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The Rheinland-Pfalz extends from the Ludwigshafen/Frankenthal metropolitan area in the north to Wörth in the south, and connects the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region (approximately 2.4 million inhabitants; with the technology region of Karlsruhe (roughly 1.3 million inhabitants). Given its ideal geographic location – situated directly on Europe’s primary waterway – as well as the efficient rail and road links in place, a strong industrial cluster has developed along the Rhine. Almost half of all industrial turnover in Rheinland-Pfalz is generated in the Palatinate (approx. 50 billion euros). Key industrial focus points include chemicals/pharmaceuticals, commercial vehicle construction and mechanical engineering. In addition to a number of international corporations with a presence in the region, many well-known SMEs are also represented here. High-performance logistics and industrial service providers (consulting, research and development, software, etc.) all help to bolster the network industry in the Palatinate.

Industry in the Palatinate is heavily focused on export operations. The proportion of export activity exceeds 70 percent – by way of comparison: Proportion in Rheinland-Pfalz is 58 percent / roughly 50 percent in Germany. The Palatinate and the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region are home to more than 20 universities attended by 80,000+ students, as well as roughly 30 scientific institutions. The geographical proximity enjoyed between business and science has culminated in a fruitful knowledge transfer and the establishment of several industrial clusters (including automotive, commercial vehicle construction, battery technology, simulation technology) and has helped to secure – along with region’s dual vocational training programme – the skilled workers required for tomorrow’s business world.

Link to the English website of the Pfalz Chamber of Industry and Commerce:
https://www.pfalz.ihk24.de/en

Kaiserslautern has successfully completed its transformation from an out-and-out industrial city to a high-tech location. Consistent development efforts have created a competitive network of universities, scientific institutions and research-intensive businesses.

An impressive research infrastructure has subsequently developed, shaped by the Technical University (TU), the University of Applied Sciences, three Fraunhofer Institutes, the Max Planck Institute and the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence. These investments are bearing fruit: The number of local high-tech start-ups is steadily increasing - with an industry focus on software development, artificial intelligence, techno-mathematics, Industry 4.0 and simulation technology.

Kaiserslautern Technical University (TU) is the only engineering university in Rheinland-Pfalz, where approximately 15,000 students are enrolled. Another 6,000 are studying at the University of Applied Sciences. The transfer of expertise from science not only benefits start-ups, but also many established companies as well. In the meantime, many renowned companies have established their presence in the PRE-Park, nestled among various research institutions and in close proximity to the TU.

The Kaiserslautern region has extremely efficient transport infrastructure: The A6, A62 and A63 motorways as well as the ICE high-speed train link allow you to reach the economic centre of Rhine-Neckar, Rhine-Main and even Paris in no time at all and with relative ease.

The Kaiserslautern metropolitan area has a great affinity for English. Over 50,000 US soldiers are stationed here.

Link to the English website of Pfalz Chamber of Industry and Commerce: 
https://www.pfalz.ihk24.de/en

The car and vehicle parts industry is the second largest industrial sector in Rheinland-Pfalz in terms of sales. In 2016, it generated revenues of 13 billion euros; that represented 14 percent of total industry sales. Although the state is not home to a corporate location of Germany's major car manufacturers, it does host two major production sites in Rheinland-Pfalz: on the one hand, the component and engine plant of Adam Opel AG in Kaiserslautern and, on the other, the world's largest international plant for producing medium and heavy trucks for Daimler AG in Wörth am Rhein.

However, suppliers of small and medium-sized cars – with and without an affiliated group – are of particular importance when it comes to ensuring the state’s economic vitality and creating more jobs. These often specialise in systems, components and parts and are frequently characterised by their superior market positioning and em-ployment dynamics.

Several companies have their head offices in and around Koblenz, most notably ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a manufacturer of innovative brake systems, and Stabilus SA, a gas spring manufacturer. Both companies each employ in excess of 1,000 people in the Koblenz area. Between 5 and 9 percent of employees work in the automotive industry in the Koblenz and Mayen-Koblenz regional labour market.

The Nürburgring race track is about a 40-minute drive from the centre of Koblenz. The Nürburgring has long played a major role as a test track for the automotive industry and its suppliers. Numerous businesses from the automotive industry have put down their roots here including, for example, well-known companies such as Aston Martin, Jaguar or Capricon, who all operate their test centres here.

Rheinland-Pfalz is rich in mineral resources. The focus of raw material extraction rests on open-cast mining. In a comparison with Europe, the high-quality clays found in the Westerwald region and the various volcanic rocks of the Eifel are extremely important for – predominately medium-sized – industry. Rheinland-Pfalz ranks first in a federal state comparison, particularly when it comes to mining special clay.

