Prizewinning concepts from Carinthia
Awards for Carinthian businesses
When it comes to innovation, Carinthian companies play a leading role. This is reflected in the fact that no fewer than three Carinthian companies were nominated for the Austrian State Prize for Innovation 2019, and a fourth one was awarded the ECONOVIUS 2019. The Austrian State Prize for Innovation reflects the breadth and innovative potential of Carinthia as a business location. The prize is organised by the AWS, the Austrian Promotional Bank, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and was awarded for the 39th time in 2019.
These Carinthian businesses had their pioneering projects recognised and made visible to the world with a nomination for the Austrian State Prize for Innovation:
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Carinthian businesses nominated for the Austrian State Prize for Innovation
Knauf AMF Ceiling Systems, Ferndorf – ZERO WASTE was made reality
Over years of research, the specialists for ceiling systems in the Carinthian town of Ferndorf developed a Co₂-neutral process for the complete recycling of wood waste generated in-house. The name of the project is “Re-calcination – the path to ZERO WASTE“ and entails the thermal removal of the wood content in wood-wool slabs. The residual calcine may then be re-used as a binding agent in the manufacturing process. A rotary kiln that is fired on several levels was installed for this purpose, together with a unit for the mechanical processing of slab material, a filter plant and a special conveyor system.
Sico Technology, Bleiberg-Kreuth – significant improvements in chip production
he project “Silicon injector for semiconductor manufacturing” developed a new process for manufacturing injectors from ultrapure silicon for CVD coating. Silicon is the material of the discs used for the production of semiconductors, which are then coated. The big advantage of this silicon injector is that it doesn’t have to be replaced every day, but may be used for a period of up to three months without particle removal. This is an invaluable benefit as it greatly increases the chip yield. The process was developed by Sico over a three-year period and has been patented in the meantime.
Tribotecc, Arnoldstein – functional fibres to improve braking systems
Tribotecc is as Carinthian as they come and has made a name for itself as an international expert for speciality chemicals in the field of highly complex industrial applications. The latest coup of this Carinthian business is the project “Functional fibres”, where metal sulphites are deposited at exactly the right point in the brake mechanism, i.e. at the contact points to the brake disc. This improves the friction between the brake discs and the lining and also reduces noise and wear. The functional fibres are an absolute market novelty and were sponsored by the FFG Austrian Research promotion agency as a frontrunner project over several years.
ECONOVIUS 2019 special award went to MAI International
The ECONOVIUS special award is presented by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce on a yearly basis to an SME that stands out for its innovative achievements. In 2019, the award went to the Carinthian business MAI International, a specialist for development and distribution of equipment for plastering and injection applications in building and civil engineering who developed an ecological, porous light-weight concrete that requires no hazardous ingredients. The concrete is also breathable, permeable and has excellent fire safety properties. MAI International is thus making an important contribution to the current trend towards using ecological building materials.
Four Carinthian businesses, four examples of the innovative power of Austria’s southernmost province – a highly attractive business location!