ALIEN Limited, a Geneva-based initiative, is addressing one of Switzerland’s most pressing ecological challenges: the rapid spread of invasive quagga mussels in freshwater lakes. Through a pioneering circular approach, ALIEN Limited is not only protecting lake ecosystems but also creating social and economic value from what was once considered a purely environmental threat. ALIEN Limited has been short-listed for the I4N Award 2044 and has been selected to participate in the INSEAD Hans H. Wahl Impact Entrepreneurship Program.
The Challenge: Quagga Mussels in Swiss Lakes
The Quagga mussel is rapidly invading Swiss lakes, disrupting natural ecosystems and threatening essential water and energy infrastructures. With an extraordinary ability to reproduce and filter nutrients, it destabilizes food chains and clogs pipelines. Although the colonization of Lake Geneva is still in an early phase, experts warn that without urgent action, the situation could soon become irreversible — as already witnessed in other regions around the world.
The Solution: Circular Economy for Nature Conservation
Through innovative technology, ALIEN Limited separates the organic and mineral components of Quagga mussels. Their shells, rich in limestone, are used as a sustainable alternative to mined limestone for producing local, low-carbon cement. This approach not only reduces the environmental damage caused by quarrying but also creates new ecological and economic value from an otherwise harmful species.
Collaboration and Measurable Impact
ALIEN Limited works closely with fishing communities and local stakeholders to collect Quagga mussels in a sustainable way. By integrating international expertise, especially from North America’s long experience with invasive species, the company is redefining success: shifting the focus from financial metrics to real ecological outcomes — kilometers of restored shoreline, thriving fish populations, and healthier lake ecosystems.
More information on I4N Award and ALIEN Limited.
See more videos of Innovate 4 Nature (I4N) and the award winners: here.
