More companies are putting their trust in railways

More and more goods want to be transported from A to B in a climate-neutral way with service-oriented processes.

The constant further development of the overall system of mobility, logistics and infrastructure plays a central role within the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB, its annual report 2019 states. The focus within this context is on customer’s benefit and increasing capacity, productivity and quality. ÖBB is aware of its important role as a driver of innovation in the Austrian railways industry and the entire mobility sector. Its operations go along the corporation’s strategic goals, current trends and future needs. Technological key aspects include automation, alternative drivetrains, generating new services for customers and implementing new processes, particularly those backed by data. This concerns the railway business in general. In freight transport, ÖBB is already developing smart innovative logistics solutions of tomorrow. The Rail Cargo Group, ÖBB’s internationally operating freight transport subsidy, is now on the way to a bright future with a digitisation programme.

Rolling Road

European land freight transport continues to grow quickly but unfortunately mainly on roads. ÖBB is working to transfer freight transport onto rails. One of many such initiatives is the “Rolling Road” (“Rollende Landstraße” or Rola in short). This particular transport system allows entire heavy goods vehicles – trailers and trucks – to take parts of their route via train. Rola has particular significance in regions such as Tyrol, which are highly affected by road traffic: Every year about 2.4 million HGVs drive on Tyrol’s roads, and the figures are pointing upwards. In 2019, ÖBB moved 151,274 HGVs from the road onto rail tracks, thereof 124,873 on the leg Wörgl-Brenner and 9,162 on the leg Wörgl-Trento alone. The gross capacity on the Brenner Pass was 206,000 HGVs per year at the start of 2019; as of early 2020 this figure rose to 250,000 with Rola. The Rail Cargo Group wants to ultimately increase this number to 400,000 HGVs per year, which would be double as much as only two years ago.

The increased need for Rola also stems from the partial driving ban for HGV’s in Tyrol, which came into effect on 1 January 2020. In only a short amount of time, the Rail Cargo Group saw demand shoot up by about 32 percent. From 1 January to February 2019 Rola transported 16,165 HGVs; in the same period 2020 there were already 21,934 HGVs on the Brenner Pass. When you are looking at only the first two weeks in February, the year-on-year increase is at 40 percent. With its 200,000 transported HGVs per year the Rail Cargo Group is the European leader in Rolling Road offers. Rail Cargo Austria has more to offer than just Rolling Roads; we spoke to Clemens Först, spokesman of the Board, about the future of freight transport.

Photo: RCG/Scheiblecker

The Rail Cargo Group is among Europe’s leading railway logistics service provider and links European conurbations and ports with prospering economic centres on the Eurasian continent.

Rail Cargo Group once more achieved a top position in European rail freight transport in 2019 with 105 net tonnes of goods transported. The Rail Cargo Group therefore remains one of the Europe’s largest rail freight transport companies with Rail Cargo Austria and Rail Cargo Hungary being the respective market leaders. What are your plans for 2021 – are you planning any investments and if yes, which? Our highest priority is currently – and probably in 2021 too – to survive the Covid crisis. This is a challenge the entire rail freight transport sector is facing. Despite its relevance for solving the climate crisis – over the next ten years there is no alternative to railways in terms of sustainable land transport – policy makers have not really supported the sector. There has been a massive slump in the number of transported goods and thus in turnover and still the Rail Cargo Group kept its single wagonload network, which is of major importance to the Austrian economy, up and running during the crisis.

Therefore, we go by the credo “survive the future without selling it” in rail freight transport. That means we want to keep a positive balance sheet in freight transport and make necessary investment for the future despite the pressure to produce results.

How does digitisation affect freight transport? Which trends are there? We are seeing a rapid transformation of the rail freight transport market in the medium term: More and more small and medium-sized companies are turning to environmentally sustainable railway transport. Compared to our industrial customers who have been using trains for decades, this type of customer needs simple access to railway transport and ways to ship small consignments, e.g. in single wagons.

Which services does the Rail Cargo Group offer digitally? When it comes to digitisation, we are working hard to transform railway transport. Our goal it to automatise processes, to make them easier and quicker, and to replace complicated and expensive analogue processes with digital solutions to improve costs, transparency and efficiency. For this, we need quick-thinking teams that are flexible and forward-looking. When it comes to innovations, we are equipping our wagons with the latest telematics and sensor technology, for example, such as our latest invention TransANT. We are also pushing the digital automatic coupling system DAK across the whole of Europe.

Speaking of telematics – what is the Rail Cargo project “Atlas” about? “Atlas” is a platform to process telematics data from SmartCargo. SmartCargo is a telematics solution that we developed with telecommunications provider A1 to control our wagons by GPS. It is a giant step towards smart freight trains. These telematics in our wagons offer our customers new services and ensure a much improved and more efficient wagon coordination. An IT platform provides all information on a specific transport in a clear and compact way.

