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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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+
What the Future Holds
In the near future, the river grandstand and terrace, new communication and meeting zones, and a unified green space concept will be completed. In addition, the construction of a parking garage with up to 600 spaces is planned.
