Employees at AustroCel Hallein

Anna
Laboratory Technician

“I was first fascinated by the world of chemistry in junior high school. It is simply made up of elementary building blocks. Yet we learn something new every day. For me, the opportunity to take up an apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory technician at the Hallein site proved to be a stroke of luck.

Today, here at AustroCel, I’m not only responsible for the daily monitoring of the wastewater quality as well as the process chemicals used I’m also involved in the research and development of our processes and products. Through our analyses, we ensure our products meet the highest standards, and guarantee both sustainability and the protection of our environment. The subject of teaching never really left me, even after my apprenticeship. As an apprentice instructor for the chemical laboratory technician and chemical process technician apprenticeships, I now provide our new apprentices with advice and support. For me, teaching means combining theory and practice. It also strengthens both individual responsibility and the ability to work in a team. You gradually become self-sufficient.”

Roland
Electrical Engineer

“I began my career at AustroCel in 2002. What brought me to the electrical engineering apprenticeship was my playful interest in electronics, and what brought me to the company was its reputation as a good training business with a forward-looking perspective at the personal and business levels.

In addition to the technical support of various measurement and control systems as well as the programming of the process control system, I am now responsible for coordinating the organizational processes – high personal responsibility, but team leadership included. Target-oriented work, the coordination of several projects running at the same time as well as the continuous further development of personal IT skills are essential. After 20 years in the company as well as several years in the team at the company fire department, there is only one conclusion for me: AustroCel is innovative, at the cutting edge, but a family at the same time.”

Daniel
Digester Operator

Through my apprenticeship as a paper technician and then as a chemical technician at AustroCel Hallein, I learned a lot about chemical and process engineering.

“Through my apprenticeship as a paper technician and then as a chemical process technician at AustroCel Hallein, I learned a lot about chemical and process engineering processes.

My basic interest in chemistry and physics was already there in secondary school, so the apprenticeship here at the pulp mill near my home was the logical next step. I have now been working at the digester as a digester operator for some time, and can put into practice what I have learned. At the digester the work changes daily, which means you work on site in the facility one day, while the next day you manage the entire facility in the control room.

This kind of varied and interesting work is what I enjoy every day. Looking to the future is of considerable interest for me, as new projects are constantly being planned and implemented in the areas of increasing production, improving quality and making optimum use of the by-products.

I have now been working in shifts for 11 years, sometimes on the weekends as well, but this also means I have a lot of free time for my hobbies, such as climbing and hiking.”

Rainer
Public Authority Manager

With over 25 years’ experience in project management and facility planning, including more than 16 years at AustroCel, I became responsible for the public authority management in 2019. The interesting part is supporting larger projects, from the initial project definition phase in the preliminary project with the submission documents to the authorities, to the notification of completion after the commissioning.

Here, it is important to keep a reasonable sense of proportion in terms of the legally compliant implementation of a project from an economic point of view. The many contacts and the cooperation I have with experts and engineering offices for expert opinions, and the technical acceptance of machines and equipment mean I am continuously up to date on the latest technology. I am also the deputy environmental officer and am always happy to actively contribute to shaping sustainability and protecting our environment.

To remain the technological leader in the production of high-quality viscose pulps as well as in other technical applications in the future, ongoing training and further education is indispensable and fits perfectly with my motto: “I learn something new every day, my life continues, and is always exciting and interesting”.