Any news from the Silk Road project? We have been working on the Silk Road across all routes since 2017. We are contributing significantly to the further development of the Austrian export trade by pushing our transport business with China. Growth in China is decisive for the growth of freight transport in

Leading railway logistics from Europe to Asia

With 9,340 employees, subsidiaries throughout Europe and an annual turnover of 2.3 billion euros, the Rail Cargo Group ranks among Europe‘s leading rail logistics companies. With its partners, the Rail Cargo Group operates a comprehensive end-to-end logistics network and links European conurbations and ports with prospering economic centres in Russia, Turkey and China.

The operative head company of the Rail Cargo Group is Rail Cargo Austria AG.

In 2019, the Rail Cargo Group… c ... recorded total revenues of 2,372.7 mln euros with an EBT of 5.1 mln euros c ... invested 140.1 mln euros into fleet and digitisation (2018: 79.1 mln euros) c ... transported 105.3 mln tonnes of goods c ... moved 151,274 HGVs from roads onto rails with the Rolling Road, thereof 124,873 on the leg Wörgl-Brenner and 23,942 on the leg Wels-Maribor

Photo: ÖBB/Mühlanger

Rola is transporting more and more HGVs across the Brenner Pass.

Europe and Asia. We are the leading provider at the connection to Piraeus. We processed 280 block trains in 2017, 500 in 2018 and 625 in 2019. But we are also trailblazers in the continental Southern route through Turkey into Iran, the Caucasus region and Central Asia.

Over the last few months, we expanded our role as a hub operator in Budapest and Vienna for transport to Asia and we finished the link-up to the entire intermodal network of the Rail Cargo Group. We are increasing the weekly connections over the next few months step by step.

How can a logistics operator such as Rail Cargo improve its climate targets? Freight transport on rails emits 44 times less CO2 than freight transport on roads. Our rail freight transport services save together with our partners about one million tonnes of CO2 per year. In addition, our electricity in Austria is 100 percent green thanks to renewable energies, our energy consumption is six times less while keeping a high performance, our noise pollution is three times less and our air pollution is eight times less – all factors for better environmental protection. We therefore strive to move more traffic onto rails. And businesses that switch the freight transport onto rails help to meet climate targets. We are able to tell exactly how much each transport contributes to saving the environment and can cal-

culate for each customer how much energy their transports need and how much they emit.

What is the Rail Cargo Group doing to protect the climate? Austria but also Europe wouldn’t be able to meet its climate and environmental targets without the Rail Cargo Group. We will improve the air quality, reduce noise and traffic jams and increase mobility if future transportation is being done in a far more climate-friendly and healthy way. Rail freight transport is a good answer to all questions regarding climate change. The transport sector is one of the biggest polluters with CO2 and the driver of the greenhouse effect. It is our goal to get the increased traffic off the roads and onto rails. We want to increase the modal share of rail freight transport in Europe by 30 percent by 2030.

Which challenges do you expect in the years to come for rail freight transport? How is the Rail Cargo Group going to deal with them? Rail freight transport was hit hard by the Covid crisis and we are still facing a fluctuating order volume. But we are keeping our resources ready to quickly meet increasing demand. In addition, there is already the tremendous pricing pressure from road freight transport. If we do not implement EU-wide measures such as reducing rail tolls we are risking a switch back to more HGV traffic.

This would have a huge impact on reaching Austria’s and Europe’s climate targets. We are also investing heavily into our internal and external communication to keep up our security of supply. ◆

Key account for the industrial sector and businesses

The experts at Section IV of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) are the port of call for the fields telecommunications, postal services and mining, and therefore constantly serving Austria’s basic industry.

“From raw materials to the final product combining sustainability and competitiveness” – that’s the premise for location policies for the basic industry at Section IV of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT). Maximum service orientation for the basic industry aims to help the industry’s access to administrative procedures.

But what access are we talking about? And access to which administrative procedures? Section IV not only encompasses telecommunications and postal services but also digitisation projects and the basic industry with the subgroups industrial policies, technology transfer as well as the EU, competitiveness and global positioning. To be a bit more precise, Section IV does not only deal with digitisation in terms of broadband communication, Internet of Things, e-commerce, smart homes, Industry 4.0 and 5G but also with industrial minerals such as magnesite, energy and building raw materials as well as ores, fighting cybercrime and much more.

At first glance, all of this does not necessarily fit together but they are things that offer tremendous possibilities to the industrial sector: Section IV serves as an active interface between professional associations and the industrial sector, accompanying industrial transformation processes such as challenges in energy policies, general environmental issues, environmental impact assessments and financial subsidies (IPCEI Important Projects of Common European Interest). Section IV also cooperates with other sections, even across different ministries, to offer specific support.

