Hypex Bio is an ongoing innovative project that aims to provide a solution from the civil explosives industry to environmental challenges perfectly aligned with our Group's values and ESG initiative RESONANCE. 

In September 2024 we successfully executed the first blast using Hypex Bio at our Gamsen site (Switzerland), marking a significant milestone in our journey towards innovation and excellence. 

1. Can you share any initial results or feedback from the implementation of the Hypex Bio emulsion explosives in your operations?

What challenges, if any, have you encountered during the first year? 

In this first year of implementing Hypex in our operations, we did encounter several challenges, but we’ve seen promising initial results. Since this technology is new to everyone, there was a steep learning curve, but the team is very excited about the potential of this green technology from the start. The laboratory tests indicated positive outcomes, which give us confidence going into full-scale implementation. 

2. How does the market respond to the introduction of the Hypex Bio platform? Are there any specific regions or industries where you’ve seen particularly strong interest or uptake? 

The market response has been overwhelmingly positive across all sectors where explosives are utilized as tunneling, mining, and quarrying. There's a strong trend in these industries towards adopting greener products, driven by increasing environmental regulations and a growing commitment to sustainability. Hypex fits perfectly with this trend by significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the products and eliminating pollution of the rocks and water caused by traditional explosives. This unique combination of environmental benefits has resonated particularly well with customers who are looking to meet both regulatory requirements and their own sustainability goals. 

3. Given SSE Group's focus on sustainable development, how has the introduction of Hypex Bio explosives impacted your sustainability goals? 

SSE Group has a strong focus on sustainable development, and the introduction of Hypex Bio explosives will significantly support our sustainability goals. Under "Resonance" we have launched several projects that prioritize sustainable practices across our operations. Hypex Bio, being a green explosive, aligns perfectly with this strategy and is set to be a key driver in helping us achieve our environmental targets. 

4. What are the next steps for expanding the use of Hypex Bio explosives within SSE’s existing and new markets? 

Our next steps for expanding the use of Hypex Bio explosives involve first successfully introducing this technology to the Swiss market. Once we have established a strong expertise and gathered valuable feedback, we plan to expand into other European markets. A critical aspect of this expansion will be navigating the regulatory landscape to obtain all necessary authorizations for this new platform. 

5. Could you elaborate on the synergies between SSE Group and Hypex Bio that have been realized since the partnership began? 

Since the partnership between SSE Group and Hypex Bio began, we have realized several key synergies. Hypex Bio has already achieved great success in Sweden with the development of this new green explosive, which provided a strong foundation for our collaboration. Working together to introduce Hypex Bio to Central Europe is a fantastic partnership. This collaboration has fostered a cooperative and inspiring environment that motivates both teams to continually improve the technology.