1 July 2026 Austria strengthens research and technology infrastructures for a future-ready industry by joining ECCSEL ERIC

European research infrastructures enhance the innovation location and support the implementation of the Austrian industry strategy.

With Austria joining European Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage Laboratory – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ECCSEL ERIC), the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) takes another significant step to strengthen Austria's position as a research, innovation, and industrial location. Access to Europe's leading network for research and technology infrastructures in the field of carbon management opens up new opportunities for science and business and deepens European cooperation in strategically important future technologies.

Research and technology infrastructures are a central component of efficient innovation systems. They bridge the gap between research and business, facilitate the development, testing, and demonstration of new technologies, and accelerate their path to industrial application. Especially in times of tight budgets and increasing international competition, the shared use of European research infrastructures helps to efficiently utilise existing resources, exploit synergies, and strengthen Europe's innovative capacity.

Joining ECCSEL ERIC also makes a concrete contribution to implementing the Austrian industry strategy. This emphasises the expansion of strategic technology competences, the strengthening of research and innovation, and closer networking between science and industry as essential prerequisites for a competitive industrial location.

Through membership, Austria gains access to a Europe-wide network with more than 150 research and demonstration infrastructures in the areas of CO₂ capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), geothermal energy, and underground energy storage, particularly hydrogen. At the same time, Austrian research and technology infrastructures become part of this European network and gain international visibility. This opens new opportunities for joint research and innovation projects as well as knowledge and technology transfer within Europe. 

Innovation Minister Hanke: “The competitiveness of our industrial location critically depends on how quickly new technologies can be developed and brought into application. European research and technology infrastructures play a key role in this. By joining ECCSEL ERIC, we strengthen Austria as a research and innovation location, create new opportunities for science and business, and take another crucial step towards implementing our industry strategy.” 

Climate and Energy Fund coordinates Austrian network 

Bernd Vogl, Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Fund: “In recent years, the Climate and Energy Fund has built comprehensive know-how through numerous funding initiatives in the field of research, innovation, and climate-relevant key technologies. By leading the Net-Zero Industries Mission and collaborating closely with research institutions, universities, and companies, we understand the Austrian innovation landscape as well as the demands of international cooperation. We now purposefully bring this experience into the coordination of ECCSEL ERIC to network Austrian and European players and research infrastructures and to uncover new innovation potentials for the industry.” 

The Climate and Energy Fund will coordinate Austrian activities within ECCSEL ERIC as the National Node. It supports domestic research institutions, universities, and companies in accessing the European network and promotes the networking of Austrian partners with international research and innovation actors.