Mining is part of everything

Mining shows perfectly how much Section IV is involved in everyday life. Did you know that… c …every Austrian needs about twelve tonnes of mineral resources per year or 33 kilogrammes per day? c …every year 100 million tonnes of mineral resources are mined? c `...Austria is home to one of the Western world’s largest tungsten deposits in Mittersill (Salzburg)? c …Austria is the eight largest producer of tungsten in the world? c …tungsten can be found in almost every smartphone and tool? c …Austria is home to Central Europe’s largest talc deposits in

Rabenwald (Styria)? c …Austria is the thirteenth biggest producer of talc in the world? c …soap contains talc to improve its lather? c …talc serves as an anti-corrosive in car paint? c …one of the world’s largest underground mining operations for magnesite can be found in Austrian Breitenau (Styria)?

Section IV – Telecommunications, Postal Services and Mining

c Executive Department “Security Research and Technology Transfer” c Postal services and telecommunications

Department for Basic Agendas of Postal Services and Telecommunications

Department for Law – Postal Services and Telecommunications

Department for Technology – Postal Services and Telecommunications

Executive Department “Information and Communication Infrastructure” c Mining

Department for Mining – Legal Matters

Department for Mineral Resources Policies

Department for Mining – Technology and Safety

Mining Authority West (+ branch office Salzburg)

Mining Authority South (+ branch office Leoben)

Mining Authority East

The epitome of Austrian mining: The Erzberg mine in Styria, Central Europe’s biggest and most modern surface mining operation. Annual stoping amounts to about twelve million tonnes.

c …Austria is the fifth largest producer of magnesite in the world? c …iron mica from Carinthia is used in antirust coating all around the world, from the Bosporus Bridge in Turkey to the Sydney

Harbour Bridge?

Almost everything that we need to everyday life consists of mineral resources that come from mining. Austria is among the leading producers in the world when it comes to certain raw materials such as tungsten and magnesite.

The Broadband Office

In early 2013, Section IV established the Broadband Office as a coordination and service point for communities, provinces and providers, helping to further the broadband expansion in Austria while lowering the construction costs.

The Broadband Office developed a feasibility and rough costs analysis for communities to provide technical and financial help when planning expansion projects. This analysis uses geographic information systems and offers high resolution 3D visualisations of possible broadband expansion scenarios. Numerous communities have already taken advantage of this analysis as the basis for their decision on expansion projects. The Broadband Office also offers important social services such as free postage for blind and visually impaired people or telecommunications fee subsidies for disadvantaged people.

Section IV – added value for the industrial sector

Over the next few pages, Section IV would like to present a few real-life examples of its various departments and their work. We will explain why high-performance data networks and a stable communications infrastructure are essential for our future; where specialists develop Austrian raw materials strategies, supporting the industrial sector in the long-run; how innovative ideas and digitisation help regional projects e.g. on artificial intelligence or flood protection. There is a glimpse into Austria’s security provision and the importance of technology transfers.

But no matter which department we talk about – they all serve the industrial sector and therefore Austria.

High-performance data networks for the future of our country

Our stable communication infrastructure is the basis for almost our entire social lives.

Until recently we considered unlimited communication a matter of course. But since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, awareness for the significance of a resilient, nationwide high-performance communication infrastructure has risen. Securing critical infrastructure for businesses, the country’s administration and our society are necessary for overcoming crises. This includes stable telephone networks, high-performance data networks and reliable postal services.

Working, studying, shopping, playing – all online

In many jobs work can be done no matter where you are. Children, youths and students can study wherever they are thanks to digital platforms. Online shops make the delivery of food and drugs possible even during quarantine. Even seeing your doctor online is possible to a certain extent. And last but not least, streaming services, online games, video calls and social media offer us entertainment and allow us to stay in touch with family members and friends to keep up our personal relations.

Pre-Covid increase

The current situation has of course led to a massive increase in internet use. The traffic of mobile networks already went through the roof over the last few years. In 2019, 1.9 billion gigabytes of data were transferred. This is 27 times as much as in 2012.

And this trend increased over the last few weeks, of course. Since the lockdown, we also saw a comeback of classic telephony. People are making more and longer calls.

Development of call minutes Q2 2017 – Q1 2020 Development of sent SMS Q2 2017 – Q1 2020

j minutes mobile networks x 1,000,000 j minutes landlines x 1,000,000 j sent SMS x 1,000,000

Development of broadband access Q1 2018 – Q1 2020 Development of upload/download traffic Q1 2018 – Q1 2020

Broadband accesses x 1,000 Upload/download traffic in petabyte

j mobile networks j landlines j mobile broadband j wired broadband

The number of broadband accesses went up slightly in the last two years. Compared to the previous quarter, the first quarter of 2020 saw landline traffic increase by 135 petabyte to 1,133 petabyte and by 73 petabyte to 603 petabyte over mobile networks. This also corresponds to an increase of 14 percent. A further increase is expected for the second quarter of 2020 due to the ongoing Covid crisis.

