Freshfields has appointed Konrad Groeller as its new Regional Managing Partner for Continental Europe.

The Austrian federal government plans to build up 1 GW of electrolysis capacity for the production of renewable hydrogen by 2030. Renewable hydrogen is to be produced in Austria and made available to industrial customers. The necessary support framework is provided by the EAG Investment Grants Regulation for Hydrogen, which promotes investments in electrolysis plants. In addition, the Hydrogen Regulation (WstVO) sets out requirements for compliance with the sustainability criteria and criteria for greenhouse gas savings for renewable hydrogen (RFNBO criteria) enshrined in Union law. Both draft regulations are currently under review.

Freshfields has advised Continental on the spin-off of its automotive and contract manufacturing business units into Aumovio SE and the listing of all Aumovio SE shares.

CMS has advised Austria-based Crownd Estate Group on the completion of an out-of-court restructuring following 18 months of negotiations with 25 Austrian financial institutions.

Wolf Theiss has advised Volksbank Wien on the issuance of EUR 500 million 3.625% fixed-to-floating callable green preferred senior notes due September 9, 2031. Schoenherr advised the banks involved.

CMS has advised TowerBrook Capital Partners on the sale of AustroCel Hallein to Tokyo-based Oji Holdings Corporation. 

Gernot Fritz has joined E+H as Partner in its IP/IT + Competition Law practice group, alongside Attorney at Law Tanja Pfleger.

Fellner Wratzfeld & Partner, working alongside Noerr, has advised the Bavarian Chamber for Social Benefits and Pensions on the refinancing undertaken in connection with the sale of Kaufhaus Tyrol to a JC Luxemburg Holding SCSp subsidiary.

Freshfields, Oppenheim, and BDK Advokati have advised Continental and its ContiTech division on the sale of the Original Equipment Solutions business unit to US private holding company Regent. Taylor Wessing, Karanovic & Partners, Gen Temizer, and Stratulat Albulescu advised Regent. DR & AJU, Foley & Lardner, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, Felsberg Advogados, Cascione Advogados, and ECIJA reportedly advised Regent as well.

E+H has promoted Felix Frommelt and William Redl to Partner.

Freshfields has advised the shareholders of the Bartec group on the sale and transfer of all shares in Bartec Top Holding to funds advised by One Equity Partners. 

Schoenherr has advised Vienna-based climate technology start-up EcoNetix on a seed extension financing round that brings the company’s total seed funding to EUR 4.5 million.

Taylor Wessing has advised Wefox on its acquisition of VMK Versicherungsmakler in Austria from LL Immobilien und Beteiligungs. Sole practitioner Peter Sommerer reportedly advised the sellers.

BPV Huegel has advised NOM on its partnership with Vorarlberg Milch.

Cerha Hempel has advised FlatexDEGIRO on the launch of its crypto business in Austria.

Schima Mayer Starlinger law firm has changed its name to Starlinger Mayer and will continue to operate under the brand sms.law, following the departure of Partner Georg Schima, who left to set up Conclusio Schima Lawyers in July.

Schoenherr has advised Indie Semiconductor on its acquisition of Emotion3D. DKFE, and reportedly Petsch Frosch Klein Arturo, advised the sellers.

Herbst Kinsky has advised Flex Capital on its acquisition of SOP Hilmbauer & Mauberger. Sole practitioner Ernst Dejaco reportedly advised the selling shareholders Johann Hilmbauer and Gerald Mauberger.