About Us
Laimburg Research Centre is South Tyrol’s leading research institution for agriculture, horticulture and food processing.
Our vision
As an application-oriented research institution with local relevance and international recognition, we are the point of reference for South Tyrol’s agriculture, horticulture and food processing.
We deliver sustainable and effective solutions to the region through demonstration, knowledge transfer and experimental farms.
In doing so, we contribute to making South Tyrol one of the most innovative agricultural regions in Europe.
What do we do?
We create new know-how, develop solutions and promote innovations along the entire food value chain, from cultivation to the finished product. To achieve this, we conduct applied research in the field and laboratory and offer a wide range of scientific services.
Who do we work for?
We work for South Tyrolean farmers, stakeholders in horticulture and food processing as well as for the benefit of the entire population of South Tyrol.
How do we work?
We stand for excellent research using state-of-the-art methods, combined with interdisciplinary collaboration and international networking.
What sets us apart?
Our researchers work in an application-oriented and down-to-earth manner, in close exchange with practitioners. Our well-equipped laboratories and experimental fields across South Tyrol’s different climate zones enable us to test the latest findings, right through to scale-up, and transfer them into practice.
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.
Our contribution to agriculture in mountain regions
In mountain regions, the research carried out at the Laimburg Research Centre helps support and enhance the different altitudinal zones and crops that shape South Tyrol’s agricultural landscape. In doing so, we make a tangible contribution to strengthening local farming businesses.
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.
Our Values
APPLICATION-ORIENTED
Rooted in the region and internationally connected.
PIONEERING
With openness and foresight towards lasting added value.
SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY
Independent, reliable and committed to the highest quality standards.
RESPONSIBLE
With respect for agriculture, the environment and society.
Research Focus Programme 2021 - 2030
The research activities until 2030 are grouped into five major thematic areas.
These key topics address some of the main challenges that South Tyrolean agriculture and food processing will face in the coming years, including climate change, water scarcity, diversification and digitalisation.
Programme of Activities with all 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
![[External link] All contacts](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/4a5d0318-a4cc-4245-9939-4e53ca83d15d/ThomasLetschka%202_ivo%20corra%E2%95%A0%C3%87%20%E2%94%AC%C2%AE%202022ICF_3262web.jpg?w=562&h=300&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)
Thomas Letschka
Head of Institute for Agricultural Chemistry and Food Quality
![[External link] All contacts](https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/9b4df8e2-acc0-0145-4bdd-558666d926a2/4bf4fdab-f05c-487b-a237-a73573c032f9/WalterGuerra%202_ivo%20corra%E2%95%A0%C3%87%20%E2%94%AC%C2%AE%202022ICF_3106web.jpg?w=562&h=300&fit=crop&fm=webp&lossless=0&q=75)