About Dusiburg and the Ruhr region

Dusiburg and the Ruhrgebiet are in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany's largest state In terms of both economic output and population. It generates 21.9% of German GDP and 18.2% of exports. It has huge spending power (€283 billion per annum) and a highly qualified workforce, with Europe’s highest concentration of research and higher education institutions. NRW now has a very broad variety of businesses in manufacturing industries and services, and its international trade exhibitions and outstanding transportation infrastructure have made NRW a hub for European business. NRW is by far the most popular target region for direct foreign investment in Germany.

Key industrial sectors in NRW include:

Food & beverage: NRW is one of Europe’s leading producers and consumers. More than 95,000 people work in the sector, producing more than € 27 billion worth of foodstuffs every year. In NRW, you'll find everything from beer to chocolate.

Chemicals and pharmaceuticals: the world’s best known medicine, Aspirin, was developed by Bayer in nearby Leverkusen, and the sector remains one of the state’s largest employers.

Rubber plastics & packaging: NRW has more than 700 companies in this sector, having gained international importance due to the presence of global players like Bayer, 3M, Johnson Controls, Continental and Semperit. Some 20 companies in NRW also specialise in plastic and rubber recycling.

Paper: Germany’s best known paper product, Tempo tissues, are produced at Neuss, and there are 250 companies based in the paper, paperboard, cardboard and packaging market. The sector also includes companies producing household and sanitary goods, wallpaper, stationary, greeting cards, stickers – employing more than 35,000 people in total.

Glass: NRW generates great demand for processed flat glass, bottles, fibre optics, fibreglass insulation, and even high-tech solar panels and optical lenses. Some 80 companies manufacture in NRW.

Hardware: Solingen is almost synonymous with quality metal products. Nearly 2,000 companies in NRW specialise in finished metal goods. Almost any hardware item you can think of, from rivets to razor blades, is produced here. With more than 176,000 employees, the hardware sector is NRW's second largest employment sector.

Automobiles: manufacturers such as Ford, Daimler-Chrysler and Opel have plants in NRW and many other auto companies and suppliers have their German distribution networks based in the area.

Metal: 471 NRW companies boast decades of expertise in the manufacture of iron, steel, ferrous and other alloys, aluminum, copper, nickel, lead, zinc and tin. You will find cold rolled strips, ingots, pipes, castings and wire all produced in NRW.

Mining: Despite the recent downsizing of the coal mining industry in Germany it has a guaranteed future in the Ruhrgebiet. An aid package for the coal industry of €17 billion is being granted between 2006 and 2012. The Ruhr still sits on huge reserves of coal.

Textiles and clothing: 296 companies in NRW specialise in textile goods. Wovens and ready-made textile goods, tissues and yarns as well as knit fabrics, stockings, pullovers and cardigans are part of the textile product line in NRW.

Wood processing: 25% of the state of NRW is covered by forest. There are more than 280 makers of wood products throughout the state.

Printing & publishing: 54,000 people work in this sector, which includes books, magazines and electronic media.

Source: www.gfw-nrw.de