Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL) - Chair of Casting Research
The core competences of the University of Leoben extend along the value-added cycle from raw material to finished product to recycling. It is almost the only university with a closed knowledge base in these core topics.

We work in close cooperation with the University of Leoben, Chair of Casting Research. This ranges from joint acquisitions and the operation of large-scale research equipment to the training and practice of students in the foundry technology centre of the ÖGI. In addition, the professor of the chair is in the management of the ÖGI and the rector and vice-rector are represented on the board of the ÖGI. The ÖGI with its application-oriented service and R&D focus thus sees itself as a bridge from teaching and research at the MUL to the industrial implementation.

PROGUSS AUSTRIA
The main task of the PROGUSS-AUSTRIA association is the publication of the trade journal "Gießereirundschau", of which the ÖGI is also a co-editor and the results of publicly funded research projects are published regularly.

The association PROGUSS-AUSTRIA (formerly Verein Österreichischer Gießereifachleute) has as its purpose the initiation and maintenance of intensive contacts of its members in the field of the entire foundry industry and the related supply areas in scientific, technical and social relations.

PROGUSS AUSTRIA shall also contribute to the formation of opinion on the foundry industry and support the image promotion of the foundry industry and its castings.

The activities of the association are not profit-oriented and pursue exclusively and directly non-profit purposes.

Association of Metaltechnology Industries (FMTI) - Occupational Group Foundry Industry
The Foundry Industry Occupational Group is part of the FMTI. This is the Austrian representative body for all companies in the mechanical engineering, plant construction, steel construction and metal goods industries and, with 16 professional groups, is the largest professional association in Austria.

This means that the ÖGI is also embedded in Austria's largest trade association through the professional group Foundry Industry and has access and networking opportunities to the entire metal-producing and metal-processing industry in Austria.

ACR – Austrian Cooperative Research
ACR – Austrian Cooperative Research is the umbrella organisation of cooperative non-university research institutes that primarily supports small and medium-sized enterprises in the field of application-oriented research, development and innovation. The ÖGI has been a member of this umbrella organisation since its foundation in 1954.

Due to the heterogeneity and professional diversity as well as similar interests of the institutes, cross-sectoral topics with a focus on SMEs can be dealt with unbureaucratically and smoothly. In addition, the bundling of common interests provides better visibility with funding agencies and stakeholders, and SMEs, like the majority of foundries, receive an additional voice for their justified concerns.

The research areas include sustainable construction, environmental technology and renewable energies, food quality and safety, products, processes and materials, innovation and competitiveness, and digitalisation.

ACstyria
The Styrian automotive cluster ACstyria represents a network of over 300 companies in the automotive, aerospace and rail systems sectors - with over 70,000 employees and a total turnover of more than 17 billion euros. The core service of the cluster, which has existed since 1995, is the networking and support of Styrian companies along the entire value chain. It sees itself as a link between business, industry, research and public institutions.

The ÖGI has been a member of this network since its foundation and contributes its expertise in the field of foundry technology and offers specialised seminars for casting users through the ACstyria Academy.

Funding institutions

Research funding is essential for a non-profit cooperative research institute. Without it, it would not be possible to carry out research to build up internal know-how, upgrade the qualifications of staff and develop new fields of research, nor would it be possible to carry out research projects of general interest to support the economy.

The ÖGI is guided by the requirements of the respective funding agencies and the tender guidelines for thematic programmes and would like to thank the following funding agencies and public authorities for their cooperative collaboration and support.

• FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency
• EU – HORIZON 2020
• BMDW – Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs
• BMK - Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
• Office of the Styrian Government – Science and Research
• FMTI – Association of Metaltechnology Industries
• Austrian Economic Chambers - Styria
• Municipality of Leoben