Greentech in the heart of Europe: You can’t have everything, except in NRW

NRW leads Europe’s greentech shift, where innovation, industry, and sustainability create unmatched opportunities.

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany's most populous and economically strongest federal state, is Europe's most important energy region and therefore the largest arena for the modernisation and decarbonisation of key industries. With over 170,000 greentech employees, NRW offers international companies a unique investment environment, for example, for technologies for the efficient storage, transmission and use of energy, water and recycling management.

Key to green transformation in Europe

In NRW, greentech is one of the powerful drivers of change. Transformation is NRW's core competence. The region of heavy industry has become a pioneer for innovation and sustainability. 

The aim of NRW is to become the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe. Mines are being transformed into recycling sites, and plasma technology is being used to turn non-recyclable plastic packaging into 100% recyclable material.

Success and profitable growth thrive where companies benefit from all the advantages of an ideal location: from innovative start-up energy and a skilled workforce to established knowledge networks and international partnerships - such as with Singapore.

A vibrant partnership

The links between Singapore and NRW are already strong: we share a trade volume of EUR1.4b. Chemicals and mechanical engineering, both key elements of greentech, make up the majority of this exchange. Singapore is one of the most important partners for NRW amongst the ASEAN economies. 

Companies from Singapore, such as Green Li-ion, Aerogen, and Niessing, are already working successfully in NRW.

The best minds for greentech innovation

In NRW, you will find an excellent university and research landscape with around 70 institutions that also focus on the circular economy, water technology and resource efficiency. This means that you will find a large pool of highly qualified specialists who are entering the job market with new ideas.

Business and science are mutually inspiring. For example, startups and companies from the fields of energy, sustainability and mobility come together at the Euref Campus in Düsseldorf, which is to develop into a European energy forum. Circular Valley in Wuppertal brings together startups, established companies, science and politics to accelerate concrete solutions and the transition to a circular economy.

International greentech companies are becoming part of a vibrant innovation landscape in NRW. Advice on the use of renewable energies in industry, apps for digital waste management, increasing the thermal efficiency of buildings by means of more accurate indoor climate data, and innovative coating technologies to make packaging recyclable – these are just some of the technologies that NRW's greentech sector is currently advancing.

Dynamic greentech location

Where so much green transformation is driving an enormously diverse business location in the heart of Europe, NRW.Global Business shows the best way forward and helps international greentech companies find their place amongst the many opportunities. Because: You can’t have everything. Except in NRW. 

As the state's official foreign trade and investment agency of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW.Global Business provides you with competent and trustworthy support to explore your opportunities in NRW and build up your business.