Regional Perspectives - Villach

The dynamic heart of the Alpine-Adriatic region

At the crossroads of three major European cultures, Villach on the River Drau is both a high-tech centre and a popular holiday destination.

Villach – a Region Introduces Itself

Villach is economic dynamism with a vision. Traditional companies and corporate groups find an innovative environment here, as do creative start-ups. The border triangle of Austria, Italy and Slovenia creates internationality through well-trained specialists.

In the recent past, major relocations have further strengthened Villach’s importance: first and foremost, the 1.6 billion euro investment in a high-end chip factory by Infineon Technologies Austria, and the honour of being one of only three locations of the Austrian research initiative “Silicon Austria Labs”.

Villach has long been an integral part of the European technology map. This is also ensured by major globally established companies such as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M), Imerys, Flowserve and Lam Research. They all shape the diversified economic structure, as do innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in the technology and service sectors.

@ Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung

The region stands for:

HIGH-TECH. Corporate groups such as Infineon, Lam Research and 3M, as well as the Silicon Alps Cluster make the region an innovative technology location.
EDUCATION, TEACHING & RESEARCH. Villach offers a comprehensive range of services for all age groups: from STEM kindergartens to the research-strong Carinthia University of Applied Sciences and world-leading cutting-edge research in local companies.
INFRASTRUCTURE. Villach has an impressively unique mix of history, nature, modern infrastructure and a multicultural environment.
TRANSPORTATION. With the Villach Süd large shunting yard and the Combi Cargo Terminal, the Logistik Center Austria Süd is developing here as a dry port and contract logistics location on the Baltic-Adriatic Axis.

BUSINESS. The town is a historically grown commercial centre in the border triangle. Villach’s old town is the setting for a variety of events and positions itself as a friendly open-air living room for shopping experiences.
TOURISM. For more than a century, Villach has been one of the most popular holiday destinations in the heart of Europe, with year-round attractions.
NATURE. Around 28% of Villach’s urban area is a landscape conservation area, and the proportion of woodland is 55%. There are beautiful lakes, the local mountain Dobratsch, Carinthia’s oldest nature park, and extensive recreational areas.

(Districts Villach and Villach-Land)

The Region in Figures

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Leading Companies in the Region

Infineon

Over the past decades, Infineon has become one of the most important locations for the research, development and production of power semiconductors across all of Europe. Infineon Austria has successfully established itself as a global player in the semiconductor market and is currently regarded as Austria’s strongest industrial company in terms of research. At the Villach site, 1.6 billion euros were invested in the most modern chip factory in Europe and in the expansion of the research and development department. The development and production of 300mm wafers based on gallium nitride is groundbreaking and thus ensures even greater international relevance for the location.

Lam Research

With its spin processor, the Villach-based company SEZ launched an innovation on the global market in the late 1980s, which today – as part of the global Lam Research Group – makes the company an internationally successful provider of innovative technology and productivity solutions for the semiconductor industry. In Villach, the US group is strengthening its technological leadership in the solvent-based wafer cleaning sector, particularly in the sub-2nm range. In recent years, Lam Research has invested more than 26 million euros in site expansion and multi-year research and development programmes.

Silicon Austria Labs

In addition to the locations in Graz and Linz, the tpv Technologiepark Villach is an elementary location of the Austrian top research center for electronics-based systems. At the High Tech Campus Villach, which is part of the tpv Technologiepark Villach, SAL Silicon Austria Labs networks with technology companies, research and educational institutions as well as start-ups. With its research focus, SAL covers the entire EBS value chain and develops technologies in the fields of energy, lifestyle, health and mobility. Whether in the fields of sensor systems, high-frequency technology and power electronics or the research areas System Integration Technologies and Embedded Systems, the team works on the basis of state-of-the-art technologies and in in-house and contract research as well as in cooperation with industrial and scientific partners.

Networks and Cooperations

Villach is recognised far beyond its regional borders not only for its close entrepreneurial networks and cooperations, but also for its deep regional roots. Local and international companies appreciate the numerous networking opportunities and profit in many ways from the service-oriented interaction with committed local organisations.

tpv Technologiepark Villach

tpv Technologiepark Villach is an international high-tech location where over 850 employees, around 1,100 students and between 70 and 100 apprentices work, learn and research together. The three-pillar model combines research and development, education and training, and business all at one location. The focus is on electronic based systems (EBS) with microelectronics, electronics, mechatronics and mechanical engineering. Important players include Carinthia University of Applied Sciences offering 31 degree programmes and laboratory facilities. There are also companies such as Intel Austria, KAI Competence Centre Automotive and Industrial Electronics, T.I.P.S. Messtechnik, SAL Silicon Austria Labs, build! Gründerzentrum with start-ups, as well as the Silicon Alps Cluster at the High Tech Campus Villach. Other facilities include the GPS training centre “Campo”, a student residence and a kindergarten with a MiniEducationalLab to promote STEM subjects. Among the future developments there will be new buildings with offices, workshops and laboratories, a parking garage, a canteen and much more to make the location even more internationally attractive.