Digital leader of innovation

The communication infrastructure is the indispensable backbone of Austria’s future development. Austria will only be able to keep its business model and social model as a competitive leader of innovation if there is a solid communication infrastructure. It will secure a level playing field and social security through innovative and productive businesses and jobs.

Regions benefit from the broadband expansion

Fast internet contributes to a level playing field between urban and rural areas. “High-speed data connections gain more and more in significance both in conurbations and the countryside,” says Andreas Reichhardt, Head of the Department for Postal Service & Telecommunications. “This is essential for people. A fast internet connection is not only a prerequisite for the Internet of Things, it also helps fighting the depopulation of rural areas.”

Staying on top

In order to secure wealth, jobs and quality of life in the long term, the Austrian government aims to become a leading digital nation within the European Union. “Austria wants to secure and expand its cutting edge both in mobile communication and the availability of physical internet access,” Reichhardt explains. In terms of the communication infrastructure, which is the basis of digitisation, the target is to provide nationwide internet access with gigabit speeds by 2030.

The Broadband Billion

Austria set up the initiative Broadband Austria 2020 in 2015, providing one billion euros in subsidies for the nationwide expansion of the communication infrastructure – the so-called Broadband Billion. This money supports the expansion of both fixed and mobile broadband access significantly. The Broadband Atlas (www.breitbandatlas.at) shows not only the up-to-date coverage with broadband access but also where the expansion is currently taking place.

Faster internet thanks to 5G

Due to the increased internet traffic the need to expand 5G coverage has become a hot topic. By early June 2020, there were 695 transmitting stations in 195 Austrian communities. Most are located in Vienna, the provincial capitals and district capitals. The 5G coverage in rural areas will improve strongly with the increased expansion and auctioning of new frequencies.

The strategists at BMLRT’s Section IV are supporting the industrial sector

Turning raw materials into the final product is being done in a sustainable and competitive way thanks to the BMLRT’s specialists.

Being the contact partner for the heavy industry and the basic industry, Section IV of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) supports businesses with their digitisation projects, helps with technology transfers for the export markets, links companies and universities and coordinates industrial issues on a European level.

Climate neutrality, decarbonisation and IPCEI

The decarbonisation of the industrial sector is a central part of Section IV’s work, trying to push it with innovative approaches. They are helped by the European Commission’s plan to keep value-added chains in Europe and to expand them as part of the so-called Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). It is an instrument of industrial policy to strengthen European competitiveness, dealing with issues such as hydrogen or low CO2 emissions. It is a cornerstone of climate-neutral economies within the EU’s member states.

Contact for industrial partners

Andreas Weber Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism Section IV – Department for Telecommunications, Postal Services and Mining +43 6642645017 Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Vienna +43 1 711 62-653201 andreas.weber@bmlrt.gv.at www.bmlrt.gv.at

Contact for Mining

Thomas Spörker Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism Department IV/6: Mining – Technology and Safety 43 1 71100 608540 Denisgasse 31, 1200 Vienna thomas.spoerker@bmlrt.gv.at www.bmlrt.gv.at

Wealth and challenges

With a share of 25 percent of the gross domestic product and 1.3 million employees, the raw materials and basic industry makes a significant contribution to Austria’s wealth. Unforeseen events, surges in raw materials demand due to new technologies and the dependency on raw materials from unstable countries are only some of the challenges that Austrian industrial companies are faced with.

Austrian raw materials strategy

The new Austrian Raw Materials Strategy is the basis for an industrial and location policy for raw materials producing and processing companies, and also for industrial sector’s added value. It aims to improve Austria’s resilience against supply risks. Based on the European Raw Materials Initiative, the Austrian Raw Materials Strategy rests on three pillars. The model encompasses the sustainable supply from domestic sources, the sustainable supply from international supply chains and smart production, i.e. the connectivity of the entire production chain within the Industry 4.0 initiative. In addition, all of these three pillars deal with the topics digitisation, education and acceptancy, research and development, dialogue, foresight policy and environment analysis.

International opportunities

For years, Austria has had a great reputation when it comes to technology and innovation. This also applies to the global production of mineral resources. In addition to magnesite, tungsten and talcum, Austria also has significant resources of lithium, among other minerals, which is gaining strongly in importance due to international demand.

It is one of the BMLRT’s foremost goals to secure such potentials with specific measures and an efficient cooperation with companies in order to put Austria in a strong position internationally.

KIRAS and FORTE for security from all sides

Austria isn’t a safe country just like that. The programmes KIRAS and FORTE play a major role in our security.

The year 2020 was full of major events and catastrophes – from the Australian wildfires to the global Covid-19 pandemic and all the problems and restrictions that came with it. And then there were massive riots and clashes between protestors and police due to socio-political tensions.

