Forschungsgesellschaft für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Thermodynamik mbH

What Forschungsgesellschaft für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Thermodynamik mbH does

Forschungsgesellschaft für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Thermodynamik mbH (FVT mbH) is a private Austrian research institution founded in 2002 and headquartered in Graz, operating in close structural partnership with Graz University of Technology (TU Graz). The company conducts applied research across four interlocking domains: vehicle emissions and powertrain development, tunnel ventilation and fire safety, urban air quality and dispersion modeling, and thermodynamic optimization of household refrigeration cycles. Its proprietary software portfolio includes VECTO (the EU-mandated CO2 certification tool for heavy-duty vehicles under Regulation 2017/2400), PHEM and PHEMlight (vehicle emission models underpinning HBEFA, the European standard emissions database), NEMO (network-wide transport emission modeling), and GRAMM/GRAL (urban air quality dispersion modeling, available partly as freeware).

FVT's physical infrastructure is anchored by an ISO 17025-accredited air quality measurement laboratory, light- and heavy-duty chassis dynamometers with climatic control, engine test beds, and PEMS (Portable Emissions Measurement Systems) supporting Real Driving Emissions (RDE) conformity testing. Revenue is generated through four streams: contract research and consulting funded by industry partners and public agencies (including FFG and the Austrian Federal Ministry), software licensing (PHEM, NEMO, PHEMlight as licensed executables), testing and measurement services for OEMs and regulators, and tailored training workshops (notably on VECTO/CO2 certification). The customer base spans vehicle manufacturers (Sherco, KTM/Husqvarna, Aston Martin), government infrastructure operators (ÖBB, ASFINAG), appliance OEMs (Liebherr, Nidec), and academic collaborators, with project-based engagement and no disclosed recurring SaaS pricing.

The company is governed by two Executive Directors — Univ.-Prof. DI Dr.-techn. Helmut Eichlseder and ao.Univ.-Prof. DI. Dr.-techn. Stefan Hausberger — both of whom hold TU Graz professorships, reinforcing the institutional integration with the university. FVT maintains an international footprint through tunnel safety projects executed across nearly every continent and co-organizes the biennial 'Tunnel Safety and Ventilation' conference in Graz, drawing 250–300 international participants.

Name

Forschungsgesellschaft für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Thermodynamik mbH

Legal name

Forschungsgesellschaft für Verbrennungskraftmaschinen und Thermodynamik mbH

Website

https://fvt.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FVT mbH is an Austrian private research institution, founded in 2002 in Graz in partnership with TU Graz, providing simulation software, testing services, and consulting in vehicle emissions, tunnel safety, and applied thermodynamics to vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure operators, and government agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Thermodynamics Research and Consulting

NAICS

Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAGAGAH

Test, Measurement & Calibration Equipment Manufacturing Services (ATE, DAQ, metrology electronics)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Electrical Equipment & Industrial Electronics/Industrial Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS/ODM for industrial electronics)

SECONDARYEUAHADAA

Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) & Stack Testing

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Emissions Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV)

Keywords

• Vehicle emissions simulation
• Powertrain development research
• Tunnel ventilation engineering
• Air quality modeling
• Applied thermodynamics research

Headquarters

HQ city

Graz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research and Development Consulting: FVT provides contract research and consulting services to industrial partners, government agencies, and academic institutions. Projects are typically funded through a combination of industry contracts, public research funding (e.g., FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency), and government grants.
2. Software Licensing: FVT licenses simulation software tools including PHEM, PHEMlight, and NEMO to industry clients. Software is distributed as executable code with license files. GRAL dispersion software is provided as freeware.
3. Testing and Measurement Services: FVT conducts emissions testing, chassis dynamometer measurements, and on-board measurement campaigns for vehicle manufacturers and regulatory bodies, including RDE (Real Driving Emissions) conformity testing.
4. Training and Workshops: FVT offers tailored training and workshops on VECTO and CO2 certification of heavy-duty vehicles, generating revenue from professional education services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FVT mbH conducts applied thermodynamics research and provides contract research, consulting, emissions testing, and proprietary simulation software for vehicle manufacturers, infrastructure operators, and appliance makers. Its offerings include simulation tools (VECTO, PHEM, PHEMlight, NEMO, GRAMM/GRAL) and physical test facilities (chassis dynamometers, PEMS, ISO 17025 accredited labs) used for emissions certification, powertrain development, tunnel safety, and air quality modeling.

