Wood as a high-tech material for mobility, industry and logistics: ‘THE POWER OF WOOD’, held on 21 October 2026 in Weiz, focused on new industrial applications, the latest research findings and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. Together with businesses, research organisations and Styrian cluster organisations, the Wood Vision Lab demonstrated how innovative ideas are transformed into marketable solutions.
Wood can be so much more than just a traditional building material. As a renewable raw material, a CO₂ sink and a high-performance lightweight construction material, it opens up new possibilities for a wide range of industrial sectors. The event “THE POWER OF WOOD – Future. Innovation. High-tech wood.”, held at the Holzwelten facility of Weitzer Woodsolutions in Weiz, demonstrated just how far development has already progressed.
Practical examples from Siemens Mobility, Daimler Truck and FB Industry Automation illustrated how wood-hybrid solutions are already being used today in mobility, rail transport and logistics. The applications range from vehicle components and side-impact beams to battery trays and solutions for energy technology.
Wood Vision Lab: From research to market
The Wood Vision Lab in Weiz is establishing itself as a European innovation hub for wood and wood-hybrid materials in lightweight construction. Building on more than ten years of research and development, the centre supports companies from the initial idea right through to industrial implementation.
From autumn 2027, a new building with a floor area of more than 2,000 square metres is set to be available for this purpose. Plans include a technical centre with research and development infrastructure, networking areas and event spaces. This will provide companies, start-ups and research institutions with new opportunities for joint development.
Cooperation as a driver of innovation
The speed talk organised by the Styrian cluster organisations also highlighted just how important cross-sector collaboration is for new technologies. Alongside Green Tech Valley, participants included the Styrian Timber Cluster, ACstyria, Human.technology Styria, Silicon Alps, the Styrian Internationalisation Centre and the SFG.
Christiane Varga’s keynote speech, ‘The future grows where new things are connected: wood, innovation and the power of networking’, took up this theme. The focus was on how different sectors, areas of expertise and networks can jointly tap into new potential for innovation and strengthen the region’s competitiveness.
Views on the future of high-tech timber
Willibald Ehrenhöfer, Styrian Provincial Councillor for Future Development:
“Wood is a key factor in Styria’s economic landscape. We have successful businesses across the entire value chain and outstanding research. This synergy ensures that a traditional raw material is further developed into a material that offers a range of potential applications for our businesses. This strengthens regional value creation and, consequently, the competitiveness of the local economy. The Wood Vision Lab is a key driver of this development.”
Christoph Ludwig, SFG – Styrian Economic Development Agency m.b.H.:
“Innovation arises where different areas of expertise, perspectives and sectors come together. It is precisely the combination of material innovation, technological know-how and creative thinking that opens up new possibilities – for example, when wood is reimagined beyond its traditional areas of application. As the business development agency for the Province of Styria, we specifically promote this cross-sector exchange, thereby laying the foundations for innovative applications, new value creation and the sustainable strengthening of our business location.”
Bernadette Karner & Helmut Wiedenhofer, Managing Directors of Wood Vision Lab GmbH:
“The Power of Wood” demonstrates just how versatile and high-performing wood can be as a raw material today. Whether in the transport sector, mechanical and plant engineering, logistics or consumer goods, wood is increasingly becoming a key structural and lightweight construction material. The Wood Vision Lab acts as a pioneering centre in Styria and is actively shaping the resource and energy transition with innovative solutions.
Martin F. Karner, CEO of Weitzer Woodsolutions GmbH:
“The pioneering phase is over; now comes the scaling-up. After more than ten years of research, wood and wood-hybrid materials are now ready for series production in numerous high-tech applications. With Weitzer Woodsolutions’ investment project, we are building a bridge from development to industrial implementation. The industrialisation of wood as a material is already underway – with enormous potential for value creation, competitiveness and technological sovereignty in Europe.”