Münzer Bioindustrie awarded silver WKÖ Export Prize 2025

Münzer Bioindustrie GmbH has been awarded the prestigious Export Prize 2025 in silver in the "Transport & Traffic" category. Managing Director Ewald-Marco Münzer personally accepted the award from Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer and WKÖ President Harald Mahrer.

Every year, the Export Prize of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) honors domestic companies that demonstrate exceptional international commitment, sustainable value creation and innovative strength. Evaluation criteria include export quota, market diversity, export strategy, sustainability and social responsibility.

With an export share of over 50% of total sales, strong export activities to a large number of EU countries and pioneering projects in Asia and Africa, Münzer has been one of the pioneers of the domestic sustainability industry for years.
 

From a chance hit to an international success story

The internationalization came as quite a surprise to Münzer: "Ten years ago, the Indian oil minister was visiting Vienna for an OPEC meeting and was keen to visit a biodiesel plant. Fortunately, we were chosen," says Ewald-Marco Münzer, describing the start of the international involvement. "We recognized the opportunity and seized it."

There was a great deal of interest in taking over the know-how that had been built up in Austria over decades, taking local conditions into account. As a result, a functioning collection system for used cooking oil was gradually established in India and a modern biodiesel production plant was commissioned in Navi Mumbai in 2019.

"In many countries, used cooking oil is still being reused - with considerable health risks," emphasizes Münzer. "By removing used cooking oil from the food cycle and processing it into clean biodiesel, we are making a double contribution: to public health and to climate protection."

The successful implementation of the Indian project also attracted the attention of other markets: Bangladesh and Kenya showed great interest in cooperation - Münzer is now also active there with its own subsidiaries.

Strong presence in Europe

In addition to its international activities outside Europe, Münzer also has a broad presence within the EU: The company is present in Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, among others, through subsidiaries and shareholdings. The sustainable biodiesel is mainly exported to Germany, Italy and Slovenia - with growing potential in other EU markets.