Economy Of Leoben
With a population of around 25,000, Leoben is the second largest town in Styria. Located at the confluence of the Mur and Vordernberg rivers, in the Mur valley. Since the Middle Ages, the town has a long mining and metallurgical history. Originally a major center of iron production during the Industrial Revolution, Leoben later grew to become a hub of steel and aluminum manufacturing. Leoben is still a major industrial town today, home to several large companies, including Voestalpine, AT&S and Mayr-Melnhof. Featuring a range of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, Leoben is also a regional center of commerce and business.
Mining and Metallurgy
Traditionally, the main foundations of Leoben’s economy, mining and metallurgy, are still very important today. Leoben is located in the Styrian Erzberg, a mountain range laden with iron ore and other minerals. In operation since the 12th century, the Erzberg mine, located near the town of Eisenerz, is the largest open-cast mine in Central Europe. Around two million tonnes of iron ore are produced annually by the mine, which is transported by rail to Leoben and other surrounding towns for processing. Mainly used for the manufacture of steel, iron ore also finds applications in the manufacture of cement, fertilizers and paints. Popular with visitors too, the Erzberg Mine offers guided tours and a museum.
Several metalworking companies, creating steel, aluminum and other metal products, also call Leoben home. A world leader in steel and technology, Voestalpine is the largest and best known of these. Voestalpine employs more than 4,000 people and has numerous factories in Leoben. The company manufactures premium steel products for a range of industries including construction, automotive, aerospace and energy. In addition to research and development, Voestalpine also works in collaboration with the University of Leoben. Another important metallurgical company in Leoben is AT&S, which manufactures circuit boards and connection solutions for electronics. With more than 1,500 employees, AT&S has one of its main factories in Leoben and its headquarters here. The company provides services to customers in the fields of communications technology, automotive, industrial and medical.
Education and Research
Leoben is also a hub of knowledge and research, particularly in the fields of engineering and natural sciences. Founded in 1840, the University of Leoben is among the largest universities of its type in Europe and the oldest and largest in Austria. With more than 4,000 students and 800 employees, the institution awards bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in several fields, including mining, metallurgy, materials science, geology, petroleum engineering and environmental engineering. The high quality of the institution’s teaching and research is well known and it maintains numerous alliances with academics and businesses. Also located on a site near Kapfenberg, the institution offers management and industrial engineering courses.
Many institutes and research centers housed in Leoben also carry out applied and fundamental research in various fields. These include the Leoben Materials Center, the Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science, the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Advanced Iron Metallurgy and the Austrian Foundry Research Institute. These institutes and centers work in collaboration with the University of Leoben as well as national and international industrial and academic partners.
Tourism and Culture
Leoben is a tourist and cultural center in addition to an industrial and educational center. Leoben reflects in its architecture, museums and celebrations a rich and varied cultural heritage. With numerous buildings from the Baroque and Biedermeier eras, the city has a well-preserved historic core. Notable sights include the town hall, main square, parish church, art museum and Hackl House. Among the various museums in Leoben are the Mining Museum, the Leoben Town Museum, the Leoben Museum Center and the Gösser Brewery Museum. Leoben offers the Leoben Music Festival, the Leoben Jazz Days, the Leoben Film Festival and the Leoben Christmas Market among many cultural events throughout the year.
Leoben features a range of outdoor activities and attractions, so it is also a popular location for sportsmen and environmentalists. Beautiful mountains and forests surround Leoben, perfect for climbing, cycling, hiking and skiing. Leoben is also close to Admont Abbey, the Styrian Castle Route, the Red Bull Ring and the Gesäuse National Park, among other natural and cultural gems. Asia Spa Leoben, Leoben’s contemporary and well-equipped sports and leisure complex offers swimming pools, saunas, massage, fitness and wellness services, among other services.
