Green Innovation in Salzburg

Timber Research

At Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, there is a major focus on the further development and optimisation of wood materials and wood-based biochemistry, as well as on wood technology and timber construction. This includes projects concerned not only with the quality of wood, but also with how it is processed and treated. Among other things, the properties of wood materials and types of wood are examined, with the aim of finding new possibilities and applications for them and for less researched types.

Research activities include:

• Combining different materials (e.g. leather fibre and wood fibre combinations)
• Examining new composite materials
• Developing, qualifying and testing new thermal insulation materials based on renewable raw materials (e.g. tannin-based foams)
• Developing and researching innovative material functions (e.g. multifunctional surfaces)
• Developing wood-based bioprocesses (e.g. reactors, organosolv, extraction purification)
• Developing new ways to utilise recyclable materials (e.g. process wastewater in pulp and paper production)
• Developing upcycling methods to recover and reuse wooden components

Building research

One of the main focuses of research in Salzburg is on how building and settlement systems can be made more sustainable. The necessary expertise for this is pooled at the Alpine Building Centre at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences and at the iSPACE research studio of Research Studios Austria. There is a particular focus here on smart energy systems, building shells and the simulation of settlement systems. Urban consolidation solutions and redevelopment projects are also important for ensuring sustainable use of space and preventing soil sealing. Another important contribution in this area is made by concrete recycling, which involves producing new concrete from old concrete recovered during building demolition. In Salzburg in particular, the Alpine Building Network brings together many players from the fields of research, planning and execution.

Education

The Holztechnikum Kuchl, located on Salzburg University of Applied Sciences’ Kuchl campus, is a nationally and internationally renowned training centre for the Austrian sawmill and timber industry. All aspects of the timber industry, wood technology, biogenic technologies and timber construction are taught and studied there. A wide range of further education courses are also available. And with the Smart Building and Smart Buildings in Smart Cities courses, there is a focus on the buildings and cities of the future as well. The Design & Product Management programme with specialisation in EcoDesign teaches the skills required to translate theory into actual products.

At the University of Salzburg, the Faculty of Natural Sciences offers a wide range of courses, including Geography, Science and Technology of Materials, Applied Geoinformatics, Ecology and Evolution, as well as ones in various other life sciences and engineering subjects. Sustainability can also be studied as a major on courses in other faculties. Likewise, content relating to the ‘Green Deal’ and the circular economy is also covered in other disciplines, such as business studies at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences.

At almost all vocational schools in Salzburg, such as the higher technical colleges (HTL), engineering courses are offered in important areas such as construction technology, wood, interior design, mechatronics and mechanical engineering.