Lightweight construction in Austria. Status quo, trends, and policy options for the Austrian and European light-weight community, with a focus on mobility

Abstract

Lightweight construction, as a set of cross-sectional technologies, has the potential to contribute to several challenges, which are prevalent now and in the near future. Starting from the mobility sector, which has traditionally been a key driver for innovation for lightweighting, it has the potential to contribute to resource and energy efficiency in a broad set of sectors and locations as long as it does not contradict, i.e., complies with the principles of a circular economy. This study investigates lightweight construction in Austria. For that purpose, we identify relevant actors in Austria, show the economic significance of the lightweight construction sector, and present the development of applied research projects in different lightweight relevant technology fields supported by the Austrian R&D agency FFG. Subsequently, we present the research and development potentials for Austrian companies as well as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks of lightweight construction in Austria. We finally set the Austrian lightweight construction ‘sector’ in an international context, based on Horizon research funding data, a comprehensive overview of lightweight topics at international congresses, and an investigation of the importance of lightweight construction at the strategic level in selected countries.