As the world’s largest producer, importer and consumer of energy and the biggest investor in renewable energy and cleantech, China bears a significant responsibility of empowering the energy transition and meeting its climate commitments to a greener economy.  In 2022, China spent USD 546 billion on investments that included solar and wind energy, electric vehicles and batteries. The European Union was second to China with USD 180 billion in clean energy investments. In its 14th Five-Year Plan released in June 2022, China has set the target to generate 33% of its electricity from renewables in 2025. China aims to reach peak carbon emissions in 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060, spawning substantial innovation and entrepreneur opportunities in this largest cleantech investor country.

 

Opportunities for Swiss energy and environment startups in the Chinese market come from, but are not limited to, the following subsectors:

 

1. Renewable Energy: China has been investing actively in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydropower and hydrogen. The country is already the world’s largest producer of solar energy and is expected to significantly increase capacity in the coming years.

 

2. Energy Efficiency: As China continues to industrialize and urbanize, energy demand is increasing rapidly. The country is therefore seeking the right technology to improve energy efficiency in various sectors such as real estate, transportation, and the manufacturing industry.

 

3. Energy Storage: As renewable energy sources like solar and wind are intermittent, energy storage technologies are critical to ensuring a stable and reliable supply of energy. A pivot to hydrogen as well as to carbon capture and storage would be instrumental. Meanwhile, China is already the world’s largest market for EVs, and a unique value proposition in battery and fuel cells would shine among giants.

 

4. Environment technology: China is the largest and fastest-growing emerging market for environmental technologies. The country is facing significant water scarcity and pollution challenges, prompting the implementation of stricter regulations to steer towards a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable development path. This propels government and enterprises to seek technologies and solutions in air pollution control, waste management and recycling, water and wastewater treatment, soil remediation, etc.

 

5. New Materials: applications of new materials in China’s textile, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and healthcare sectors is still evolving and expanding, with growing opportunities for companies. The applicability, quality, sustainability, and novelty are the four main focuses. The size of China’s new materials market is expected to continue expanding beyond RMB 12 trillion (approximately USD 1.8 trillion) by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 14%.

 

In collaboration with Innosuisse, Swissnex in China is launching a startup program in the energy & environment sector in 2023, where our Swiss entrepreneurs can grasp this unprecedented opportunity, dive into this dynamic while complex landscape and tackle climate challenges with innovative solutions. We will support you in building your local knowledge, developing industry stakeholder relations, and fostering match-making partnerships. Most importantly, you could be inspired to be a game-changing innovator in the global climate challenge.

 

Information and knowledge in specific energy & environment sector

• 1-on-1 coaching and market research support

• Regulation and IPR consulting

*You are encouraged to finish the above consulting service before your trip to China

 

Network and match-making

• Connection with local partners, suppliers and investors

• Business meetings in China

 

Marketing and promotion

• Media exposure

• Demo opportunity at industry tech shows

• Participation in roadshow

 

 Travel stipend

• 3000 CHF for market validation

• 6000 CHF for market entry

 

Others

• Information and guidance on business incorporation, tax, human resources etc.

• Free office desk and infrastructure at Swissnex in China

 

You are eligible to apply as long as your startup is in the Innosuisse coaching program or have been granted with Innosuisse startup label within 3 years.

If you’re interested, please contact our startup manager Ms. Felicia Wang [email protected], or directly fill in the application form here.

 

Learn more about China’s energy transition here.