Chemical Region North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine-Westphalia is the most significant chemical region in Germany. With a turnover of approx. 41 billion Euros and more than 100,000 employees (2009, source: VCI) in more than 400 chemical enterprises, the chemical industry is – second to the metal industry – the strongest industrial sector of the federal state. Chemistry mainly concentrates in the Ruhr region and the region along the Rhine. Seven of the 20 largest chemical enterprises by sales are headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia.

North Rhine-Westphalia is not only the center of the chemical industry in Europe but also Germany’s top investment location. By the end of 2008, 28.7 percent of the foreign direct investments went to North Rhine-Westphalia. Thanks to its central position in Europe, more than 50% of the European GDP can be reached by truck within one day. The dense traffic network on roads, rail and waterways is leading in international comparison and gives North Rhine-Westphalia ideal access to the European transportation network.

Germany ranks on top number 4 of the chemical regions worldwide -
North Rhine Westphalia is number 1 in Germany (2008)

North Rhine-Westphalia offers a tightly meshed network of universities, technical universities, and private and state-owned research facilities

•  63 technological centers and technological parks

• 55 universities and universities of applied sciences

• 30 technology agencies

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