PANATERE has officially inaugurated Switzerland’s first solar furnaces for the production of 100% recycled steel, marking a global first in sustainable metallurgy. The ceremony took place on October 3, 2025, in the presence of local and regional authorities.
More than 200 guests gathered at PANATERE’s La Chaux-de-Fonds site to witness this milestone in circular manufacturing. The new technology combines concentrated solar energy with recycled raw materials to produce fully recycled, traceable, and competitive stainless steels and copper alloys — all with a near-zero carbon footprint.
Two operational solar demonstrators
The site now operates two patented solar demonstrators:
- 30 kW large-scale solar furnace — Featuring a 137 m² heliostat and a 9.8 m concentrator, this system reaches temperatures up to 1,700 °C. It can melt between 50 and 100 kg of steel in a single batch, depending on the alloy, using an automated solar tracking system.
- 5 kW compact solar furnace — Designed for urban and local applications, this unit reaches 2,000 °C for rapid melting of small steel quantities.
Both furnaces integrate advanced safety features, including weather sensors, automatic shutters, and emergency stops, while specialized staff training ensures optimal operation
A high-level inauguration ceremony
Before symbolically “unplugging the power cord” to mark the official opening, Raphaël Broye (CEO of PANATERE) passionately presented the project. He was joined by key speakers:
- Ms. Ilinka Guyot, Municipal Councillor of La Chaux-de-Fonds, highlighted the role of circular economy and local value chains.
- Mr. Laurent Favre, Neuchâtel State Councillor, emphasized the strategic importance of securing metal supplies for regional industries.
- Mr. Gilles Flamant, Emeritus Research Director at CNRS and former head of the Odeillo solar furnace, discussed concentrated solar power as a tool for energy sovereignty.
Guests then explored the furnaces and participated in workshops on circular economy, recycling, and technological innovation, followed by a networking reception.
A response to sovereignty and sustainability challenges
Switzerland currently imports around 140,000 tons of high-performance steel annually. PANATERE’s solar furnaces demonstrate that local, low-carbon production is both feasible and competitive, reducing carbon emissions by a factor of 165 compared to conventional methods — while boosting national industrial autonomy.
« It took us over five years to develop these solar furnaces. Today, we prove that sustainable, competitive, and regional industrial production is achievable, ” said Raphaël Broye, CEO of PANATERE.
Based in Saignelégier, Panatere is a Jura-based SME that is a pioneer in the processing and recycling of strategic metals. Its director, Raphaël Broye, is also part of our anniversary campaign, “15 years, 15 faces.” This initiative was launched to highlight the personalities who are shaping the Swiss cleantech ecosystem. Read the full portrait.