In order to keep Austria prepared as well as possible for such threats and other types of crises and catastrophes, the BMLRT has been subsidising research projects since 2005, within the civil security research programme KIRAS and the defence research programme FORTE, which protects Austria from all sides. Every year, the Ministry provides 14 million euros to research innovative solutions.

Foto: BMLRT

Security at a glance Annual budget: 14 mln euros Subsidies for research facilities and businesses

KIRAS Civil security research 9 mln euros www.kiras.at

FORTE Defence research 5 mln euros www.forte-bmvit.at

Head of programme: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism Programme implementation: Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG Call for tenders 2020: October 2020 to February 2021 Average project subsidy: 200,000 euros to 500,000 euros (max. 85 % of project costs) Project length: max. 3 years Technology readiness level: 4-6

Contact:

Executive Department “Security Research and Technology Transfer” E-Mail: stabst.sifo-tt@bmlrt.gv.at

Making Austria even safer

This research helps to create the basis for applications that make Austria safer and increase the overall sense of security in the population. It helps make the work of first responders and emergency personnel easier. It secures the population’s supply with essential products. It also protects the critical infrastructure from cyberattacks and other forms of threat. This research also includes projects with a humanistic, social or cultural focus to tackle modern issues such as online hate speech or violent political radicalisation.

The success of these research results can be measured by their implementation. The products and services that stem from KIRAS and FORTE can play a major role in overcoming a crisis, returning to normality after a crisis or maybe even preventing a crisis. This is also highly relevant for Austria as a business location. The added value from research can be increased significantly as model users from Austria implement the solutions and thus export and market Austrian products via a technology transfer all over the world. This, in turn, secures and creates jobs and employment.

The subsidies from KIRAS and FORTE are available to all researchers and businesses that want to tackle tomorrow’s challenges in terms of security policy with their innovative ideas.

Technology transfer – the move from theory to practice

In the 21st century technology, research and development are everywhere and indispensable.

In the 21st century technology, research and development are everywhere and indispensable. But technology only makes sense if there is a use for it. The monies invested into research and development only become economically sustainable if they result in marketable products and services. Austrian businesses are world market leaders in many areas, in particular in niche sectors. High-tech from Austria is based on quality, tailor-made solutions and experience. These are without a doubt crucial criteria in the competition for international projects.

This is how technology transfer works

The task of commercial international technology transfer is to increase the share of Austrian technologies in exports in order to secure or create jobs. It also aims to secure the Austrian economy, industry and tourism, and to highlight the excellence of Austrian high-tech. Technology transfer only works as a bilateral initiative of the Republic of Austria and the respective target country that

Technology transfer in short

The Department for Security Research and Technology Transfer supports Austrian businesses in their operations in selected target countries with these measures: c Creating a direct contact to decision makers c Supporting the search for project partners c Simplifying communication and optimising processes by coordinating work groups and project lists c Increasing chances at international tenders by early access to projects c Increasing the project security by direct bilateral mediation mechanisms

The Department operates in these fields of technology: c Basic industry c Mining c Circular economy c Energy c Telecommunications c Digitisation c Security and defence c Agriculture c Timber industry

Department for Security Research and Technology Transfer at the BMLRT E-Mail: stabst.sifo-tt@bmlrt.gv.at

Photo: pixabay

needs technology we already use. A cooperation between the BMLRT and a partner ministry in the target country comes into effect through institutional instruments such as bilateral cooperation treaties. An essential part of these cooperation treaties is drawing up specific project lists, having regular bilateral work groups and appointing project coordinators as well as having strategic (raw material) partnerships and regional cooperation.

Target countries for the BMLRT’s technology transfer activities are in particular emerging markets with a high economic growth such as the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), former Soviet Republics, South East Asia etc. These countries have a desire to expand and modernise their infrastructure. Generally, the Department for Security Research and Technology Transfer gets involved wherever the Austrian industrial sector needs it.

Innovation Farming – the digitisation of farms

The BMLRT loves innovations in agriculture but also in regional projects such as artificial intelligence in flood protection.

The initiative Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) is looking for new ways to make the administration ready for the 21st century. March 2020 saw the establishment of the new team RIS as part of the Department for Strategy and Data Analysis of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG. RIS is co-financed by the BMLRT and aims foremost to implement digitisation and innovation projects in regional environments, to do community management and to create and implement promotion initiatives. The BMLRT wants to support administrative authorities with digital applications and thus also help businesses and citizens.

Photo: BMLRT

Examples of RIS projects

c Artificial Intelligence for nationwide flood risk monitoring: Anticipate flooding as early as possible with the help of AI and sensors in order to prepare in time and begin evacuations c Determine irrigated land via satellite data: Developing a method to identify irrigated agricultural land (test region Marchfeld) with the help of constant high-resolution satellite data for land use and land cover.

