Industry Potential

Germany is the prime location for innovative companies seeking to adapt their innovations to the specific demands of the European market or to develop the next generation of products.

They can tap into a well-established network of industry and academia and have direct access to first-class facilities, specific scientific and industrial projects and contact with suppliers and customers.

Internationally, Germany is considered to be a testing ground for energy efficiency and new energy concepts. Investors interested in R&D projects within industrial biotechnology, lightweight materials, and process technologies for energy storage would be well advised to come and see for themselves what Germany has to offer. 

• Chemical Industry
• Energy Efficiency Sector
• Fraunhofer Pilot Plant Center (PAZ) for Polymers in Schkopau
• CFK-Valley Stade

In the photovoltaic (PV) industry, three fields of research are especially interesting for investors: High-efficiency silicon cell and module development, thin-film solar technology (for example, CIGS) and the nascent organic PV segment. The optimization of system technology and net integration are currently undergoing intense R&D. This ranges from new inverter technology to cutting-edge energy storage options.

To make this possible, Germany offers the R&D landscape with the highest density of institutes and companies conducting research worldwide. This is reflected in Germany’s expertise, alongside the USA and Japan, in driving innovation in PV. Not only do companies benefit from knowledge-sharing, they also have the ability to develop and implement new products in the largest PV market worldwide. Innovative businesses also profit from cooperation with related industries, such as chemicals, microelectronics, semiconductors as well as machinery and equipment.

• Solar Industry
• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
• Helmholtz Center for Materials and Energy
• Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) Baden-Württemberg