AVAG
AVAG Umwelt AG is a Swiss regional waste-management, recycling, and energy company serving approximately 130 municipalities plus commercial, industrial, and private customers in the Bernese Oberland, operating nine disposal centers and specialized facilities including the KVA Thun waste-to-energy plant and Biomassezentrum Spiez.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersThun, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What AVAG does
AVAG Umwelt AG is a privately held Swiss regional waste-management, recycling, and energy company headquartered in Thun, Canton of Bern. Founded in approximately 1972, the company serves roughly 130 municipalities in the Bernese Oberland region, along with commercial, industrial, and individual customers, operating a network of nine Entsorgungszentren (regional disposal centers) and four specialized facilities: the Kehrichtverwertungsanlage Thun (KVA Thun) waste-to-energy plant, the Biomassezentrum Spiez biomass center, the Deponie Jaberg landfill, and the Recyclingzentrum Halle 683. The underlying technology stack combines waste-to-energy combustion producing electricity, process steam, and district heating; biomass gasification with anaerobic digestion and biogas upgrading through combined heat and power units; photovoltaic installations on disposal-center rooftops; and Power-to-Heat (P2H) grid-balancing technology deployed via the Future Hub Region Thun AG joint venture. In 2025, AVAG processed 416,000 tonnes of waste and delivered 373 million kWh of energy.
The business model is built on multiple, layered revenue streams: per-tonne disposal and treatment fees (e.g., CHF 175/t for commercial waste at KVA Thun, CHF 150–335/t for specialty waste), recurring municipal service contracts covering waste-bag fee management, coordinated recycling programs, and hazardous-waste collection (a Kehrichtsackgebührenmodell administered across ~100 municipalities at no cost to the municipality), energy sales (electricity, district heating, process steam) into regional grids, container rental and transport logistics using an owned fleet, and retail compost and soil products from the Biomassezentrum Spiez. AVAG monetizes its vertical integration through the Oberland Energie AG subsidiary (operating the Biomassezentrum Spiez in partnership with BKW FMB Energie AG) and joint ventures Fernwärme Thun AG (district heating distribution, founded 2018) and Future Hub Region Thun AG (P2H grid stability, founded 2022). Long-term contractual relationships with ~130 municipalities and the cantonal licensing regime create regulatory and switching-cost barriers to entry, while go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales, an annual municipal outreach event series (AVAG besucht die Gemeinden), and a digital customer portal for 24/7 self-service.
AVAG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AVAG
- Legal name
- AVAG Umwelt AG
- Website
- https://avag.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- AVAG Umwelt AG is a Swiss regional waste-management, recycling, and energy company serving approximately 130 municipalities plus commercial, industrial, and private customers in the Bernese Oberland, operating nine disposal centers and specialized facilities including the KVA Thun waste-to-energy plant and Biomassezentrum Spiez.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AVAG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Waste Management and Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators (562213), Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622), Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal (562211), Waste Collection (5621)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Waste-to-Energy (Incineration/RDF) & Landfill Gas Recovery (IMAIAFAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Landfill Operations & Closure/Post-Closure Care (Capping, Leachate, Monitoring) (EUAIACAM), Industrial Hazardous Waste Services (Manufacturing, Refineries, Metals, Automotive) (EUAIAFAG), WtE Plant Development, EPC & O&M Services (Project delivery and operations) (EUAAAKAK), Waste, Recycling & Circularity (On-site Programs) (BPABAAAL)
Keywords
Where AVAG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Thun
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
AVAG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Waste disposal and treatment fees: Per-tonne fees charged to municipalities, businesses, and individuals for disposal, recycling, and treatment of various waste streams at AVAG facilities. Fees vary by waste type (e.g., CHF 175/t for commercial waste at KVA Thun, CHF 150–335/t for specialty waste). Constitutes the primary revenue driver for the company.
- Municipal service contracts: Recurring service contracts with ~130 municipalities for waste collection coordination, recycling programs, hazardous waste collection, and municipal waste bag/mark fee management (Kehrichtsackgebührenmodell). AVAG acts as coordinator and financial processor for municipal waste fee systems.
- Energy sales: Revenue from sale of electricity (produced at KVA Thun and biomass plants), district heating (Fernwärme Thun AG), and process steam to regional grid operators and industrial customers. AVAG delivered 373 million kWh of energy in 2025.
- Container and bin rental/logistics: Fees for container rental, fleet logistics, and waste transport services to commercial and industrial customers, supported by AVAG's own vehicle fleet and partner network.