Digitisation model project Innovation Farm

The Innovation Farm makes a major contribution to making agriculture ready for the future. New technologies are tested for practical use in particular in the fields of farming, grassland and husbandry. This is a valuable step in further developing the Austrian agricultural sector.

The project was planned for a long time and initiated by Heinrich Prankl, Head of Research & Innovation at the Federal Teaching and Research Institute Francisco Josephinum and Managing Director of Josephinum Research. Prankl’s know-how ranges from sensor technology and agro-mechatronics to data and information management technologies (precision farming, smart farming, Agriculture 4.0).

The fundamental goal of the Innovation Farm is to carve out new technological solutions for the Austrian agricultural sector and to make access to new developments easier for farmers. The Innovation Farm is therefore tasked with testing, optimising and conveying the latest technological developments, products and concepts both indoors (animal husbandry) and outdoors (farming, grassland).

The BMLRT subsidises the Innovation Farm as part of the Cluster “Digitisation in Agriculture”. Twenty pilot and demonstration operations at three sites in Austria are currently in use. New developments and training offers are carved out in close cooperation with businesses and educational institutes:

c Francisco Josephinum, Wieselburg (farming and grassland) c Bildungswerkstatt Mold (farming) c Research & Development Raumberg Gumpenstein (animal husbandry and grassland)

At the heart of building technology

The HERZ Group with its 3,300 employees and 36 production sites across Europe is one the most renowned manufacturers in the field of building technology. The product range includes fittings, control valves, thermostats for indoors installations in the areas of heating, cooling, plumbing, gas installations, biomass tanks up to 20,000 kW and heat pumps. With the range of the subsidiary Hirsch Servo AG (insulations from EPS and EPP), HERZ is a full-range provider in the HVAC sector. Our focus is on innovative products, highest quality standards and maximum customer satisfaction. HERZ, founded in 1896 and headquartered in Vienna, is active in more than 100 countries with its products.

Herz Armaturen GmbH

Richard-Strauss-Straße 22 · A-1230 Vienna Tel.: +43 (0) 1 616 26 31-0 | Mail: office@herz.eu · Web: www.herz.eu

SAATBAU LINZ is the biggest cooperative organisation for plant breeding and seed multiplication in Austria. About 3,200 farmers are the members and owners of the cooperative. The portfolio includes more than 400 varieties of about 85 crops for conventional and organic farming. Around half of it is produced from own seed multiplications. 70 years after its formation SAATBAU LINZ is operating internationally and sells high-quality seeds worldwide in about 35 countries. Since 1994, SAATBAU LINZ has been actively involved in contract farming and established itself as a reliable partner for the national and international food industry and as Austria’s biggest organic trading company.

Saatbau Linz eGen

Schirmerstraße 19 4060 Leonding | Austria +43 732 389 00-0 office@saatbau.com www.saatbau.com

Prefa, the roof as strong as a bull.

Prefa Aluminiumprodukte GmbH has been successfully developing, producing and marketing roof and façade systems from aluminium across Europe for more than 70 years. In total, the Prefa Group employs 500 people. The production of more than 5,000 different premium products takes place exclusively in Austria and Germany. Prefa is part of the group of companies belonging to the industrialist Cornelius Grupp, which employs more than 8,000 people at more than 40 production sites all around the world.

Prefa Aluminiumprodukte GmbH

Werkstraße 1 | 3180 Marktl/Lilienfeld | Austria +43 2762 502 0 | office.at@prefa.com | www.prefa.com

Kraus & Naimer is a manufacturer of electrical switchgear and was founded in Vienna in 1907. The company´s logo is the Greek letter phi. Kraus & Naimer is a supplier of various switchgear for industrial customers in the fields of transport (railways, vehicles, ships, etc.), conveyor systems, lift systems, mechanical engineering, and power generation and power distribution systems. The family-run company is the world market leader in the field of cam switches and operates a global production and distribution network with some 900 people worldwide.

Kraus & Naimer Produktion GmbH

Carbides and tools from Boehlerit, headquartered in Kapfenberg, are the pacesetters for new standards in the machining of metal, wood, synthetic and composite materials. Reliable and efficient processes are ensured worldwide with cutting materials, semi-finished products, precision tools and tooling systems for milling, turning, drilling and forming. The comprehensive Boehlerit product range includes highly specialised tools for crankshaft machining, tube and pipe machining, bar peeling and heavy-duty machining operations in the steel industry. Further Boehlerit strengths include carbides for structural components and for wear-protection. In coating technology, Boehlerit achieved a world first and unique positioning globally with its Nano CVD bonding layer through to the hardest diamond coatings. Added to this, Boehlerit is the expert development partner for toolmakers with its unrivalled know-how and many years of mastery in metallurgy, coatings systems and the latest pressing technologies.

