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Innovation Award

2022

Yesterday, the Gesäuse Partner Network presented the Innovation Award for the region's greatest innovations for the fourth time. A globally unique invention won over the jury: Hagauer & Matl-schvveiger OG took first place with a new process for safely extinguishing metal fires with cellulose. Silver and bronze went to Daniela Fößleitner's Blühmelei in Ardning and the CO2-neutral company forstauers in Gams near Hieflau. The prizes were awarded during the Gesäuse Partner's end-of-year celebrations.

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"Natural Fire Fighting"

1ST PLACE

The idea for Natural Fire Fighting was preceded by a tragic event: After the major fire at the magnesium processing company Georg Fischer in Altenmarkt in 2016, the fire brigade and Red Cross incident commanders quickly realised that a solution was needed for the previously inextinguishable magnesium fire. Magnesium is widely used as a light metal in industry, but burns at 3,000 degrees Celsius and reacts highly explosively to conventional extinguishing agents. After around five years of development, Hagauer & Matlschweiger OG has now developed a biodegradable extinguishing agent made from environmentally friendly cellulose and applied for a patent. The idea was also selected as one of the top three projects for the 2022 Research Prize by the Austrian Road Safety Board. Future production will also be based in the Gesäuse, thereby generating local economic output.

„Blümelei“ 

2ND PLACE

Second place went to Daniela Fößleitner's Blühmelei in Ardning, which scores highly with cut flowers from sustainable cultivation. Cut flowers from monocultures often travel halfway around the world as a fresh product before they go on sale. However, the slowflowers from Blühmelei are allowed to grow in their own time and bloom in their natural rhythm. Attention is paid to healthy soil and the natural cycle. All pesticides and cultivation under glasshouses are avoided in order to promote insect life as much as possible. The soil is also cultivated without machinery as far as possible. The aim? To have a positive impact on biodiversity and also bring joy to as many people as possible - with pesticide-free and seasonally produced flowers from the region.

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„Forstauer´s“

3RD PLACE

Birgit and Matthias Schmiedberger won the bronze award with their CO2-neutral business forstauers in Garns near Hieflau. Their business consists of a brewery, two restaurants, two holiday homes, a hydroelectric power plant, two PV systems and their farm. The Schmiedbergers are already CO2-neutral in many areas. The installation of nitrogen generators in the restaurant and brewery has also saved 5,000 kilograms of climate-damaging CO2 per year. As a positive side effect, the foam stability of the beer has improved and the company is now less dependent on the chemical industry. Additional potential can be saved by further expanding the PV system.