![[Translate to Englisch:] Zellstoffwerk St. Magdalen um 1959](/fileadmin/user_upload/zellstoffwerk-st.-magdalen-1959-c-museum-archiv-der-stadt-villach.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Zellstoffwerk St. Magdalen um 1959")
The history of tpv began around 120 years ago. Here you can read the most important dates and facts about what has happened since then, and how a pulp mill has turned into an international campus.
1902
Founding of the Pulp Mill
In 1902 the green light was given for the Villach/St. Magdalen industrial area. With the opening of the cellulose processing factory in St. Magdalen bei Villach, the Magdalen site became the most important business location in the Alps-Adriatic region.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Postkarte von der Papierfabrik in St. Magdalen](/fileadmin/user_upload/magdalen-1905-papierfabrik-postkarte-c-villach-topothek-gundula-stroitz.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Magdalen Papierfabrik 1905")
1989
Closure of the Pulp Mill
Due to falling global market prices, management mistakes, and frequently changing ownership, the St. Magdalen pulp mill closed in 1989.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Zellstoffwerk St. Magdalen](/fileadmin/user_upload/zellstoffwerk-st.-magdalen-c-villach-topothek-anton-tuma.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Zellstoffwerk St. Magdalen")
1997
Acquisition of Existing Areas
In order to have access to a large contiguous area, the City of Villach purchased not only the land owned by the former pulp mill but also additional land owned by private individuals.
1998
Founding of the “Electronic Park Villach GmbH” EPV
In order to keep up in the future as a strong business and development site, the City of Villach established the “EPV” and focused from the beginning on the three-pillar model as a core concept: research & development, high quality education & continuing education, and innovative companies.
1999
Urban Design Competition Technology Campaign
The City of Villach announced an urban design competition for the tpv. The “urLaub” design concept from the Graz architecture firm Kletzl won.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Modell Architekturwettbewerb St. Magdalen](/fileadmin/user_upload/architektur-wettbewerb-st.magdalen-modell-c-stadt-villach-karin-wernig.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Technologiepark Villach Modell")
2000
Breaking Ground on Building T01
Ground was successfully broken for the building “T01” in the year 2000, which the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences subsequently moved into.
2001
Opening of tpv
In September 2001 the leaseholders - Carinthia University of Applied Sciences - Technikum Carinthia, CTR AG, and companies such as Micronas or addIT - moved into Building “T01”.
2002
Completion of Building T02
The priority for the new building was attracting high-tech companies from the fields of microelectronics, geomatics, telecommunications and information technology, and renewable energy. Principle leaseholders were INTEL and KAI.
2004
WIFI Villach Moves into tpv
In November 2004 the regional office of the Chamber of Commerce and WIFI Villach moved into the Technology Park in Villach-St. Magdalen.
![[Translate to Englisch:] WKO und WIFI im Technologiepark Villach](/fileadmin/user_upload/wifi-wko-technologiepark-villach-c-stadt-villach-karin-wernig.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] WKO und WIFI im Technologiepark Villach")
2010
Opening of the Science & Energy Labs of the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences
The new laboratory center on the Villach campus opened in June 2010 and offers students the largest and best-equipped laboratory in southern Austria.
2012
Opening of the STUWO Student Residence
The opening of the new student residence in October 2012 helped further internationalize the tvp campus.
2012
T.I.P.S. GmbH Moves to the Site
The company T.I.P.S. (Technical Innovation – Physical Solutions) Messtechnik moved into its own building in the Technology Park Villach.
2014
Opening of Gemeinnützige Personalservice Kärnten GmbH (GPS)
In September 2014 the skilled workers training center moved into its new site in the Technology Park.
2014
Breaking Ground on the HTCV
Carinthia took a further step onto its future path and began the first phase of construction on the High Tech Campus (HTC) Villach. Subsequently, companies like Silicon Austria Labs, build! start-up incubator, and the university’s Department of Technology and IT moved in.
