Infineon Austria plants 1650 trees to contribute to climate, noise and visual protection in the Villach region

Villach, 30 November 2022 - Infineon Austria has launched a reforestation initiative in cooperation with Arge NATURSCHUTZ and the Villach District Forestry Inspectorate. In the first step, 1,650 trees were planted north of the Tauern Highway in the area of the eastern portal of the Oswaldibergtunnel in recent days.

Oliver Heinrich, CFO of Infineon Austria: "As a leading company in the region, we not only produce energy-saving chips that make life more environmentally friendly and thus make a decisive contribution to the energy transition. It is important to us to additionally implement sustainable measures for climate protection that benefit the people in the region. With our voluntary reforestation initiative, we are creating green habitats for people and animals. We will continue this in 2023. "In the last two years, Infineon has implemented projects with Arge NATURSCHUTZ, among others, in which Infineon employees have also participated voluntarily. For example, nesting and roosting sites for birds and bats have been built and trees have already been planted.

Contribution to climate, noise and visual protection
Villach District Forestry Inspector Thomas Holzfeind is very pleased “to support Infineon's commitment with our expertise regarding the optimal choice of areas and tree species. In this way, we achieve a very high welfare function, i.e. purification of air and water, climate regulation as well as noise protection function through the planting." In addition, the existing recreational areas along the cycle path will be enhanced for visitors from the region.

Mix of tree species for more biodiversity along the Treffner Bach
For the afforestation, which is located along the Treffner Bach, 13 different tree species were selected on an area of 1.1 ha, which fulfill different functions. These include hardwoods (pedunculate oak, walnut, European service tree, sycamore maple, Norway maple, bird cherry, wild apple, black walnut, service tree, field maple, summer linden and sal willow) and fir as a conifer. To protect the crop, a fence was erected for the first time against browsing by deer and red deer.

A new habitat for a large variety of animals and insects is created
The woods were selected in such a way that, in addition to the intended climate protection function, optimum visual and noise protection is provided. The evergreen fir also fulfills a good noise protection function in winter, which will provide great added value due to the proximity to the highway. The ecologically valuable trees provide habitat for numerous animal or insect species. Flowering trees are a source of food for many animal species such as bees, birds or squirrels. Numerous beneficial insects such as various butterfly and beetle species will also be found there in the future. The different tree species also minimize the risk of pests.  

Infineon Technologies Austria AG is a group subsidiary of Infineon Technologies AG, a world-leading provider of semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon reduce the energy consumption of consumer electronics, domestic appliances and industrial facilities. They make a major contribution to the convenience, security and sustainability of vehicles, and enable secure transactions in the Internet of Things.

Infineon Austria pools competencies for research and development, production as well as global business responsibility. The head office is in Villach, with further branches in Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Vienna. With 4,820 employees from 73 countries (including 2,100 in research and development), in the financial year 2021 (ending in September) the company achieved a turnover of € 3.9 billion. With a research expenditure of 516 million euros, Infineon Austria is one of the strongest research companies in Austria.