Boehlerit GmbH & Co KG

Werk VI-Straße 100 | 8605 Kapfenberg +43 (3862) 300-0 | info@boehlerit.com www.boehlerit.com

Starting out in his garage in 1991, Robert Kanduth has turned his company into the world’s largest producer of flat plate collectors over the last few decades ,with an annual production capacity of more than 1.6 million collectors. GREENoneTEC from St. Veit an der Glan in Carinthia focuses on the customer’s wishes. The company with its ISO 9001 and ISO14001 certification has got almost 30 years of experience in the solar power sector, developing and producing solar collectors and mounting systems in customer-specific OEM versions. GREENoneTEC expanded its product range of solar collectors in 2019 by the compact and aesthetic hot water system SUNPAD. The product is already available in more than 50 countries.

GREENoneTEC Solarindustrie GmbH

The Lower Austrian company is one of the major suppliers of combustion plants for biogenic fuels. Polytechnik offers these systems with a range of performance of 300 - 30,000 kW. Hot water, high temperature water, steam and thermal oil are used as a heat transfer medium. The plants can be used to produce heating and process heat as well as to generate energy (200 kWel to 20,000 kWel). The company’s latest addition are carbonisation systems and the H.E.L.D. combustion technology (high efficiency and lowest emissions without flue gas cleaning). There are already more than 3,200 Polytechnik plants in operation all around the world; the export ratio amounts currently to more than 95%.

Polytechnik Luft- und Feuerungstechnik GmbH

A-2564 Weissenbach | Austria Tel. +43/2672/890-0, Fax: 890-13 office@polytechnik.at · www.polytechnik.com

We install your future success

SGS Industrial Services is an internationally renowned and globally operating industrial service provider, with its headquarters located in Austria. It is your reliable partner for the mechanical and electrical installation of industrial plants and their maintenance. Customers all around the world benefit from our know-how in the sectors wood, wood based panels, stones/earth/cement, metal, energy, environment technology, logistics and automotive. Long-standing experience and the highest standards in quality and operational safety make SGS an attractive partner for large international projects in plant construction.

SGS Industrial Services GmbH

Gewerbepark 14751 | Dorf an der Pram T: +43 7764 20048 0 | F: +43 7764 20048 1050 office@sgs-industrial.com www.sgs-industrial.com

The company ACE Apparatebau construction & engineering GmbH is part of the versatile Christof Group and operating on a global scale. For decades, ACE has been developing special solutions for industrial equipment, which are recognised worldwide. The company manufactures complex pressure vessels, heat exchangers, columns, reactors, FCC components and other special equipment for international clients in the petrochemical and chemical industry, the plastics, paper and food industry. At its headquarters in Lieboch, ACE produces apparatuses with pressures of up to 750 bar, weights of up to 600 tonnes and diameters of up to 5.4 metres.

ACE Apparatebau construction & engineering GmbH

Hans Thalhammer Straße 18 | 8501 Lieboch 03136/636000 | ace.office@christof-group.com | www.christof-group.com

Buying and selling gold and silver in Vienna

We are trading in all products in the field of precious metal investment and numismatics – that means we are buying and selling all coins and ingots from gold, silver, platinum and palladium at that latest market value! GOLDINVEST has far-reaching national and international trade relations and is an honorary member of the Association of Austrian Numismatists. Get your export clients something very special from Austria! The watches from the GOLDINVEST Collection do not simply look stunning, they are also unique works of art from Austria!

GOLDINVEST Edelmetalle GmbH

SUNPOR Kunststoff GmbH

Tiroler Straße 14, A-3105 St. Pölten Tel. +43 (0)2742 291-0 office@sunpor.at, www.sunpor.at

sunpor – innovations for people and the environment

sunpor is one of Europe’s technology leaders when it comes to the production of granules for premium EPS. With cutting-edge production methods. With a wide range of types for all applications from insulation, protection and packaging to innovative special solutions. With extensive and individual support for processors. Working passionately to achieve one thing: the best ideas for EPS that deliver

both economic and environmental added value.

Since its establishment in 1960 by Franz Binder, the family business has become a market leader in circular connectors. After almost 60 years about 1,800 people work for binder. At the end of March 2019, the construction of the new headquarters in Neckarsulm began. The new building offers a lot of space to create growth and new jobs. One of binder’s 15 sites outside Germany can be found in Vienna. “Our site in Austria is not only responsible for sales and local customer relations,” stresses Martin Grabler, head of binder Austria GmbH. “Our site not only offers sales of ready-made connectors but also specialist modules. These are developed and produced in Vienna, which results in strong growth: The turnover at the factory in Vienna has increased by more than 250 percent since 2015.”

binder Austria GmbH

Slamastraße 23 | 1230 Vienna +43 1 616 15 53 0 info@binder-connector.at www.binder-connector.at

The Kostwein Group, a family business established three generations ago, employs 1,000 people and is a supplier for world market leaders in various sectors of mechanical engineering with production sites in Austria, Croatia, India and the United States. Kostwein’s vision is to be the best mechanical engineering company in the built-to-print business thanks to global positioning and process innovations. This goal is pursued by our World Class Manufacturing philosophy, lean principles, EFQM and digitisation of all processes. Our value-oriented corporate culture and our full employee engagement are the basis for our motivation and our sustainable success. Our export ratio is at 97 percent.

