At IBSA, innovation and sustainability are the cornerstones of every initiative, with the aim of balancing business growth, respect for the local environment and community well-being.
This approach is reflected in the PQ4 Garaveggia District (i.e. CorPharma) Plan, officially approved by the cantonal authorities and the municipalities of Lugano and Collina d’Oro (Switzerland) in 2024.
As a result of a constant commitment to sustainability, the CorPharma district was created to integrate harmoniously into the surrounding area. The district currently includes:
The CorPharma district is located in the Pian Scairolo area, home to the largest concentration of commercial activities in Ticino and employing a large proportion of the Canton’s population. The perimeter of the CorPharma district was first defined in 2006 and covers 68,700 square meters, or 10% of the entire area.
The project represents a cutting-edge production and research hub, which promotes a model of continuous development, focused on enhancing and regenerating existing spaces without expanding into new ones. In the words of Christophe Almeida Direito, Sr. ESG & Real Estate Manager at IBSA: “Through CorPharma, IBSA is committed to upholding its values of sustainability, innovation and beauty, integrating them into a project that goes beyond the mere construction of buildings and which represents another significant step towards a responsible development close to the people”.
Within this framework, the construction of an underground tunnel is a key element in IBSA’s sustainability pathway. Designed for the automated transport of goods between the Headquarters warehouse and the cosmos manufacturing site, the 210-metre tunnel runs beneath a cantonal road. This innovative solution, implemented in June 2024, improves logistical efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
As explained by Samuele Tenca, Sr. Logistics Manager at IBSA: “Logistics optimisation was a central objective. Thanks to the new tunnel, internal flows are streamlined, with shorter transport times and increased safety. We also invested heavily in internal training and awareness, which was met with great enthusiasm by all staff, as it offered a valuable opportunity for growth and learning new technologies and working methods”.
By enabling the underground transfer of goods, the tunnel helps reduce road traffic on one of the busiest cantonal roads in Ticino and promotes safer and more efficient mobility. With an average of 350 pallets transported daily, this solution cuts the CO2 emissions associated with the transport of goods, and eases road congestion in the surrounding areas. Each pallet is identified by a unique barcode, automatically scanned along the route and integrated into the management software to enable real-time tracking and flow optimisation.
The construction of the tunnel was a complex two-year process, requiring interdisciplinary collaboration and combining diverse expertise with cutting-edge technological solutions, from not only a logistical, but also a mechatronics, automation and management perspective.
As pointed out by Andrea Speziali, Mechatronics Technician at IBSA: “We had to develop advanced technical solutions to ensure maximum efficiency and reliability. It was a real challenge, and we are proud to have successfully completed such a complex and multi-faceted project. We worked closely with operators, offering continuous training and listening to their feedback to tailor the system to daily operational needs. This helped foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, where technology is not seen as a barrier, but as a tool to improve everyone’s work”.
Stefano Piazza, Automation Manager at IBSA, concluded: “We also did important work from a management and IT point of view, integrating the system with our internal software to manage and track pallets. There were several dynamics and exceptions to take into consideration – one of the biggest challenges being the traffic peaks occurring in the early morning and at the end of the shift. The implementation of the tunnel is the result of an efficient cross-departmental synergy: the collaboration of everyone involved was essential”.
Though hidden from sight, the tunnel represents a visible step forward towards more efficient and sustainable logistics; an underground infrastructure that is already making an impact: less traffic, lower emissions, and greater harmony with both the environment and the people.
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