Kurt Satzinger is the new Head of R&D at voestalpine

25 April 2024 |

Kurt Satzinger succeeds Franz Androsch, voestalpine’s long-standing Head of R&D, who is retiring. voestalpine is one of the most research-intensive companies in Austria, counting around 800 R&D employees in over 70 companies and more than 100 scientific partners worldwide. The focus of research activities is increasingly on digital and resource-saving products and processes. The Group has allocated a record research budget of EUR 231 million for the current business year 2024/25.

Research and development have a high priority at voestalpine. Thanks to its intensive R&D activities, the Group has been able to establish itself as one of the leading technology suppliers for the automotive, railway infrastructure, aerospace, energy, toolmaking, and consumer goods industries.

I am convinced that Kurt Satzinger, with his profound knowledge and many years of experience at voestalpine, will continue to drive our innovation activities forward and therefore secure our position as a global player in demanding product segments in the future.

Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of voestalpine AG

Kurt Satzinger began his career at voestalpine in 2006, while studying Materials Science at the Montanuniversität Leoben, in the research department of the voestalpine Steel Division, and completed his doctorate at the Technical University of Munich in 2011. He held various positions within the Group in the following years. Before Satzinger took over as Head of R&D and Innovation in April, he was program manager for major strategic projects in Linz, which included responsibility for the key greentec steel project.

Franz Androsch was Head of R&D at the voestalpine Group from 2014 to March 2024. The US-born chemist has received several awards for his work managing research. Most recently, in 2023, he received the “Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria” from the Federal Minister of Labour and Economy for his extraordinary economic achievements and services to voestalpine and Austria as a research location.

The voestalpine Group

voestalpine is a globally leading steel and technology group with a unique combination of materials and processing expertise. voestalpine, which operates globally, has around 500 Group companies and locations in more than 50 countries on all five continents. It has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995. With its premium products and system solutions, voestalpine is a leading partner to the automotive and consumer goods industries, as well as to the aerospace and oil & natural gas industries. The company is also the global market leader in railway systems, tool steel, and special sections. voestalpine is committed to the global climate goals and has a clear plan for decarbonizing steel production with its greentec steel program. In the business year 2022/23, the Group generated revenue of EUR 18.2 billion, with an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 2.5 billion; it has around 51,200 employees worldwide.