Austria As Pioneer of Environmental Technology
Protecting the resource of the natural environment in Austria is an important economic consideration, not only because most tourism in Austria relies on the Alpine scenery, but also because the highly-regarded quality of life is a draw for international investors, and the environment is a big part of quality of life.
The stunning scenery and clean air of the Austrian Alpine countryside is the backdrop of some of the world’s most progressive environmental technology. The sector has been active and supported in Austria since way before environmental issues were considered important – or even considered at all by most people.
Pioneering Sector
Long before global shortage of fossil energy sources and the related increase in energy costs, companies whose business operations were determinedly focused on environmentally-friendly technologies were established in Austria. Their innovations laid the groundwork for the country’s technological leadership in the field of environmental technology. They were able to rely on the Government’s systematic promotion of innovation and an increasingly dense network of competent research partners. Nowadays, Austria’s eco-industry generates annual revenues of €10.6 billion and employs a workforce of about 87,000 people. The Austrian environmental technology industry has been expanding at an annual rate of around 8%, 2% higher than the global average.
Austria made breakthrough developments in water management, and was the first European country to create a legal framework for waste separation and disposal. This stimulated innovation, for example in the field of sensor technology. Now, Austria is the global leader in technologies such as waste management, wastewater treatment, contaminated site remediation, solar energy and air pollution control technologies, and companies in the environmental technology and renewable energy sector in Austria are part of a dense network of specialised companies, research institutes and funding agencies.
The country’s share of renewable energy sources as a percentage of total energy consumption is traditionally higher than in other EU countries - since the beginning of the 1980s, it has constantly surpassed the 20%, and is expected to rise to 34% by 2020. Significant sub-sectors, in terms of business and R&D, are wind energy, solar power and biomass technology.
Strengths
The business and scientific communities in Austria work hand in hand in the field of environmental technology. In this way, the industry is driven by innovation, which in turn ensures stable profits. Universities and non-university research partners supply companies with a steady stream of innovations. Due to the support and funding that are readily available, even small companies are able to benefit from sophisticated research work. Austrian World market leaders in sustainable technologies include Binder+Co, SOLON Hilber, VESTAS Austria, and Aqua Engineering.
The environmental technology sector in Austria is without doubt strengthened by 2 further factors; a pool of highly educated and specialised potential employees, and Austria’s geographical location right at the centre of Europe.
The Future
So, what does the future hold for Austria’s environmental technology sector? Further continuous innovation is a given, but Austrian current goal is to become the world’s Green-Tech Valley. Watch this space.
For further information on the environmental technology sector in Austria, see Invest in Austria’s listing, which includes contact details.