- Compost and soil product sales: Sale of quality compost and soil products (garden compost, topsoil, potting mixes) produced at Biomassezentrum Spiez, priced per tonne or per bag (e.g., CHF 90/t for garden compost).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AVAG standard waste bag (17L) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sperrgut (bulky waste) mark |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | KVA Thun disposal fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Deponie Jaberg tipping fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Biomassezentrum Spiez disposal fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Biomassezentrum Spiez product sales |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Special waste / liquid waste at KVA Thun |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SSSA Jaberg fees |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Administrative fees |
| Other | Monthly | Coordinated waste bag model management (municipal service) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
AVAG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AVAG Umwelt AG provides integrated waste management, recycling, and energy recovery services to approximately 130 municipalities and commercial and industrial customers in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The company operates nine regional disposal centers and four specialized facilities (KVA Thun waste-to-energy plant, Biomassezentrum Spiez, Deponie Jaberg landfill, and Recyclingzentrum Halle 683) that together processed 416,000 tonnes of waste and delivered 373 million kWh of energy in 2025. Core offerings include per-tonne waste disposal and treatment, coordinated municipal collection systems, district heating supply via joint venture Fernwärme Thun AG, and grid-balancing services via joint venture Future Hub Region Thun AG.
Product overview
AVAG Umwelt AG operates as a regional waste management, recycling, and energy company serving approximately 130 municipalities and their populations, plus commercial and industrial customers in the Bern Oberland region of Switzerland. The company operates a portfolio of nine disposal centers and four specialized facilities (KVA Thun waste-to-energy plant, Biomassezentrum Spiez, Deponie Jaberg landfill, and Recyclingzentrum Halle 683). Core services include waste-to-energy conversion producing electricity, district heating, and process steam; biomass processing producing biogas, compost, and renewable energy; and comprehensive recycling services. The company offers a digital Customer Portal (AVAG-Kundenportal) for online order management and waste statistics. For municipalities, AVAG provides coordinated collection systems for plastics, textiles, glass, metals, paper, and special waste, plus the Kehrichtsackgebührenmodell trash bag fee system. The company participates in joint ventures Future Hub Region Thun AG (grid stability/Power-to-Heat) and Fernwärme Thun AG (district heating distribution). Key subsidiaries include Oberland Energie AG (Biomassezentrum Spiez operation). The portfolio is structured around regional infrastructure facilities, municipal service packages, and digital customer tools rather than a unified software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 373 million kWh of energy delivered in 2025
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AVAG
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AVAG technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
AVAG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Future Hub Region Thun AGcoreJoint venture established in 2022 between AVAG Umwelt AG and Energie Thun AG to address grid stability challenges in the Thun region. Uses Power-to-Heat (P2H) technology to convert surplus electricity from renewable sources into district heating, simultaneously supporting grid stability and district heating supply from KVA Thun.
- Fernwärme Thun AGcoreJoint venture founded in 2018 by AVAG Umwelt AG, Energie Thun AG, and NetZulg AG to produce and distribute district heating from KVA Thun waste-to-energy heat. AVAG provides waste combustion heat; Energie Thun AG and NetZulg AG distribute to end customers. Significant cross-sector integration closing a regional energy loop.
- Energie Thun AGcoreEnergy Thun AG partners with AVAG in two joint ventures: Fernwärme Thun AG (district heating) and Future Hub Region Thun AG (grid balancing). Provides local energy distribution and grid expertise.
- NetZulg AGminorNetZulg AG is a co-founding partner of Fernwärme Thun AG, responsible for district heating distribution in its respective area.
- BKW FMB Energie AGminorBKW FMB Energie AG is co-owner of Oberland Energie AG (OEAG), the subsidiary operating Biomassezentrum Spiez. OEAG is a joint venture between AVAG Umwelt AG and BKW FMB Energie AG.
- Oberland Energie AG (OEAG)coreSubsidiary of AVAG Umwelt AG and BKW FMB Energie AG operating Biomassezentrum Spiez. Converts green waste and wood waste into CO2-neutral energy (electricity, district heating, process steam) and quality compost. Delivers biogas to two CHP units.
- Sortiergesellschaft SOGES AGminorSOGES AG in Uttigen is a partner company for Recyclist EFZ apprenticeship training and possibly sorting/recycling operations. AVAG apprentices in recycling may train at SOGES.
- TexaidminorOne of two textile collection organizations with whom AVAG has framework contracts for coordinated municipal textile collection. Texaid provides collection containers and handles textile sorting and recycling. ~90 municipalities participate.
- Tell-TexminorSecond textile collection organization with AVAG framework contracts for coordinated municipal textile collection. Tell-Tex offers above-ground and underground container systems. ~90 municipalities benefit from these framework contracts.
- InnoRecycling AGminorSwiss plastic recycler and partner in AVAG's coordinated plastic collection system (koordinierte Kunststoffsammlung) developed with Canton Bern and multiple municipalities. Certified system compatible with national 'Bring Plastic Back' program.
- Kanton Bern (Canton of Bern)minorAVAG collaborated with Canton Bern, multiple municipalities, and InnoRecycling AG to develop the canton-uniform coordinated plastic collection system. Canton provides regulatory framework and endorsement.
- Bring Plastic BackminorNational Swiss plastic recycling program. AVAG's coordinated plastic collection system is nationally compatible with the 'Bring Plastic Back' program, enabling consistent collection standards across Switzerland.
