Research Center for Non Destructive Testing GmbH

The Research Center for Non Destructive Testing GmbH (RECENDT) is an internationally recognized Austrian research center for material characterization and non-destructive materials testing. Based in Linz, Upper Austria, it operates as a non-university research company and is a participation company of Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR), the lead research company of the province of Upper Austria, and a member of the UAR Innovation Network. Its shareholders are UAR with 80% and Johannes Kepler University Linz with 20%. RECENDT provides a range of services covering the entire R&D process chain, from application-oriented fundamental research to the development of state-of-the-art technology for industrial applications. It implements customized, high-tech solutions in material characterization and non-destructive materials testing. The interdisciplinary team consists of physicists, chemists, mechatronics engineers and development engineers, working with state-of-the-art equipment to support clients across various branches. The center's research and development focuses on opto-acoustic measurement methods for material characterization, non-destructive testing and process analytics. Its technology portfolio includes infrared spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), laser ultrasonics and photoacoustic imaging. These methods are applied in industrial process monitoring, quality control, and the testing of metals, composites, plastics, coatings and food, among other materials. RECENDT is a partner in several national and international research projects, including projects funded under the Austrian government's COMET program, such as the K-projects Process Analytical Chemistry (PAC) and Non-Destructive Testing and Tomography (ZPT), as well as EU projects such as ENCOMB (Extended Non-Destructive Testing of Composite Bonds) and InsideFood for the non-destructive testing of food. In 2009, RECENDT was the only non-university institute to be awarded a Christian Doppler Laboratory, for photoacoustics and laser ultrasonics. In 2013 it initiated OCT4NDT, the first international symposium on OCT in non-destructive testing. RECENDT's activities are positioned within the strength fields of the Upper Austrian research landscape: mechatronics/process automation, innovative materials/lightweight construction, and life science. The company offers industrial applications, research services, and access to its laboratories and expertise through a variety of services and products.

The Research Center for Non Destructive Testing GmbH (RECENDT) was founded in 2001 as the Department for Non-Contact Sensor Technology (Abteilung Berührungslose Sensorik) of Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR), the lead research company of the province of Upper Austria. As part of a restructuring process through 2009 that focused UAR on its core competencies, the research department was spun off and became independent as RECENDT GmbH in 2008. Since its establishment as a separate company, RECENDT has been owned by Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR) with 80% and Johannes Kepler University Linz with 20%. It is a member of the UAR Innovation Network. In 2009, RECENDT was awarded a Christian Doppler Laboratory for photoacoustics and laser ultrasonics, making it the only non-university institute to receive such an award that year. This recognition underlined its role in bridging fundamental research and applied industrial development. In 2013, RECENDT initiated OCT4NDT, the first international symposium on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in non-destructive testing, reflecting its pioneering work in applying OCT to industrial inspection. Over the years, RECENDT has participated in numerous national and international research projects. These include projects funded under the Austrian government's COMET program, such as the K-projects Process Analytical Chemistry (PAC) and Non-Destructive Testing and Tomography (ZPT), as well as EU projects like ENCOMB (Extended Non-Destructive Testing of Composite Bonds) and InsideFood for the non-destructive testing of food. The center's activities are positioned within the strength fields of the Upper Austrian research landscape: mechatronics/process automation, innovative materials/lightweight construction, and life science. As of 2026, RECENDT continues to conduct research and offer services, including participation in the binational project LUCA (Laser Ultrasonics for Cybersecurity Analysis) with French research groups.

• 2026

  Participating in the binational project LUCA (Laser Ultrasonics for Cybersecurity Analysis) with three leading French research groups.

• 2013

  Initiated OCT4NDT, the first international symposium on OCT in non-destructive testing.

• 2009

  Awarded a Christian Doppler Laboratory for photoacoustics and laser ultrasonics, the only non-university institute to receive one that year.

• 2008

  Spun off and became independent as RECENDT GmbH.

• 2001

  Founded as the Department for Non-Contact Sensor Technology (Abteilung Berührungslose Sensorik) of Upper Austrian Research GmbH (UAR).

Internationally recognized non-university research center for material characterization and non-destructive testing, bridging fundamental research and industrial application.

• Infrared Spectroscopy

  Detection of changes in the infrared spectrum provides detailed information about functional groups; used for quantitative and qualitative analysis of solids, liquids and gases, process monitoring and quality control.

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

  Contact-free and non-destructive cross-sectional imaging using infrared light; suitable for plastics, injection-molded parts, glass fiber composites, multilayer film thickness measurement and foam pore determination.

• Laser Ultrasonics

  Non-contact generation and detection of ultrasound using lasers; suitable for testing metals and composites (e.g. CFRP), weld seams, wall thickness of plastics and quality control in aircraft construction.

• Photoacoustic Imaging

  Short laser pulses generate broadband ultrasound signals via the photoacoustic effect; detected at multiple positions to create images.

1. 1Home - RECENDT | Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing GmbHrecendt.at
2. 2Research Center for Non Destructive Testing - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Research Center for Non Destructive Testing - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org