As of 30 September 2026, the Salzburg Center for Smart Materials 2.0 looks back on more than three years of developing materials from biogenic residual resources, providing pre-competitive consulting services, and supporting SMEs with scientific expertise in addressing a wide range of research and innovation challenges.
In this collaborative research project, scientists from the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (Department of Chemistry and Physics of Materials) and FH Salzburg (Department of Design and Green Engineering) are working together on the materials of tomorrow. In addition to bark, straw and lignin, the project has also found new applications for more unconventional raw materials in materials research, such as lipstick, amino acids and coffee grounds, using them as adhesives, surface coatings or even as tabletops.
The Scale-Up Centre, funded by the State of Salzburg, has not only advanced materials development but has also placed a strong emphasis on technology transfer and the demonstration of prototypes in real-world settings. Notable achievements include the restoration of the historic Prince's Chamber in Salzburg using biogenic 3D printing, the upscaling of materials from laboratory-scale production to a pre-industrial level, and the testing of bio-based adhesives for suitability in the construction industry.
Through the activities of the Centre, more than 40 companies have benefited from pre-competitive consulting, collaborative publicly funded research projects and contract research services, extending well beyond the borders of Salzburg to locations as far afield as Bonn. The project has also strengthened the international network of Salzburg's research community through collaborations with scientific partners worldwide. Its achievements include 10 scientific publications, 6 presentations at international conferences, and the submission of more than 5 international collaborative research projects, representing just a small part of the Centre's success story.
