Innovation Centre

Automotive Institute

The Hidria Automotive Institute develops state-of-the-art automotive technologies. Its experts focus on innovative development projects in ignition systems in cutting-edge diesel engines, the development of hybrid and electric drive systems, new systems for heating the air in cars, delivery vehicles and trucks (PTC intake air heaters), and electronic ignition of small petrol engines.

The Institute encompasses 10 laboratories:

  • laboratory for internal combustion engines,
  • laboratory for developing and testing ignition systems,
  • laboratory for developing electronics and electrical machines,
  • laboratory for sustainable running of electrical machines,
  • laboratories for standard testing,
  • metallographic laboratory,
  • chemical laboratory, and
  • a prototype workshop.

Hidria Galerija Dieseltec 04

The laboratory for internal combustion engines, which is equipped with cutting-edge equipment and an engine test cell with a cold chamber, the performance of internal combustion engines is tested at temperatures as low as -40°C. Under different operating regimes, we test the sustainable running of engines and perform dynamic measurements of their torque and power.

The Hidria Automotive Institute is also an important education centre in the areas of development, project management, working with state-of-the-art programme tools and the assurance of quality standards.

Construction of the Hidria Automotive Institute was co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Institute for Materials and Technologies

The Hidria Institute for Materials and Technologies develops innovative technological and product solutions in the automotive and air-conditioning industries. By looking for new environmentally-friendly materials and technologies that allow for the efficient use of alternative energy sources, development of solutions for hybrid and electrical vehicles and exploit the advantages brought by advanced nanotechnologies and nanomaterials, we ensure growth in Hidria’s competitive advantage and its status as a pre-development supplier in the global market.

The Hidria Materials and Technologies Institute’s development activity involves seven laboratories:

  • laboratory for geometric analyses,
  • laboratory for metrology,
  • laboratory for chemical analyses,
  • laboratory for mechanical and physical analyses,
  • laboratory for electric drives,
  • laboratory for heat processing, and
  • laboratory for the validation of Hidria's key products, especially in automotive industry programmes.

Advancetec Galerija 01

The Hidria Materials and Technologies Institute operates according to the “open innovation” principle. With the other two development institutes and external centres we are seeking synergies while planning development projects.

The Institute plays a considerable role in education within the context of Hidria’s Knowledge Academy. It excels with respect to the valuable competencies it possesses to ensure that innovations can quickly penetrate the market. The key here is “virtual development", which allows for product design to occur rapidly and efficiently, function simulations to be run and thus final product optimisation.

At the same time, it guarantees the optimal planning of technological processes without having to spend valuable time producing numerous interim versions of prototypes of the same product.

Development partnerships

Hidria is a reliable partner to companies and research and educational organisations participating in development and research projects and European tenders related to development perspectives within the framework of various European aid instruments.
We participate in numerous national development programs, INTERREG cross-border programs and the European programs EUREKA, Life and Horizon Europe.

Hidria is the founding partner of two development centres:

  • SiEVA, development centre of the Slovenian automotive industry, and
  • NELA, development centre of the Slovenian electrical industry.

It is also one of the leading partners of Mission GREMO (GREen Mobility, mission of green and digital transformation of the Slovenian automotive industry).

Research and Innovation Centre RIC

The Research and Innovation Centre RIC is intended to provide young experts with the very best conditions for their development and for designing breakthrough innovative green solutions in automotive and industrial technology. We are aware modern technical and technological development requires companies to be flexible, respond quickly and to network; here, the key is motivated expert and competent employees.

Its long-term development of programmes in the area of automotive and industrial technology means Hidria is constantly looking for highly qualified experts. Therefore, we enable our developers in mechanical engineering, metallurgy, physics, chemistry, IT and electrical engineering to also bring life to their innovative ideas in the capital of Slovenia.

Namely, the Research and Innovation Centre RIC is located in the Brdo Technology Park in Ljubljana. This attractive location for highly educated staff linked with the development of Hidria's sites at Spodnja Idrija, Tolmin, Koper, Kranj or Jesenice allows the Corporation’s development staff and other Hidria employees to research and look for and develop new ideas.

At the RIC we offer experts state-of-the-art development equipment for machine vision and electrical measurements. The Centre also enables us to link up with Hidria’s development hubs in Slovenia, Germany, Hungary and China, and to exchange important information with institutes and faculties of the universities of Ljubljana and Maribor, and other knowledge centres.

The Ljubljana-based faculties and institutes are a valuable source of young innovative developers to whom Hidria now also caters by providing an inspiring and stimulating work environment in the capital. In developing individual solutions, it also gives them room for the ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking that is needed to bring progress today.

With Hidria's expert and technological team, the RIC thus makes an important strategic move closer to the educational institutions where our scholarship holders also study. This further motivates them to work for the Corporation.

Hidria Skupinska