Silicon Alps Cluster

The Silicon Alps Cluster, an Austrian technology and innovation cluster in the field of electronic based systems is located in the Villach Science and Technology Area (VISTA). As a public-private partnership between Austrian players from business, science and the public sector, it serves to develop and position the electronics and microelectronics industry.

Welcome2Villach

The working cooperation “Industry & Tourism” sees itself as a “marketplace” where plans are developed and/or projects are mutually supported through the exchange of experience. The platform www.welcome2villach.at, has created a digital business card for the initiative where key subjects are worked on and constantly expanded.

Stadt-Umland Regionalkooperation Villach

Stadt-Umland Regionalkooperation Villach (i.e. city and surroundings regional cooperation) was founded in 1999 and has since been able to accompany, support, co-develop and oversee 110 projects for the Villach area. With the Regional Management, the city of Villach and the 19 surrounding municipalities have created a platform that pools forces, optimises inter-communal cooperation and strengthens the region. The aim of the cooperation is to realise cross-community projects and to create leisure activities as well as living spaces.

CIC – Carinthian International Center

The constantly growing international community in the region has been connecting in the Carinthian International Center for several years now. Here, newcomers can quickly make contact with other expats and locals. The CIC Service GmbH also offers companies and private individuals comprehensive assistance in relocation, administration and reorientation after moving to Villach.

CIC

Enjoying Life

The geographical location in the border triangle of Austria, Italy and Slovenia and the extraordinary natural beauty make Villach a popular holiday destination. However, the region is not only impressive because of its breathtaking greenery, but also because of its cosmopolitan, urban-modern and creative climate. Here in the heart of Carinthia, it is also the starting point for real adventures; day trips to the Adriatic Sea, Venice, Ljubljana, Salzburg, Graz or Vienna are part of everyday life. Openness and tolerance are part of living in Villach, bringing a quality of life that knows no limits.

Education and Social Affairs

The public healthcare facilities are exemplary, and access to their services is uncomplicated. LKH Villach is one of two large general hospitals in Carinthia with a comprehensive range of services. The Privatklinik Villachprivate hospital and ThermenResort Warmbad-Villach complete the opportunities for health and regeneration. A large number of independent outpatient clinics and pharmacies further guarantee optimal healthcare for the population.

14 kindergartens and 13 primary schools in Villach provide the best conditions for starting school even for the youngest children. Pupils can then choose between 5 specialised secondary schools and 2 grammar schools. The wide range of schools available includes 6 vocational technical, business and humanities colleges, as well as 3 specialist vocational schools. The perfect boost to any academic career are the courses offered by Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) in the field of engineering & IT and business & management, as well as the distance learning centre.

Your direct line to the Villach region:

Mag.a Maria-Luise Hadwiger

City of Villach – First-Stop Relocation Service

Economic Development and Business Location, Town Hall – extension (entrance 4), Standesamtsplatz 3, 9500 Villach.

+43 4242 205 5214

maria.hadwiger@villach.at

Good Accessibility – Short Distances

Thanks to its central location at the intersection of three major European motorways, two railway lines, proximity to the northern Mediterranean ports and with several airports in the immediate vicinity, Villach offers easy access to the whole world. Conversely, the town is also easy to reach. A spontaneous day trip to the picturesque lagoon of Venice is just as possible as a stroll through the historic old town of Salzburg. Even EU metropolises such as Ljubljana, Munich and Vienna are within easy reach by car or modern trains. All information on the most important mobility solutions for the region can be found at https://connect.visitvillach.at/.

What’s more, Villach offers innovative micro-transport solutions:

Villach urban transport BUS:SI with micro-BUS:SI -> villach.at/bussi
E-scooter rental
Car sharing (CarSharingVillach and ÖBB)
Various other vehicle rental options

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Regional Perspectives - Villach

The dynamic heart of the Alpine-Adriatic region

Villach – a Region Introduces Itself

The region stands for:

(Districts Villach and Villach-Land)

The Region in Figures