Pre- and end product processing often takes place close to the place of extraction. As a result, an infrastructure has been put in place in the Westerwald region which offers excellent local-level conditions, above all for those companies operating in the refractory and acid protection industry, as well as the plumbing, tile and building ceramics industry. These include innovative research and educational institutions etc. Given its growing industrial structure, the building material and ceramic industries in the region enjoy a well-connected network of business associations.

The Westerwald and the Eifel provide the ideal conditions for those companies in the raw materials and processing industries to establish their own presence.

The Trier region is characterised by a strong specialisation in the consumer goods sector of the manufacturing industry, particularly in the production of foodstuff, stimulants, animal feed and beverages. While the consumer goods sector in Rheinland-Pfalz accounts for roughly 17 percent of total sales in the manufacturing industry, this sector generates about half of industry turnover in the Trier region. This puts beverage, foodstuff and animal feed production in first and second place for industrial turnover respectively, at around 4 billion euros. The consumer goods sector is comparatively less sensitive to the economic climate, and thus has a stabilising effect on economic development within the region.

The makeup of local consumer goods manufacturers is extremely varied. This industry’s company portfolio includes beer and mineral water producers well-known throughout Germany, as well as a tobacco industry geared to international markets. Given the region’s largely rural character, major dairies have become established, producing a variety of dairy products. It also produces frozen foods, bakery and meat products, as well as other foods – including pet food. A special significance is also attributed to the wineries based in the Mosel, as well as the region’s sparkling wine industry. The region’s specialisation in the food and beverage sector is intended to promote the development of a "green-tech cluster" in Bitburg, where extensive military conversion areas are available for civilian business use.

The Trier region is located in the west of Germany and sits right next to its European neighbours France, Luxembourg and Belgium, enabling easy access. The region is thus part of a large European expanse right in the historical heart of Europe, with a total of roughly 11.6 million inhabitants (2015) and a GDP of 391.1 billion euros (2016). Due to an efficient network of motorways and federal highways (A 1, A 48, A 60, A64, A 602, B 50, B51), a trimodal port and attractive airport connections (Frankfurt Hahn Airport, Luxembourg-Findel Airport), the region already offers excellent links to neighbouring countries and regions and provides optimal conditions for handling multimodal transport.

As a result of a bridge being built between the Eifel and Hunsrück, and the completion of the Hochmosel crossing (new B 50), which is one of the largest road construction projects in Germany, the Trier region will be brought even closer to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport in 2019 and will benefit from a significantly shorter connection to the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main metropolitan region. Infrastructure enhancement is already having a noticeable effect on the surrounding area. Demand for commercial space is growing, and new business parks are currently being designated in the vicinity of the new traffic route.

As the Wittlich area is already a great location for logistics, the Trier region and the neighbouring logistics region of Frankfurt-Hahn are becoming ever more important, and provide just what you need for starting a business in the logistics industry in an area that is attractive for both living and working.

The Rheinhessen region has a lot to offer when it comes to business; one of the strengths of the local economy is its diversity. The variety of well-known companies, as well as hidden champions, ensure that this region offers incredible opportunities for business and investment. With a population of 5.3 million, it is one of the most important international business locations in the world.

The main business sectors in the Rheinhessen area include:

• Logistics Centre
• Tourism
• Banking
• Glass
• Media centre
• Rubber and plastics
• Healthcare management
• Chemical and pharmaceutical industry
• Agri-food business
• Wine-growing

The main location advantages in the Rheinhessen region are its good transport links, proximity to Frankfurt airport and access to the Rhine shipping route.

Let us help you with your business investment in Germany by providing the following services:

The CCI’s International Affairs Department provides the following:

• Networking Events for the international business community
• Advisory services on trade and direct investment abroad
• Issuance of ATA carnets
• Issuance of certificates of origin for foreign trade transactions

Find out more about our wide range of other services:
https://www.rheinhessen.ihk24.de/en/servicelabels/aboutus

Rheinhessen is known as the location for world-renowned companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Established companies such as the Boehringer Ingelheim Group have been long-standing global players in the region. Innovative companies - such as BioNTech AG and PharmGenomics GmbH - have chosen Rheinhessen as their location in recent years due to its expanding environment and opportunities for development. Location factors include its proximity to the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, which can attract skilled workers from the immediate vicinity. At the same time, numerous high-level collaborations are the result of its proximity to (and the outstanding work of) the University of Mainz in the field of pharmaceutical and biochemical research. Personalised immunotherapy and new flu vaccines are just two globally relevant areas that are currently being worked on in Rheinhessen. The chemical industry, which is also highly-developed in the region and has a very broad base, not only ensures short supply routes – the foundations have also been laid here for partnerships and other forms of collaboration.

Finished pharmaceutical products were the most important exports from Rheinland-Pfalz in 2018, valued at 10.81 million euros. In the same year, the pharmaceutical industry recorded the largest percentage increase in sales (plus 77.8 percent) of all industrial sectors in Rheinland-Pfalz.