Product overview

FVT mbH offers a portfolio of simulation software tools and specialized test equipment for vehicle emissions research and transportation analysis. The core simulation products include PHEM for detailed vehicle emissions simulation, PHEMlight for micro-scale traffic model integration, NEMO for network-wide emission calculations, and VECTO for heavy-duty vehicle CO2 certification under EU regulations. These are complemented by physical test capabilities including chassis dynamometers for light and heavy-duty vehicles, and portable on-board emission measurement systems. The GRAMM/GRAL dispersion modeling software addresses air quality modeling in urban environments. All products are developed in cooperation with Graz University of Technology and serve regulatory, research, and industrial applications throughout Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PHEM Detailed model for 1Hz simulation of single motor vehicles and vehicle fleets that calculates exhaust, brake, and tyre emissions for all vehicle categories and driving conditions; provides emission factors used in HBEFA. Licensed as executable code to industry clients.
• PHEMlight Micro-scale simulation model for fuel consumption and pollutant emissions of on-road vehicles, simplified from PHEM for linking with micro-scale traffic models such as VISSIM, Aimsun, and SUMO.
• NEMO (Network Emission Model) Comprehensive emission calculation solution for transport networks covering road, rail, and inland waterway transportation, combining fleet composition and emission factor simulation with spatial resolution.
• VECTO Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool that calculates energy/fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of heavy-duty vehicles; forms the basis of EU Regulation EU 2017/2400 and is used for CO2 certification of heavy-duty vehicles sold in the EU after 1 January 2019.
• GRAMM/GRAL Software High-resolution dispersion modeling system for urban air quality modeling, suitable for low-wind speed conditions and complex terrain, with micro-scale flow-field modeling accounting for building effects on pollutant dispersion.
• Chassis Dynamometer for Light Duty Vehicles Test facility with 200kW braking power, max speed 200 km/h, vehicle mass up to 3,500 kg, and adjustable temperature from -30°C to +40°C for testing passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
• Chassis Dynamometer for Heavy Duty Vehicles Twin roller chassis dynamometer with max axle load 12 t, max traction force 22 kN, max braking power 300 kW, max speed 120 km/h, simulating vehicle mass 3.5 t to 40 t.
• On-Board Measurement Systems (PEMS) Portable Emissions Measurement Systems including AVL M.O.V.E. PEMS, IAG OFS mobile FTIR, and DownToTen PN Measurement System; certified per ISO 17025 for in-service conformity testing of cars, LCVs, heavy-duty vehicles, and non-road mobile machinery.
• Contract Research and Consulting Services Applied research and consulting services covering engine development, powertrain electrification, vehicle emissions, tunnel safety engineering, air quality modeling, and thermodynamic cycle optimization, delivered to industrial, government, and academic clients on a project basis.
• VECTO and CO2 Certification Training Workshops Tailor-made training workshops on VECTO and CO2 certification of heavy-duty vehicles, offered as professional education services to industry clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• VECTO is used for CO2 certification of most heavy-duty vehicles sold in the EU after 1 January 2019
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and notable.

• Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002FVT was founded in close cooperation with Graz University of Technology in 2002. The partnership involves joint research in the interconnected system of energy, engine, traffic, and environment, supporting teaching, and conducting internationally recognized research. Many test facilities and software tools are operated jointly, and staff are shared between the institutions.
• ITnA (Institute for Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems), TU GrazcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITnA works with FVT on tunnel ventilation, fire safety, air quality modeling, and other thermodynamics research. The institute and FVT jointly operate the biennial 'Tunnel Safety and Ventilation' conference and collaborate on major tunnel projects such as the Koralm Railway Tunnel.
• ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÖBB commissioned FVT for ventilation planning and cooling system design for the Koralm Railway Tunnel (33 km), including fire safety considerations. Project duration from 2015 ongoing.
• ASFINAGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASFINAG supported the BRAFA project studying fire risks of battery electric vehicles in road tunnels, providing access to tunnel infrastructure for experimental testing.
• Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (Austria)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Austrian federal ministry supported the BRAFA (Fire Effects of Vehicles with Alternative Powertrains) project investigating battery electric vehicle fire behavior in road tunnels.
• Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbHnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiebherr-Hausgeräte was the project lead for the ECO-SIMULATION project (2018-2020), focused on developing energy-efficient refrigeration cycle systems through novel simulation methodology, with FVT/TU Graz as research partners.
• Nidec Global Appliances Austria / IVTnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerNidec Global Appliances Austria (formerly IVT) collaborated on the EVALD project (2017-2019) developing force-assisted compressor valves for hermetic reciprocating compressors, with FFG funding.
• HyCentA Research GmbHnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerHyCentA collaborated with FVT on investigating damage mechanisms in fuel cells caused by air pollutants (especially nitrogen monoxide), combining FVT's hydrogen and testing expertise with HyCentA's fuel cell specialization.
• LEC (Linhart Engineering Competence)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEC collaborated with FVT on advanced bearing technology for large engines, developing thin-film sensors for online measurement of temperature and oil pressure in sliding bearings, and on ignition and combustion process research using RCEM.
• Montanuniversität LeobennotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerMontanuniversität Leoben participated in the BRAFA project studying fire behavior of battery electric vehicles in tunnels, contributing geological and materials expertise.
• ILF Consulting Engineers AustrianotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerILF Consulting Engineers Austria supported the BRAFA project with engineering consultancy expertise in tunnel safety analysis and fire simulation.
• Bundesfeuerwehrverband (Austrian Fire Brigade Association)notableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Austrian Fire Brigade Association participated in the BRAFA project to provide operational firefighting expertise and perspective on battery electric vehicle fires in tunnels.
• Hans Leeb GmbHnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerHans Leeb GmbH collaborated with FVT on developing 2T-LPDI (low pressure direct injection) technology for 50 cm³ scooters and subsequently for Husqvarna motorcycles.
• SherconotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerSherco worked with FVT on applying 2T-LPDI technology to Sherco 250/300 SE-R 2-stroke enduro motorcycles, which became the first direct-injected 2-stroke enduro motorcycle in the world.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IAV GmbH: Automotive engineering services provider with chassis dynamometer facilities, PEMS testing, calibration, and simulation work that compete directly with FVT's emissions and powertrain service portfolio.
• UTAC: Independent testing and certification group running chassis dynamometers, PEMS campaigns, and homologation services for European OEMs, directly comparable to FVT's emissions testing capabilities.
• Ricardo plc: Strategic engineering and consulting firm with automotive emissions testing, powertrain development, and certification services overlapping FVT's ICE and propulsion research offerings.
• PTV Group: Mobility and transport modeling software vendor whose VISSIM and Visum platforms integrate with FVT's PHEM/PHEMlight emission models; a complementary technology peer in the same micro-scale traffic and emissions simulation ecosystem.
• FEV Group: Global powertrain and vehicle engineering consultancy providing engine calibration, chassis dynamometer testing, PEMS campaigns, and emissions simulation services comparable to FVT's HDV and LDV emissions work.
• AVL List GmbH: Austria-headquartered powertrain and vehicle engineering firm offering emissions measurement, simulation, chassis dynamometer testing, and homologation services that directly overlap FVT's light- and heavy-duty emissions and powertrain practice.
• HBI Haerter AG: Swiss specialist consultancy focused on tunnel ventilation, fire safety, and aerodynamic engineering for road and rail tunnels, directly comparable to FVT's V&U tunnel safety and ventilation practice.
• Horiba: Manufacturer of automotive emissions measurement instruments (OBS-ONE PEMS, Mexa exhaust analyzers) and operator of vehicle testing labs, making it a core competitor in the same emissions measurement value chain FVT serves.

Emerging players

• Emissions Analytics: UK-based independent specialist in real-world vehicle emissions testing, PEMS data, and consumer-facing emissions ratings, addressing an adjacent but overlapping niche of FVT's on-board emissions measurement work.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV SÜD Auto Service GmbH: Large certification and testing incumbent offering vehicle homologation, RDE, and emissions testing services that overlap with FVT's accredited testing work, but as part of a much broader portfolio across multiple industries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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