Forward-thinking research projects, interdisciplinary exchange of information, and close collaboration between the university, industry and business mark the grand opening of a unique research and development center at the Johannes Kepler University Linz: the LIT Open Innovation Center and its own testing facility, the LIT Factory. A consortium featuring industry and business representatives supports process innovation in the field of polymer technology and digitization. A digital SPAR flagship store rounds out the research center's portfolio.

The new LIT Open Innovation Center, the Johannes Kepler University, and the Austrian public real estate management company Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft are boosting innovation by creating a collaborative environment for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary groups to conduct research in support of technological innovation. SMEs in particular are to be given low-threshold access to university expertise. The LIT Factory is a testing facility to conduct research with industry and business representatives on smart (digital) innovations in the field of polymer technologies.

Located southwest of the campus adjacent to the TN Tower which is home the Faculty of Engineering & Natural Sciences, the LIT Open Innovation Center is committed to knowledge transfer, providing 8,000 m² of space to house an open think-tank and a creative workshop based on shared-office principles. In addition to the JKU Labs, the co-working deskspaces can also be used by industry and business representatives.

The LIT Factory is a business-oriented, open infrastructure testing lab designed to conduct innovative research in the field of polymer technologies. Located in the northern section of the LIT OIC building, there are three aisles with 1,480 m² of usable floor space to focus on injection molding, extrusion and recycling. An innovative production line is available to explore and test the potential of digital transformation, innovative materials for lightweight construction, and sustainable recycling management.

The LIT Open Innovation Center does justice to support the Linz Institute of Technology’s holistic approach. Responsible research in technology must also take the social, legal and economic aspects of new developments into account.

In addition to the LIT Open Innovation Center and the LIT Factory, a new 300 m² SPAR supermarket also opened its doors: customers can try out new technological innovations at the digital flagship store such as the self-checkout option or pre-ordering food or snacks via an app.