TERRA Umwelttechnik GmbH was founded in 2004 as an independent company by former employees of OMV Proterra, an enterprise which specialized in hydrocarbon-related environmental services. OMV Proterra was a subsidiary of OMV, Austria's largest industrial enterprise and the leading oil and gas group in Central Europe. In March 2005, Saubermacher Dienstleistungs AG became the major shareholder of TERRA. In November 2007, TERRA Umwelttechnik GmbH won the third prize of GEWINN magazine for the competition "Die besten Jungunternehmer 2007 Dritter Gesamtrang" ("Best Start-up companies in Austria 2007")