UNTHA innovation centre advances research for shredding technology
The Technology Innovation Center in Austria will focus on research, product digitalization, and prototype development
UNTHA shredders and the success of the company are the result of intensive research and development. To allow for even more development, UNTHA shredding technology GmbH has opened the UNTHA Technology Innovation Center in Kuchl near Salzburg in Austria. The company's research department, product digitalization, prototype development, and assembly will all be based in the new innovation centre where there is ample space for internal collaboration between departments.
The Technology Innovation Center (TIC) is located close to UNTHA headquarters, the production and assembly sites, and UNTHA e-technology. In addition to its own assembly hall for prototype construction, the new location also houses CAD workstations, a laboratory, a modular meeting room, and space for constructive exchange. The TIC also drives the development of AI-supported apps and UNTHA's smart services, such as the MyUNTHA platform and the UNTHA GENIUS predictive maintenance system.
Further development and prototyping
UNTHA shredders are developed for a wide range of applications and are often adapted to specific needs. The portfolio also includes smaller machines such as the new generation of RS series models as well as the heavy-duty XR and ZR shredders weighing 40 tons. When developing new technologies, three variables are taken into consideration: mechanics, electronics, and digitalization.
Employees at the TIC have extensive knowledge and years of experience to develop UNTHA shredders. They collaboratively work on ideas for new shredding solutions, build and assemble prototypes, put them into operation, and carry out practical tests. These take place under real conditions with existing UNTHA clients. These test runs are monitored by the development team and technicians. Process data is collected and evaluated using sensitive measurement technology and the UNTHA GENIUS assistance system. This method allows potential improvements to be identified and implemented as early as the prototype phase.
Open innovation space
The Open Innovation Space (OIS) is a large, modular room for workshops, meetings, and informal gatherings and discussions. It is where UNTHA's history meets the present and the future. For example, the OIS displays cutting units that were part of the first UNTHA shredders. At the same time, a large panoramic window provides a view of the assembly area where prototypes are being worked on. This view allows visitors and the team to always keep an eye on what UNTHA is all about: innovative shredding solutions that meet current and future requirements — both those of clients and markets.
"Our goal is to continue to have the best shredders on the market. To prepare our machines for future market and customer requirements, we are pursuing an open innovation approach at TIC. We don't want to develop our products behind closed doors and only find out after the market launch whether they meet our customers' requirements. Instead, we want to be transparent during the development process and incorporate various perspectives and opinions — from different departments, external partners, and our customers. After all, they are the ones who use our shredders every day and can contribute intuitively to their further development through their experience," says Stefan Scheiflinger-Ehrenwerth, chief innovation officer at UNTHA shredding technology GmbH.
In the TIC, shredders are being developed with future developments in mind. "We observe very closely which materials are entering markets and industries and which are approaching the end of their life cycle. From this, we can deduce which application areas will require suitable shredding solutions in the coming years. Our goal is to have the right machines ready," says Christian Lanner, head of research and prototyping at UNTHA and director of the TIC.
