(Villach, High Tech Campus): Further expansion in the High Tech Campus Villach - today the second building is handed over to the tenant Silicon Austria Labs. With the establishment of the new research laboratory for the research center Silicon Austria Labs, the shareholders reach an important milestone for top research in Carinthia.
The first construction stage of the High Tech Campus Villach is well utilized with Silicon Austria Labs, the build! Gründerzentrum Kärnten and the Silicon Alps Cluster. The managing director of HTCV Bernhard Lamprecht is very pleased to hand over the new research lab to the main tenant according to the construction schedule. "Today's ceremonial handover of the building marks the second construction phase of the HTCV with an area of 4,000 m². Thus, a total leasable area of 7,400m² is currently available. Despite the pandemic and challenges in the construction industry, we are on track both on time and on budget. A total of around 17.5 million euros will again be invested here in a building for outstanding office and laboratory infrastructure. In the final stage, the HTCV will offer four buildings, and further interested parties are already on the threshold."
"Climate protection needs courage, commitment and the best ideas. We already know many of the solutions on the road to climate neutrality. Others we still need to develop further. That is why the Climate Protection Ministry is supporting Silicon Austria Labs with 30 million euros. With this funding, we are investing in cutting-edge domestic research in the field of electronic-based systems. In this way, we are supporting research directly in Austria to create technologies for a climate-friendly industry that is internationally competitive. We want to be at the forefront in Austria and also have world market leaders in environmental technology in our country in the future," said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler.
"The second building of the High Tech Campus Villach with the unique cleanroom infrastructure means another milestone for Carinthia's top research. What makes me particularly happy is to know that a large part of the added value remains in Carinthia. As of today, this is 59% of the construction contracts and 41% of the planning contracts that contributed to the implementation of the construction project. In view of the high technological requirements, this is a further distinction for our companies and the know-how that we have been able to develop in our province in recent years. Carinthia is always establishing itself on the international stage as a sought-after location for industry, business, work and life," said Governor Peter Kaiser.
Deputy Governor Gaby Schaunig welcomes the rapid implementation of the expansion at the High Tech Campus Villach. "The construction of the laboratory enables the installation of the latest generation of research equipment. An extremely attractive innovation environment is being created for top researchers. This benefits Carinthia as a location, Silicon Austria Labs and all companies active in the field of electronic-based systems and strengthens Carinthia's leading role in the field of EBS."
"With its focus on electronics, microelectronics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering including service providers and suppliers - in short EBS electronic based systems - the city of Villach has been pursuing a clear location development for more than 20 years. Currently, there are more than 40 companies, more than 1,000 students and around 60 apprentices at the tpv Technology Park Villach site. In the fall of 2015, the first construction stage of the "Park in the Park" was built. The location on the site of the tpv Villach Technology Park with the Carinthian University of Applied Sciences is valued as an advantageous environment for collaboration and cooperation. We as the city of Villach are investing one million euros in the expansion of this building at the HTCV. This will enable us to establish Villach even more strongly as a technology location far beyond Carinthia," says Villach Deputy Mayor Sarah Katholnig.
"Over the next few years, we will develop Silicon Austria Labs into a lighthouse research center in the field of electronic-based systems in Europe. The bundling of forces and the excellent cooperation between the federal government and the three provinces involved are essential for this. The SAL site in Villach is already a showcase for sensor technology and microsystems technology," says SAL CEO Gerald Murauer. Site manager Christina Hirschl is pleased "to create top conditions for innovation, research and development with this building and thereby also attract international researchers. Above all, the planned cleanroom is of enormous importance to us, because it will be the largest research cleanroom in Austria and the number of employees in Villach can increase to over 200 in the next few years."
For Markus Hornböck, Managing Director of BABEG, investments in the infrastructure for research and development are of great importance: "With the funds of € 8 million provided by our owners, the federal and state governments, for the building in question alone, the basis for new offices will be created. With the funds of € 8 million provided by our owners, the federal government and the state, for the building in question alone, the basis is being created for new office, laboratory and clean room areas, which will optimally facilitate the development of the latest technologies and further company settlements in the field of electronic-based systems.
