontrollers. They require a reliable power supply – one that is battery operated to enable wireless and flexible use. The SmartBin cloud systems record the customer’s inventory several times a day and transmit the data wirelessly to the IIoT cloud, where they are further processed in ARIMS – Bossard’s in-house solution. This efficiency is made possible by energy saving electronics developed by the company with special firmware that allows operation with a single battery for up to five years – a world class peak.
As part of the Bossard Exploration Lab, the current battery of Bossard’s SmartBins was scrutinised, as it has to be disposed of after five years of operation. For the future power supply, the so called lithium iron phosphate battery technology (LiFePO4 rechargeable batteries) has proved to be useful, especially as it produces significant benefits for Bossard’s SmartBin products. A key advantage is the longer service life. The batteries are recharged after up to three years and the total service life is 20 years.
“The lithium iron phosphate batteries are ideally suited for the Bossard SmartBin products because, in addition to their longer service life, they offer high safety, low self-discharge and stable performance,” says Urs Güttinger, chief technology officer, who coordinated the Bossard Exploration Lab. Rechargeable batteries reduce battery costs in Bossard’s SmartBins by more than 50%.
Sustainability as a fundamental factor
At Bossard, sustainability is not just a promise, but an integral part of our mission to promote long-term, sustainable growth while having a positive impact on the environment and society. In line with the climate targets defined in the “Strategy 200” – the company will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2031 – Bossard is on track to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% by this point and to reach the target of net zero emissions by 2040.
“The rechargeable batteries reduce battery waste and thus make an essential contribution to achieving our sustainability goals. CO2 emissions will be reduced by 16% overall,” emphasizes Tabea Bürgler, vice-president sustainability. More than 100,000 SmartBin Cloud units worldwide are currently affected, with their empty batteries being replaced with LiFePO4 rechargeable batteries. In addition, the LiFePO4 rechargeable batteries contain hardly any critical metals such as cobalt or nickel, which improve their environmental footprint.
The ETH Feasibility Lab
Innovative and groundbreaking ideas are often accompanied by uncertainty – both companies and universities find it difficult to deal with such ideas flexibly and efficiently in the early stages. This is precisely where the Feasibility Lab, a method developed by ETH, comes in. Through project-based work, risky innovation approaches are tested in a structured manner and suitable ETH experts are involved. Students act as initiators, share knowledge and work with companies to promote ideas from the initial concept to the MVP – in a practical, creative and future-oriented way. Further information on the Feasibility Lab can be found here.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
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