Production of the Future

The manufacturing industry, with approximatly 640,000 employees in 29,000 companies and a gross value added of approximatly 50 billion euros per year is the backbone of Austrian economy. Almost every fifth euro in Austria is earned by the domestic manufacturing industry, almost two thirds of the workforce depend directly on it. All the more reason why producing internationally competitive products is an essential factor for prosperity.

Therefore the goal is to keep the manufacturing industry in Austria and to make it fit for the future. Many outstanding production companies are located in Austria, not few of these are global and technological leaders. Still, the pressure from international competition is enormous and domestic industry can only survive if it can develop innovative technologies and improve in productivity.

The requirements are exacting: on the one hand, new high-tech materials, lower production costs and shorter development cycles; on the other hand, greater product diversity, resource and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, logistics and recycling issues and many more aspects. All this and more demand innovative solutions.

The RTI programme "Production of the Future" by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation ans Technology has the following goals since the year 2012:

  • Efficient resources and resource management, efficient production technologies to increase international competitiveness and to strengthen Austria's position as an industrial location
  • Flexibilizing production to enhance Austria's production expertise
  • Manufacturing high-tech products to underscore Austria's position as an innovation center

Funded Projects are placed in the following categories:

  • Efficiency and quality in manufacturing
  • Advanced materials, surfaces and coatings and nanotechnology
  • Critical raw materials
  • Bio-based industry

"Cooperative R&D projects", which also include "flagship projects", are the most important instrument. Over 80 % of the funds are awarded to these science / business research collaborations. Particular emphasis is placed on "Industry 4.0", meaning advanced manufacturing with the support of information technology.

Programme management

FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency
Margit Haas
Sensengasse 1, 1090 Wien
phone: +43 (0) 57755 5083
email: margit.haas@ffg.at

Programm Owner

Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Alexander Pogany
Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Wien
phone: +43 (0) 1 711 62 65 3203
email: alexander.pogany@bmk.gv.at

www.ffg.at