- Amt für Wasser und Abfall des Kantons Bern (AWA)coreCantonal water and waste authority of Bern. Issues EGI (Entsorgungsgenehmigung) permits for AVAG facilities and customer waste disposal. AVAG refers customers to AWA for permit applications. AVAG participates in AWA's Abfallwirtschaft Region Bern working group and Stop Plastic campaign.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AVAG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI): Global EPC and O&M provider for waste-to-energy and biomass plants. Relevant as a technology provider and operator of comparable facilities to AVAG's KVA Thun and Biomassezentrum Spiez, and as a potential partner/competitor on plant modernization.
- Martin GmbH für Umwelt und Energietechnik: German engineering and plant operator for WtE, biomass, and flue-gas cleaning. Comparable to AVAG on plant operations and energy-from-waste technology, though operating in a different national market.
Direct peers
- KEBAG (Kehrichtbeseitigungs-AG): Operates the KVA Emmenspitz waste-to-energy plant serving multiple municipalities in Canton Solothurn. Comparable Swiss regional WtE operator with municipal-customer structure and energy recovery (electricity, district heat) similar to AVAG's KVA Thun.
- ERZ Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich: City of Zürich's integrated waste management and recycling utility operating disposal centers, recycling facilities, and a waste-to-energy plant. Same integrated business model (collection, recycling, WtE), Swiss regulatory environment, and B2B + municipal customer mix as AVAG.
- Müllverwertungsanlage Bern (MVB) / Energie aus Berner Abfall: Operates the KVA Bern Forsthaus waste-to-energy plant in the same Canton Bern, directly overlapping with AVAG's KVA Thun on municipal-commercial residual waste, steam supply, and district-heat candidates. Closest functional competitor in the same regulatory regime.
Broad incumbents
- Veolia Environmental Services: Global waste management and environmental services group with collection, treatment, recycling, and WtE activities. Comparable to AVAG across the full waste-value-chain service portfolio, though at much greater scale and geographic breadth.
- EEW Energy from Waste: Largest waste-to-energy operator in Germany/Europe with 18 facilities producing electricity, district heat, and process steam. Relevant broad incumbent comparable to AVAG on WtE operations, energy output, and combined heat-and-power business model.
- Suez Recycling and Recovery Switzerland: Swiss subsidiary of the global Suez group active in waste collection, recycling, and treatment in Switzerland. Provides a broader-market comparable to AVAG's collection and recycling services and a potential competitor for industrial accounts.
- Remondis Schweiz: Swiss operations of the Remondis group providing waste management, recycling, and hazardous-waste services. Comparable to AVAG in serving industrial and commercial customers with multi-stream waste solutions and on-site programs.
Regional players
- Limeco: Public utility in Canton Zürich combining waste incineration (KVA Hinwil), wastewater treatment, and energy recovery. Comparable Swiss integrated waste-energy utility model, though operating in a different geography from AVAG.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AVAG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AVAG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
AVAG subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
AVAG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AVAG M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AVAG
What does AVAG do?
AVAG Umwelt AG provides integrated waste management, recycling, and energy recovery services to approximately 130 municipalities and commercial and industrial customers in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The company operates nine regional disposal centers and four specialized facilities (KVA Thun waste-to-energy plant, Biomassezentrum Spiez, Deponie Jaberg landfill, and Recyclingzentrum Halle 683) that together processed 416,000 tonnes of waste and delivered 373 million kWh of energy in 2025. Core offerings include per-tonne waste disposal and treatment, coordinated municipal collection systems, district heating supply via joint venture Fernwärme Thun AG, and grid-balancing services via joint venture Future Hub Region Thun AG.
Is AVAG a public or private company?
AVAG is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was AVAG founded?
AVAG was founded in 1972. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is AVAG based?
AVAG is headquartered in Thun, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does AVAG make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Waste disposal and treatment fees are the primary driver. The others are municipal service contracts, energy sales, container and bin rental/logistics and compost and soil product sales.
Who are AVAG's main competitors?
Others on record are Hitachi Zosen Inova (HZI) and Martin GmbH für Umwelt und Energietechnik. Direct peers are KEBAG (Kehrichtbeseitigungs-AG), ERZ Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich and Müllverwertungsanlage Bern (MVB) / Energie aus Berner Abfall. Broad incumbents are Veolia Environmental Services, EEW Energy from Waste, Suez Recycling and Recovery Switzerland and Remondis Schweiz. Limeco is listed as a regional player.
Does AVAG have an API?
No public API is recorded for AVAG.
What industry is AVAG in?
AVAG's product category is Waste Management and Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAFAK, Waste-to-Energy (Incineration/RDF) & Landfill Gas Recovery, with a secondary code of EUAIACAM, Landfill Operations & Closure/Post-Closure Care (Capping, Leachate, Monitoring). Its NAICS code is 562213 and its SIC code is 4953.