Wood is a true all-rounder. It can score points over other materials not only for its CO2 storage, but also for its low weight and the fact that it is a renewable raw material. This gives it a clear advantage over components made of carbon, aluminium, glass fibre, steel or plastic in many possible applications. The new application possibilities for wood-based lightweight hybrid components in mobility, plant and mechanical engineering and beyond are virtually unlimited. This means that components and products can not only be made more environmentally friendly, but entire industries can be made more sustainable and future-proof.
Fire-resistant and robust thanks to expertise
It all depends on the right processing. After all, when processed correctly, the raw material does not splinter, fulfils the highest fire protection requirements and is extremely durable. Several prototypes have already been developed in past projects. The expertise gained now serves as the basis for the next big step. For the first time, the Wood Vision Lab is taking a holistic approach along the entire value chain. In the sense of a circular economy, wood can be used multiple times. Until now, we have only known wood to be used as fuel at the end of its life cycle. Now, other areas of use are conceivable in between, such as as a highly stressed structural component in a vehicle.
The application perspective is also holistic: basic and applied research are not decoupled from the application possibilities, but are the beginning of this cycle, at the end of which there is close cooperation with users. For the sustainable dissemination of knowledge, an endowed professorship funded by the Province of Styria will be docked to the Wood Vision Lab at Graz University of Technology, focussing on ‘Bio-based crash-proof and lightweight materials’. In order to enable the anchoring of expertise beyond the research level, company cooperations are promoted and companies are supported in developing new knowledge and future markets in this area as part of a so-called accelerator.
Wood Vision Lab: Unique in Europe
This bundling of all steps from the idea to research and implementation is unique in Europe. The Wood Vision Lab will be located in a new building as part of the W.E.I.Z. innovation centre, which has already been a driving force for innovative knowledge transfer and location policy far beyond the Weiz region in its 25-year history as a Styrian impulse centre.
16 Million Euros Investment
The Wood Vision Lab is made possible by the cooperation of renowned partners from the fields of industry, the public and science: the main investors are the city of Weiz with W.E.I.Z. Immobilien GmbH and the Weitzer Group, which have played a leading role in driving the research and industrialisation journey to date. In addition, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft mbH (SFG), JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH and Graz University of Technology.
An investment volume of around 16 million euros is planned for the realisation of this pioneering project. This start-up phase is being supported by various funding programmes from the European Union, the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology and the Province of Styria.
