About Us
Our Mission
Laimburg Research Centre, founded in 1975, is the point of reference for scientific research applied to agriculture and agrifood processing in South Tyrol.
For the last fifty years, we have been creating know-how and developing innovations along the whole food production chain, from cultivation to the finished product.
Our Approach
We use field and laboratory tests to develop sustainable land management methods, which make it possible to safeguard natural resources such as water, soil and biodiversity and with the climate as a priority. With our scientific research we aim to support local farms and businesses to produce quality foods with guaranteed origin.
To make the most of high-quality regional mountain products, we support diversification and contribute to the development of a regional circular economy.
We work in a scientific, practice-orientated manner, objectively and independently, placing our knowledge and information at the service of agriculture and responsible food processing.
We have cultivated contacts and collaborations at both local and international levels, and we annually define our Programme of Activities in collaboration with institutions representing agriculture and the food industry in South Tyrol.
Our Aims
As a Research Centre, we mainly deal in applied research. It is our aim to offer rapid but above all sustainable solutions to current problems, improving production techniques from an ecological and economic viewpoint and contributing to expanding knowledge within agricultural and food technology sectors.
We promote the development of resilient cultivation strategies through in-depth knowledge of biological relationships, as well as the selection and experimentation of hardy varieties and rootstock, targeted and careful use of plant protection products, and use of innovative digital technologies.
Our work in the food sector aims to optimise food processing through the development of processed food prototypes, food safety and quality, and food chemistry, as well as proof of origin for products.
Areas of Expertise
Laimburg Research Centre specialises in the characteristic sectors within South Tyrol: fruit growing and viticulture, cultivation of vegetables, berries, and stone fruits, arable crops and aromatic plants, but also fodder cultivation, ornamental horticulture, and landscaping.
Our experimentation and research activities also cover integrated plant protection methods, the study and evaluation of plant protection products, and the biological pest control.
The “Test-before-invest” Philosophy
We place a good deal of importance on promoting innovation in the agricultural sector and we also embrace a “test-before-invest” philosophy. This approach translates into the practice of experimenting and evaluating technologies before they are used on a wider scale, which allows us to guarantee safer, more strategic investments.
LIDO – Laimburg Integrated Orchard
LIDO – Laimburg Integrated Digital Orchard is our highly digitalised open-air laboratory. At LIDO, businesses, start-ups and research institutes can test and conduct demonstrations of their technology innovations within a smart agriculture environment.
Contributing to Local Mountain Agriculture
In the mountain zones of South Tyrol, research by Laimburg Research Centre contributes to supporting and promoting local crop varieties. In this way, we make a solid contribution to the development of farms in the area.
The NURBS (Nuts & Herbs) Research Programme
Together with the Edmund Mach Foundation in San Michele all’Adige, we are part of the NURBS research programme, which promotes research projects on aromatic plants and nuts, especially walnuts, hazelnuts, and chestnuts.
Food Technology and Sensory Science
Laimburg Research Centre also works in food technology and sensory science, supporting the food sector with scientific research. Projects are carried out in close collaboration with primary production and local businesses dealing in the production and processing of food and beverages.
Laboratory Testing for Third Parties and Commissioned Research
We perform reliable testing in our specialist laboratories, both as a service for third parties and also to support our own research projects.
We also perform commissioned research, working directly with businesses and offering standardised service packages of different sizes, ranging from scientific consulting to more complex projects.
Programme of Activities and Research Projects
Our Programme of Activities is developed and defined annually, working with representatives from agriculture and local agrifood processing. In this way we are able to ensure that our experiments and research are always aimed at the concrete needs of the agricultural practice.
Every year our more than two hundred collaborators work on some 440 research projects, both in our Vadena laboratories and at the NOI Techpark (Bolzano/Bozen), as well as in the test fields of the provincial State Property office, with which we have a long-standing collaboration.
Organisation and Management
![[External link] All contacts](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/784c8a23-044e-40c1-9294-1d4d7aeab52f/thumbnail_AngeloZanella%202_ivo%20corra%E2%95%A0%C3%87%20%E2%94%AC%C2%AE%202022ICF_2408web.jpg?w=562&h=300&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Angelo Zanella
Head of Institute for Mountain Agriculture and Food Technology
![[External link] All contacts](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/45730010-b4e0-4672-8426-803ea48eef3f/Sabine%20Oetll%202_ivo%20corr%C3%A0%20%C2%A9%202022_ICF8445.jpg?w=562&h=300&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Sabine Öttl
Head of Institute for Plant Health
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Thomas Letschka
Head of Institute for Agricultural Chemistry and Food Quality
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