Empa researchers from the Cellulose and Wood Materials laboratory have now developed a bio-based material that cleverly avoids this compromise. Not only is it completely biodegradable, it is also tear-resistant and has versatile functional properties. All this with minimal processing steps and without chemicals – you can even eat it.
Interdisciplinary research institute of the ETH Domain. Empa conducts cutting-edge materials and technology research.
Empa - a Research Institute of the ETH Domain As an interdisciplinary research institute of the ETH Domain, Empa links cutting-edge research in materials science and technology to practical applications with the goal of tackling the primary challenges facing industry and society.
A new Empa analysis now shows that many of these are already laid down in key EU legislation. Consistently implemented, SSbD thus helps companies to ensure regulatory compliance for innovations at an early stage, thereby avoiding costly missteps. Including green strategies during development of innovations is advantageous for companies.
The Empa-Akademie serves as a platform for this knowledge and technology transfer and aims at building bridges between academia, industry and the public at large.
Empa researchers have developed innovative sound absorbers made of mineral foams. Not only are they significantly thinner than conventional materials, they can also be designed specifically for different frequencies. They have now been tested for the first time in a driveway in the city of Zurich to dampen street noise.
Researchers like to measure things – including their own performance. On this page we assemble facts and figures about Empa that might be worth knowing. For instance, in 2025 Empa researchers and engineers published over 850 scientific papers and filed 11 new patent applications. By the end of the year, over 120 projects funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), about 65 ...