The demand of industry and society for raw materials and resources is continuously increasing.
This development is closely linked to the production of high-quality products and materials that can themselves contribute to resource savings and efficiency improvements in production and production-related environments. However, global resource consumption currently exceeds the planet’s regenerative capacity by a wide margin. Determining how resources can be provided and processed sustainably in the future—while taking ecological, social and economic effects into account—constitutes one of the greatest challenges facing our society. To achieve the necessary transition in resource use, transforming the linear economic model into a circular economy is indispensable. Circular resource management aims to minimise raw material consumption and preserve valuable materials within closed loops. Production and production technologies, along with the use of new digital technologies, play a key role in advancing this transition and ensuring a sustainable future.
In 2023, the former Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) launched the initiative “Circular Economy and Production Technologies”, building on earlier initiatives such as “Factory of the Future”, “Circular Economy”, and “Production and Materials”, and consolidating them. By bundling measures, the initiative places a clear focus on transforming Austria’s economy and industry by 2050 towards climate-neutral circularity, using efficient and sustainable production technologies and innovative, resource-efficient economic practices. Through interdisciplinary approaches and targeted funding instruments, Austria is to be positioned as a leading location for circular economy and resource-efficient production, thereby driving forward the green and digital transformation (“twin transition”).
The thematic focus of the initiative “Circular Economy and Production Technologies” includes the following areas:
- Circular economy
- Bio-based industry
- Additive manufacturing
- Industry 4.0
- Materials
The initiative “Circular Economy and Production Technologies” addresses the following operational objectives:
- Optimising resource use through intelligent and regional production and utilisation of products and infrastructure (Refuse – Rethink – Reduce)
- Increasing product utilisation by extending the service life of products, components and infrastructure (Reuse – Repair – Refurbish – Remanufacture – Repurpose)
- Closing material loops by recycling materials
- Strengthening resilience through crisis-proof, robust and flexible enterprises
- Enhancing Austria’s/Europe’s technological sovereignty by reducing technological and resource dependencies
The strategic orientation of the initiative “Circular Economy and Production Technologies” is guided in particular by the following national strategic documents:
- Circular Economy Strategy
- Bioeconomy Strategy
- Raw Materials Masterplan 2030
- R&I Strategy 2030
With an open4innovation focus on the resource transition, this overview highlights measures within the R&I initiative “Circular Economy and Production Technologies”, complemented by current calls, studies, brochures and event offerings. In addition, the open4innovation focus on Sustainable Business provides an overview of measures to enhance climate neutrality.