2021
Construction Begins on the Building “BA02”
The second phase of construction on HTCV High Tech Campus Villach started in March 2021. The main leaseholder will be SAL Silicon Austria Labs GmbH, with office and laboratory spaces as well as a cleanroom.
2022
Opening of the Building “BA02”
In June 2022, the second building of the High Tech Campus Villach was handed over to its main tenant Silicon Austria Labs.
2022
Installation of the New Visitor Guidance System
At the end of 2022, the first part of the new visitor interior guidance system was installed in the tpv. For this purpose, the building surfaces were labeled alphabetically throughout and oversized, illuminated letters were placed.
2022
Commissioning of the New EMV Labor
At the end of 2022, the EMC measurement and testing laboratory “EMV Mess- und Prüflabor” relocated from Warmbad to its newly constructed building at the tpv and commenced operations there.
2023
Groundbreaking for Campo
In September 2023, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for the new training and education campus "Campo" by GPS Carinthia at the tpv.
2023
Opening of Austria’s Largest Research Cleanroom
In October 2023, the largest research cleanroom in Austria was opened at the tpv site by the top research center Silicon Austria Labs.
2024
Start of Construction for the River Grandstand and Flood Protection
In early 2024, construction began along the Drau River on a river grandstand with seating steps and the first phase of the flood protection system. As part of this, the existing bike path was also rerouted.
2024
Redesign of the tpv Entrance
In 2024, the entrance area of the TPV was artistically redesigned under the direction of Anita Wiegele and Samuel Gasser, in collaboration with apprentices and students, and was ceremoniously unveiled.
2024
Opening of Kindergarten and Mini Educational Lab
At the beginning of the new kindergarten year, the municipal kindergarten at the tpv location opened its doors. The new building also includes the Mini Educational Lab, which promotes early STEM education.
![[Translate to Englisch:] Kindergarten im Technologiepark Villach](/fileadmin/user_upload/technologiepark-kindergarten-mel-c-digitallotsen.at.jpg "[Translate to Englisch:] Kindergarten im Technologiepark Villach")
2024
Opening of Campo
At the end of 2024, the new training and education campus “Campo” officially opened. The Infineon Apprenticeship Campus moved here from St. Andrä. bfi Carinthia and WIFI Carinthia are also among the tenants.
2024
Opening of the Third T.I.P.S. Building
In 2024, T.I.P.S. GmbH opened its third company building at the TPV site, further expanding its presence in the Technology Park Villach.
2025
Opening of the GPS Vocational Workshop
The new GPS vocational workshop at Technology Park Villach officially opened in spring 2025, further expanding the range of training and development opportunities available on site.
2025
Establishment of the Biodiversity Center
In 2025, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences reached an important milestone in environmental research with the establishment of its first Biodiversity Center at Technology Park Villach.
2025
Extoll Joins Technology Park Villach
In June 2025, Technology Park Villach welcomed Extoll, another innovative high-tech company, to the site.
2025
Opening of the Riverside Grandstand
Completed in summer 2025, the Riverside Grandstand project, which began the previous year, created a new space on the banks of the river Drau for people to meet, connect and exchange ideas.
2025
New KELAG Fast-Charging Stations
In November 2025, the site's electric vehicle charging infrastructure was expanded with the commissioning of new KELAG fast-charging stations at the High Tech Campus Villach (HTCV).
2026
Demolition of the KELAG Chimney
In June 2026, one of the Technology Park's most distinctive landmarks, the old brick chimney of the KELAG combined heat and power plant, was demolished for safety reasons.
2026
25 Years of Technology Park Villach
Twenty-five years after its official opening in 2001, Technology Park Villach celebrates its anniversary with a special evening reception and an Open Day, marking a quarter-century of innovation and development.
2026+
What the Future Holds
Technology Park Villach continues to evolve. A coordinated green-space concept and new areas for meeting and exchange will further enhance the site. Additional buildings and development projects are already in the planning stages.
