This is our history.

A vision coming true.

From theory to fuel production

It all started with a crazy idea at ETH Zurich. What if we could reverse combustion? The idea worked – at first on paper, then in the lab, and finally in the field. In 2016, Synhelion was founded to bring solar fuels to market. With our pioneering technology, we want to create a global impact and effectively reduce CO2 emissions.

Solar fuels enable industries to drastically lower their immediate carbon footprint and develop a roadmap toward complete carbon neutrality. In 2023, we will launch the world’s first industrial solar fuel production plant. Within the next ten years, we are planning to ramp up production capacity to produce 875 million liters of solar fuel per year, enough to cover about half of Switzerland’s jet fuel consumption.

February 2023

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded US$ 3.2 million to a joint project from CEMEX, Sandia Labs, and Synhelion, which aims to decarbonize cement production.

December 2022

Synhelion raises CHF 22 million investment to drive the scaling of solar fuel production. SWISS’ first investment underpins its commitment to bringing Synhelion’s fuels to market.

September 2022

Synhelion starts construction of DAWN – the world’s first industrial demonstration plant to produce solar fuels using solar heat.

August 2022

Synhelion is the first company in the world to succeed in producing syngas on an industrial scale using only solar heat as energy source.

March 2022

SWISS is going to be the world’s first airline to use Synhelion solar fuel.

February 2022

Synhelion and CEMEX produce the world’s first solar cement.

November 2021

Synhelion successfully closes its CHF 16 million Series B funding round.

October 2021

Switzerland’s largest automobile importer AMAG Group makes its first investment in Synhelion with its climate and innovation fund.

September 2021

Synhelion pushes ahead with internationalization and acquires German expert in concentrated solar power technology Heliokon GmbH, which becomes Synhelion Germany GmbH.

May 2021

To further accelerate the path to market maturity, we partnered up with Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering across energy and the built environment.

May 2020

Research Collaboration Agreement with CEMEX, one of the largest building materials companies in the world, to reduce CO2 emissions in the cement manufacturing process.

April 2020

Memorandum of Understanding signed with Zurich Airport for fuel uptake from first demo plant at production cost.

April 2020

Start of collaboration with Lufthansa Group and its subsidiaries SWISS and Edelweiss to accelerate the market entry of solar aviation fuels (SAF).

March 2020

The 250 kW Synhelion solar receiver pilot at the DLR Synlight reaches world record outlet temperatures beyond 1’500°C.

June 2019

The solar mini-refinery at ETH Zurich produces the world’s first carbon-neutral fuel from ambient air and sunlight.

July 2018

Merger with Sunredox GmbH, contributing extensive expertise in reactor technology.

June 2017

Joint Collaboration Agreement with Eni to industrialize Synhelion’s fuel technology.

February 2017

Synhelion develops the idea for its breakthrough technology.

May 2016

Synhelion SA is founded.

April 2014

World’s first solar kerosene from H2O and CO2 in the lab at ETH Zurich.

March 2010

First lab demonstration of syngas production in a solar reactor at ETH Zurich.

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