Groundbreaking ceremony for SAN Biotech Park
In the presence of Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and National Council Jochen Danninger, the groundbreaking ceremony for SAN Biotech Park in Herzogenburg, Lower Austria was the start of the construction of the newest regional headquarters and the center for research and development of SAN Group. The investment of about 40 million euros and the creation of 200 jobs are an important stimulus for the region.
High-level representatives were present at the groundbreaking ceremony for SAN Biotech Park in Herzogenburg, Lower Austria which will become the new SAN Group regional headquarters and the global center for research and development. In the presence of Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, National Council Jochen Danninger, Mayor Christoph Artner, and the management board of the SAN Group, the groundbreaking ceremony took place. It signaled the start of the construction work which will take place in two phases, and is to be completed in winter 2023.
The first phase will include the construction of the industrial building with the first green hydrogen production plant in Lower Austria. It will be operated with 100% renewable energy. On the roof of the company-owned industrial park, a photovoltaic system with a performance of 1.5 MW will be installed for the supply of the electrolysis. The plant will start operation in spring 2022. The project partner is the Upper-Austrian family-owned company Fronius International GmbH.
In the second phase, the central office and laboratory building will be built. The architectonically attractive round building will be the regional headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as a global center for research and development of the SAN Group. The 9,000 sqm building will provide space for 200 work places, laboratories and 120 underground parking spaces. “Light-flooded rooms, state-of-the-art office and laboratory equipment, our own daycare center and a restaurant for our employees are only a few of the features which will make SAN Biotech Park a top-level workplace,” says Erich Erber, founder and president of SAN Group. The research and development on site primarily focus on agro-biotechnology. Sustainable plant protection and veterinary medical products are core topics. The property makes possible the further expansion of up to 6,000 sqm of usable space for future extensions of the SAN Biotech Park.
The entire building complex is based on sustainable planning and construction. “The central concept of the building is its resource efficiency, be it particularly sustainable building technology with photovoltaic systems, downhole heat exchanger and waste heat recovery, or collection of rainwater from the flat roofs for operating the sanitary systems,” explains Johann Trauninger, Head of Real Estate Development of SAN Group. Ecological and long-lasting construction materials, 100% LED lighting, and green roof and facades also have a positive effect on the life-cycle assessment of the building.
The planning of SAN Biotech Park was done by ARGE SWAP Architektur – iC consulenten. The construction project will be implemented by STRABAG as general constructor. The open space is designed by PlanSinn, and they primarily use local plant types. The main building will be move-in ready in winter 2023.
