ecoplus companies & technology TEMPUS project KNOWTS Speaker: Harald Bleier| Date:

ecoplus Technopols  Technology orientated business location development  Start: in April 2004, Duration: 7 years  Requirements: R&D, university education and economy at one place with synergetic emphases  Objective: to strengthen and develop existing R&D facilities and locations in Lower Austria in a technological context.  Tools: Function as a hub – initiate – support – coordinate - control of applied R&D-projects and its realization into market  Technopol locations at Wr. Neustadt, Tulln, Krems, Wieselburg

ecoplus Internationalization  International market development with focus on new EU member nations  Supporting & encouraging cross-border contacts and projects in particular for Lower Austrian SMEs  on-site advice and support (Business agencies in Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, Warsaw and Timisoara)

ecoplus Networks & Clusters head of department co-operation supportinternational projectsPR & marketingback office green building cluster (2003) Focus: energy efficient construction & refurbishment, healthy interior environments food cluster (2006) Focus: food safety, regional und bio-products plastics cluster (Lower Austria in 2005) Focus: bioplastics logistics cluster (2008) Focus: modal split, bundling (empty runs) mechatronics cluster (2010) Focus: energy efficiency in production processes automotive cluster vienna region (2001) Focus: automotive suppliers, internationalisation e-mobility Initiative (2010) platform for e-mobility activities and projects of communities & companies

Companies Research Institutes Universities Cluster management: Bridge between policy makers, companies and R&D - Regional technological specializations Involvement of SMEs in R&D projects - Education programmes - Favourable framework conditions - Design of financial incentives -“Translation” policy - business - Sustainable economic policy - Fields of strength Policy makers regional, national, EU Cluster management - “Translation” SMEs - R&D - Initiating R&D projects - PM in complex collective research projects - Dissemination of R&D results

eco plus Integration in Lower Austria‘s Regional Innovation Strategy Regional organisations NÖW WST 3 NÖG Tec- net NÖB EG RIZ Desti- nations TIPs Bild. Ges. Networking & Clustering Innovation R & D Interna- tionalisation Technology Company development Start-ups Company settlement Strategic corner pillars Strategy development and monitoring Financing Regional institutions Regional Funds + ERDF Reg. Competition & Employment

Services of cluster initiatives Cooperation: Initiation and consultancy of innovative (cooperative) projects Information and communication: homepage, cluster data base, newsletter, study trips, company visits… Qualification: professional seminars/workshops, Initiation and organisation of qualification projects (e.g. continuous improvement process),.. Marketing: Joint project-PR, joint exhibition at fairs, media cooperation Internationalisation: international events/fairs, international projects, networking between different clusters (CEE Cluster Network),…

Plastics Cluster

Best Practice Example: „Biopacking“

Further Information Harald Bleier Project Manager Networks & Clusters ecoplus. The Business Agency of Lower Austria Niederösterreichring 2, Haus A 3100 St.Pölten, Austria