Advanced materials are a key technology for numerous future-oriented industries, including
mobility, industry, energy, and the circular economy. The goal is to build a competitive, comprehensive ecosystem that increases value creation, secures and creates jobs, and positions Styria internationally as a leading hub for advanced materials.

Styria offers ideal conditions: a strong research landscape, internationally successful companies, and expertise in materials science built up over decades.

What Are Advanced Materials?

Advanced materials are specifically developed materials with new or significantly improved properties. They are used, for example, in batteries, sensors, machine components, medical applications, surface coatings, and lightweight structures.

Their particular significance lies in their function: advanced materials enable new properties in products, processes, and systems. They often remain invisible to users but play a decisive role in determining how high-performing, sustainable, durable, or efficient a product ultimately is.

Why Advanced Materials in Styria?

Advanced materials are among the most important key technologies of the 21st century. As such, they are a key driver of competitiveness, resource efficiency, and the transition to a climate-neutral and digitally connected economy.

In light of climate change, geopolitical tensions, supply chain risks, and dependence on raw materials, new materials are gaining increasing strategic importance. They make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of industrial processes, to increasing energy efficiency, to the circular economy, and to Europe’s technological sovereignty and resilience.

Objectives of the SFG

The Advanced Materials initiative pursues the following overarching goals:

• Building a strong and interconnected advanced materials ecosystem
• Increasing innovation and value creation
• Securing and creating skilled jobs
• Positioning Styria as a leading international hub for advanced materials

The Strategic Advisory Board

The site development process is supported by a high-caliber Strategic Advisory Board. Experts from academia, research, industry, and the federal government contribute their perspectives and experience and support the strategic development of the project.
In this way, the advisory board enhances the technical quality of the process, fosters additional networking, and helps provide the right impetus for the site.

The SFG plays a developmental, coordinating, and unifying role in the process. It acts as a “process facilitator” and does not have sole ownership of the subject matter. The focus is on the development of the location, not on promoting individual organizations.

Past and upcoming steps in the process:

Become part of the Advanced Materials ecosystem!

Advanced materials thrive on exchange, collaboration, knowledge transfer, and new ideas. Companies, research institutions, startups, influencers, and interested professionals are invited to get involved and work together to further develop the region.

• Do you work in the field of advanced materials or materials management?
• Are you interested in new technologies and innovation potential?
• Would you like to network, build partnerships, contribute your expertise, or receive support with technology transfer to industrial applications?

Then become part of the Styrian Advanced Materials ecosystem and actively help shape the future of this technology field!

National and European Trends

Advanced materials are currently gaining significant importance at both the national and European levels. Austria has identified advanced materials as one of the priority key technology areas in its Industrial Strategy 2035. The European Union also views advanced materials as a crucial foundation for competitiveness, strategic autonomy, industrial resilience, and the green and digital transformations.

This development opens up major opportunities for Styria. Regions that highlight their strengths and strategically network their stakeholders can more easily connect with national and European programs, platforms, and collaborative projects. The regional development process helps prepare Styria early on for upcoming developments and further strengthen its position in the international arena.

Of particular importance here is a shared understanding of the ecosystem: from research and materials development, through industrial implementation and scaling, to the circular economy, international partnerships, and new fields of application. Only through the interplay of these competencies can the full potential of advanced materials be realized.