Nothing wasted
The example of Austria shows that not only does innovation in environmental protection and the conservation of energy and natural resources have a positive impact on economic growth and employment, it can be profitable business too. After success on their own market, a number of Austrian companies present in these sectors are seeking their fortunes in Poland.
According to the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO), over 330 companies are active in the Austrian environmental solutions sector, all of which offer technological solutions aimed at protecting the environment. In Austria, these companies together employ 17,200 workers and their revenues amount to around EUR 3.78 (zł.13.8) billion annually.
Potential in the pipeline
Rabmer Bau Gruppe is a company which repairs pipes for water supply and sewage systems without excavating. Comapnies find the firm's repair system useful because digging to repair underground pipelines is sometimes impossible or requires a hefty financial investment. The company operates in 12 countries, including Poland.
Clusterland Oberösterreich, a government institution serving companies from the Upper Austria region which are active in the environmental solutions sector, also noted the potential in this area of market. "Poland's sewage repair market has a future for Austrian specialists," it said in a report.
Taking out the trash
Mueller Abfallprojekte (MA) is an Austrian firm which prepared and implemented waste-management and recycling schemes for the communities of Strzelce Opolskie and Jemielnica. The two gminas are home to a total of around 41,000 citizens, producing around 10,000 tonnes of waste annually - around 240 kg of waste per capita per year.
Work on the project began in 2002 and lasted a year, and successfully reduced the level of the two towns' waste. Organic waste is now recycled and used as compost, and some areas in these communities recycle paper and glass. Along with its tangible effects, the project also promoted and improved environmental awareness among the locals.
Bright prospects
The Austrian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management has described the developing European market for environmental solutions as having significant potential. Around 3.5 million people are employed in this sector throughout Europe and annual turnover was estimated to be EUR 216 (zł.789) billion in 2006. That amounts to around one-third of the world's turnover in the environmental solutions sector.
The ministry expects the value of turnover in the sector to reach EUR 591 (zł.2,160) billion annually by 2010. Hi-tech and new technology solutions, especially those which transform waste into recycled products with a market value, have the best prospects for the future.
Among the other Austrian companies active in this sector in Poland are: M-U-T GesmbH; Komptech; Austrian Water; Lindner-Recyclingtech; SFC Umwelttechnik; and Inowa Abwassertechnologie.
