Börse Express – BAK study confirms strong growth in green technology in Upper Austria

IWS-GF Kneifel: “Upper Austria has grown above average, particularly in green technology patents”

In a study commissioned by the Initiative for Economic Locations in Upper Austria (IWS) titled “Upper Austria in comparison with the best European regions”, the famous Swiss BAK Economics AG came to the conclusion that Upper Austria in the field of green technologies compared to the top twenty other regions has above-average growth in Europe.

Accordingly, the number of patents related to green technology in Upper Austria rose sharply between 2010 and 2019. The highest patent growth was in green mobility, with the patent portfolio increasing from 47 patents in 2010 to 120 in 2019 (average growth of 11 percent per year). Domestic car suppliers in Upper Austria are particularly active in research into green mobility – in particular, the companies AVL List, ZF Friedrichshafen and Magna have developed several patents for green mobility.

According to the BAK study, the number of green energy patents from Upper Austria has increased significantly in recent years (from 68 in 2010 to 130 in 2019). Fronius, Borealis and EV Group companies have been named as important research players in the region. For example, Fronius develops inverters for photovoltaic systems, and with the Center for Software Efficiency Hagenberg (SCCH) is researching a smart power grid for optimal use of green electricity.

“In addition, the Upper Austria location has a well-trained workforce, with a high proportion of workers with secondary vocational training. This is consistent with the regional focus on industrial sectors, assures the Director General of IWS Gottfried Knevel. This study should also help to “recognize the signs of the times in society, business and politics in time”.

The long version of the 50-page BAK study is available at IWS home page is available for download: www.iwsooe.at