Kostwein Maschinenbau GmbH

Berthold-Schwarz Straße 51 | 9020 Klagenfurt +43 (0)463 43204 | office.klagenfurt@kostwein.at | www.kostwein.at

ILF Consulting Engineers (ILF) is an international, fully independent engineering and consulting company with more than 50 years of experience in various fields of knowledge. More than 2,000 fully employed staff members at more than 40 offices across the globe develop convincing project solutions for customers with high standards. ILF offers its clients engineering and consulting services in the fields of Energy & Climate Protection, Water & Environment, Transport & Urban Spaces and Oil, Gas & Industrial.

ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH

Feldkreuzstraße 3 6063 Rum/Innsbruck Austria E-Mail: info.ibk@ilf.com Tel. 0043 512 / 24 12 - 0

HOFMANN over 70 years of tradition

Manufacturer of heat treatment plants for the automotive and aviation industry (aluminium and titanium) as well as the steel industry. Some of the world’s best-known companies are among our clients. Our export ratio is almost 85%. From the entire planning stage to programming and manufacturing – all from one source. You can count on HOFMANN quality. Nothing is left to chance.

Systematic Quality! That’s GIFAS ELECTRIC, an internationally operating company from Eugendorf near Salzburg. It guarantees premium electrotechnical system solutions since 1966. The portfolio of the long-established yet innovative company ranges from robust solid rubber junction boxes and cable reels for the highest demands to floor outlets, underground distributers and energy columns for indoors and outdoors, and even to the latest LED lights for industry and trade with an almost unlimited scope of application. No matter whether you need a standard product or a customised solution, the GIFAS team meets all of their client’s wishes and implements them with the latest technologies in accordance with standards and regulations.

The name Meissl no longer only stands for various umbrella sizes, but also for individual large surface coverings and mobile wind protection walls. No matter how extreme the location or load may be, Meissl always finds a solution that not only convinces but that really inspires restaurateurs and their guests. Today, about 50 employees in more than 8,500 square meters of operating space are passionate in finding even better solutions for the family business, which was founded in 1976 and is now run by the second generation. And no matter where you are in the world, you will find Meissl concepts everywhere.

The IMA Schelling Group has specialized in the development and fabrication of customer-specific manufacturing systems and processing solutions for the wood, metal and plastics industry. The company develops and manufactures intelligent high-end solutions which are sold through a global network of sales and service centres. The product range includes systems for the entire process chain, from storage, cutting, transport, edgebanding, drilling to the sorting and stacking of panel-shaped materials made of wood, metal or plastic. IMA Schelling also offers a comprehensive service programme and digitization products. Through the use of the machines, users benefit from automated and efficient manufacturing processes.

Meissl Open-Air Solutions GmbH

Umbrella bars and weather protection systems Ellmauthal 40, 5452 Pfarrwerfen, Tel: 06462/25100 E-Mail: office@meissl.com, Internet: www.meissl.com

IMA Schelling Group

For decades, ALGE-TIMING has been a major supplier in the sector of electronic sports timing. Our products are sold in more than 40 countries through an international network of independent sales partners. ALGE-TIMING manufactures a large range of sports timing devices and display boards. Small sports clubs and timing experts appreciate our advice and individually tailored solutions. Winter sports are of major importance to us. More than 40 percent of Alpine FIS races around the world use systems from ALGE-TIMING. Our most important sports are swimming, track and field, equestrian, motorsport, cycling and skiing.

ALGE-TIMING GmbH

Rotkreuzstraße 39 · 6890 Lustenau · Austria Tel: +43-5577-85966 · Fax: +43-5577-85966-4 office@alge-timing.com · www.alge-timing.com

High-tech meets tradition

The Lower Austrian company Ing. Roman Kaubek looks back on decades of extensive know-how when it comes to lubricants for classic cars, planes, tractors, motorbikes, boats and all types of historic engines. We make every type of fluid for vehicles and engines from 1900 to 1990 – regardless whether you need motor oil, transmission fluid or fuel additives. The company is the only provider of these specialist lubricants in Europe, offering all types of oils and fluids for classic engines. Ing. Kaubek supplies specialist companies all over the world with its labels LABRADOR and LABRACIN for historic engines built up until 1990.

Ing. Roman Kaubek Schmiermittel

Triesterstraße 27 · 2620 Neunkirchen · Austria Mobile: +43 650 3009996 E-mail: office@kaubek-oil.at Web 1: www.oldtimer-schmierstoffe.at Web 2: www.kaubek-oil.at