EV Group Wins Austrian National Innovation Award for Third Time

ST. FLORIAN, Austria, November 6, 2026—EV Group (EVG), a leading provider of innovative process solutions and expertise serving leading-edge and future semiconductor designs and chip integration schemes, has been named Austria’s most innovative company with the receipt of the 2026 National Innovation Award. Elisabeth Zehetner, Austria’s State Secretary for Energy, Startups and Tourism, presented the award to EVG during a ceremony held in Vienna on November 4, 2026. EVG employs approximately 1,800 personnel worldwide, with nearly 1,400 employees at its headquarters in Austria.

EVG’s award-winning project, “IR LayerRelease™ Technology Revolutionizes Microchip Scaling,” focuses on the nanometer-precise release and transfer of ultra-thin silicon layers using infrared lasers, without subjecting sensitive structures to thermal stress. The technology enhances key semiconductor manufacturing processes and opens up new possibilities for 3D integration and chip stacking. As a result, it enables the production of more powerful and energy-efficient microchips for applications such as artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

Three-Time Winner: EVG Makes Innovation History

The National Innovation Award is organized by Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET). This year marks the 46th time that the award has been presented. In the history of the National Innovation Award, EVG is the first company ever to receive this prestigious distinction for a third time. The equipment manufacturer from Upper Austria had previously won the award in 2004 and 2017, and, with this latest achievement, is writing another chapter in Austria’s innovation history.

“We are very proud to have won the National Innovation Award for the third time. This recognition is a tremendous acknowledgment of the work that we do every day in technology and product development, and it validates our consistent focus on research and development. Our special thanks go to all employees whose innovative spirit and dedication have contributed to this success,” said Dr. Bernd Thallner, Optical and Systems Engineering Director at EV Group and project lead for EVG’s IR LayerRelease technology.

EVG Helps Shape the Future of the Semiconductor Industry 

Austria’s success in international competition is built on quality, innovation, and technological leadership, emphasized Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Austria’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs. “The strength of these capabilities is clearly demonstrated by EV Group and the other award-winning companies. They make ‘Made in Austria’ a promise of quality recognized around the world. Through our industrial strategy, we are further expanding these strengths and investing in key technologies such as semiconductor engineering. In doing so, we are laying the foundation for growth, jobs, and prosperity. I warmly congratulate all award-winning companies on their outstanding achievements.”

In her laudation, Austria’s State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner also highlighted EVG’s role as a driving force for innovation in the global semiconductor industry. “With its technology, this company from Upper Austria is helping shape the future of the microchip industry. As the Ministry for Economic Affairs, we are committed to creating the conditions that enable more companies to follow this path, from research to international market success. I would like to congratulate EV Group on winning the National Innovation Award 2026, as well as all other award-winning companies. Their inventive spirit and entrepreneurial courage strengthen Austria and help secure our prosperity for the future.”

Contacts:

Clemens Schütte
Director, Marketing and Communications
EV Group
Tel: +43 7712 5311 0
E-mail: Marketing@EVGroup.com

David Moreno
Principal
Open Sky Communications
Tel: +1.415.519.3915
E-mail: dmoreno@openskypr.com