© AIT/APA-Fotoservice/Martin Hörmandinger
Nefi Conference 2026: Industrial Transformation as an Opportunity
200 experts from 14 countries gathered in Vienna to discuss innovations and the framework conditions for a climate-neutral, competitive industry.
How can industrial transformation become a competitive advantage? Under the motto ‘Future Industry – Innovating for Competitiveness’, the fourth NEFI Conference brought together around 200 representatives from industry, research and politics from 14 countries at the MuseumsQuartier Vienna on 22 and 23 October. Across 13 thematic sessions featuring around 80 scientific presentations, the focus was on implementation: scaling up technologies, strengthening framework conditions and facilitating investment.
“Industrial transformation is not an end in itself – it is a prerequisite for the competitiveness of an economy in transition towards climate neutrality,” said Bernhard Gahleitner, NEFI consortium coordinator at AIT. “With the NEFI Impact Report presented here, we are demonstrating the contribution our 55 projects make to the climate, the economy and resilience – and where the next levers for action lie.”
Insights from science, industry and infrastructure
- Keynotes: Stefan Lechtenböhmer (University of Kassel), Mercedes Maroto-Valer (Heriot-Watt University/IDRIC), Alexander Sauer (University of Stuttgart/Fraunhofer IPA) and Christian Wallner (KELAG) highlighted technological and systemic success factors – from process design to energy infrastructure.
- Panel discussion: Martin Graf (Energie Steiermark), Thomas Kienberger (Leoben University of Mining and Technology), Stephan Laiminger (INNIO Jenbacher), Judith Neyer (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism) and Urban Peyker (Climate and Energy Fund) discussed the key levers for accelerating progress and scaling up initiatives.
Key conclusion: Austrian companies can enhance their international competitiveness through a climate-resilient industry – provided that a stable political framework, targeted R&D funding, and demonstration and investment projects bridge the gap to practical implementation. Funding instruments were highlighted as a crucial lever for implementation.
Virtual Industry Lab officially opened
The evening before, NEFI had already demonstrated how digitalisation accelerates implementation: the NEFI Virtual Industry Lab (VIL) was opened as an XR showroom and tool hub. The immersive experiences and digital tools developed by AIT support companies in planning sustainable energy and resource systems. Case studies from the brick, pharmaceutical and paper industries illustrated how visualisation and optimisation create investment certainty.
Young talent in the spotlight: Young Scientist Award 2026
Due to the high quality of the entries, two first prizes and one third prize were awarded:
- 1st place: Maria Berchiche, Mines Paris–PSL (France) – “Planning CO₂ Infrastructure for Industrial Decarbonisation: A Spatial Approach to Network Deployment Across Europe.”
- 1st place: Susanne Hochmeister, Montanuniversität Leoben – “Decentralised CO₂ Sinks Based on Mineral Carbonation in Austria: Results from the DeCarbStore Project.”
- 3rd place: Michael Schüngel, University of Kassel (Germany) – “EU Petrochemical Industry Pathways: Carbon Management and Circular Economy in a Cross-Sectoral Perspective.”
The awards are supported by INNIO, Kelag-Kärntner Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft and OMV.
“Innovation will determine tomorrow’s industrial competitiveness,” emphasised Thomas Kienberger. The key pathways were discussed across 13 sessions: electrification and efficiency, flexibility, renewable gases, CCU/S, the circular economy and industrial symbiosis – with a clear focus on scaling up in real-world operations.
Further information and enquiries: www.nefi.at/en/