Bühler Group, Uzwil, Switzerland, on 22 May officially opened the CUBIC innovation campus after a construction period of 20 months and an investment of about CHF50 million. “Together with our customers, partners from industry and science, academia, and start-ups, we are using the CUBIC to conduct research into new and sustainable solutions that we can apply to successful business ventures. And, we are taking a step forward here in providing modern training and development,” said Stefan Scheiber, Bühler Group CEO.

The three-story CUBIC, which includes eight application centres, is designed to accommodate up to 300 people and is, in itself, a model of sustainability and innovation. The building uses 15% less energy than comparable structures of its size. Its smart electrochromic glass facade was coated with assistance of equipment from Bühler Leybold Optics. This enables Bühler to slash energy consumption for heating and air-conditioning by as much as 50%. Building sensors measure carbon dioxide levels, air humidity, temperature, and flow of people to continuously fine-tune the functionality and energy consumption of the CUBIC. On the basis of this smart building concept, the company expects to be able to sustainably optimise the operation of the building. The CUBIC complies with the sustainability standards of Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design), which certified the structure by awarding it a gold rating.

In terms of its design concept, the new innovation campus is integrated into the Bühler site in Uzwil as the bridge that links the development, engineering, and design teams with the modernised application centres and the factory. Every year, the company invests a sum in the three-digit millions in R&D. In 2018, this amounted to CHF145 million, or 4.4% of turnover. www.buhlergroup.com
 

Outside view of the CUBIC which houses a large auditorium (Right) as well as application centres, innovation centres and other extensive research facilities
 

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