Lisec Is Awarded the Austrian State Prize 2012

Date: 6 June 2012

On Tuesday evening, the State Prize ‘Clean Technology Austria’ was awarded for the third time. The winners of the three categories, with three nominees each, had been selected by an independent panel of experts and were announced on May 22 during a gala dinner at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

Austria’s Minister of the Environment, Nikolaus Berlakovich, presented the Prize in the category of ‘Environment & Climate’; the Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Reinhold Mitterlehner, presented the Prize for ‘Energy & Efficiency’; and Doris Bures, Minister of Technology, presented the Prize for 'Research & Innovation'. This year a total of over 200 projects were submitted. The best project in each category was awarded the State Prize by the minister responsible.

f.l. Lisec Head of R&D Leopold Mader, Minister of Technology Doris Boris and CEO Karl Gruber

A Testament of Lisec’s Innovative Strength

Lisec’s project, Weight and Energy Efficiency Optimisation with Flat Glass Systems was selected as the winner in 'Research & Innovation' from a very large number of projects submitted. “Winning this award is something we can be very proud of,” Karl Gruber said in praise of his team’s achievements. "It is testament to our innovative strength and shows that we are on the right path," he continues.

The innovative tempering technology ensures greater mechanical stability and increased flexibility, in particular of thin glass. Furthermore, when used in insulating glass, it can significantly reduce the weight of triple units. The new technology almost halves energy consumption during the manufacture and transport of panels from 25 kWh/m² (4 mm glass) to only 14.2 kWh/m² (2 mm glass, the tempering process included), which again results in an increased estimated life cycle for glazed units.

Lightweight, flexible but still robust glass sheets without optical distortions are the perfect solution for modern architecture. But also the PV and the solar industry can benefit from the innovative thin glass, for example by using it in cold-bent CSP mirrors or glass-glass modules.

Besides the improved material properties and the high potential for resource and energy savings, the expert panel particularly emphasised the technology’s great market potential. “After the State Prize for Innovation we were awarded in 2007, and given the growing challenges we are facing worldwide, winning this award is a welcome tribute,” says Head of Innovation Mr Mader. As a pioneer in the field, Lisec has established a tradition of innovative strength. “Innovation distinguishes us from others, as our customers know; and our innovation also makes us an attractive employer for talented engineers who bring new ideas to the table," Mr Mader continues.

Thing lass bent under cold conditions opens up new possibilities in architecture.

A Positive Direction for 2012

Lisec can look back on a long history of great success. Last year the company celebrated its 50‑year anniversary, and only recently they announced another major success: The Group achieved a 25 % increase in sales for the 2011 calendar year. Every region worldwide saw improvements to their respective business and was able to achieve targeted goals.

In spite of the current reluctance of Western European players to invest, Lisec is looking positively towards the future. “The year has started slowly, just like others did before it. But the State Prize2012 , and the Düsseldorf trade show in October give us great momentum going into the second half of the year and we are enthusiastic about the future,” Mr Gruber says.