Just the right combination – discover North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany’s leading investment location

A network of SMEs and global players, future-oriented business and cutting-edge research, skilled workers and high potentials, comprehensive infrastructure and a location in the heart of Europe – all in one place? You can’t have everything – except in NRW.

Choosing a business location is usually a matter of trade-offs. Decision-makers weigh options, prioritise and ultimately settle for one advantage over another. But what if there was a place to invest without the usual compromises?

NRW is Germany’s most populous state and one of Europe’s most powerful economic regions. Within a 200-kilometre radius of the state capital Düsseldorf, around 46 million people live and work – one of the largest consumer and labour markets in Europe. It is no coincidence that more than 700,000 SMEs and one in three of Germany’s highest-grossing companies are based here.

What sets NRW apart is not just its scale. The region combines long-standing industrial expertise with a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Over 24,000 international companies such as Vodafone, Toyota, BP, UPS and 3M have already chosen NRW as their European base, benefiting from a highly connected environment across key industries.

Choosing NRW is not a decision between manufacturing expertise and scientific excellence. Here, around 70 universities, 15 clusters of excellence and 60 incubator centres conduct cutting-edge research. At the same time, 9.8 million skilled professionals and over 700,000 students – many with international backgrounds – ensure a continuous flow of talent.

This also applies to high-tech industries such as aerospace. NRW hosts a strong and growing aerospace sector, with hundreds of companies covering the entire value chain – from specialised suppliers to advanced aircraft components. Combined with leading research institutions such as the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Cologne, the region contributes to technological innovation in areas ranging from materials science to digital and security technologies.

Yet aerospace is just one example of a broader strength: the ability to transfer knowledge, technologies and industrial expertise across sectors. This cross-industry collaboration is a key driver of innovation in NRW and a decisive advantage for companies looking to scale their business.

Geographical location is a crucial factor for growth, but it means little without the right infrastructure. NRW has developed an excellent transport infrastructure in the centre of Europe – with six airports, a close-knit road and rail network and the world's largest inland port.

At the same time, NRW is actively shaping the future of industry. The region is committed to becoming a climate-neutral industrial hub by 2045, driving forward the transformation towards sustainable energy systems and positioning itself as a pioneer in Europe’s hydrogen economy. This ambition builds on a long tradition of industrial transformation – and an ability to reinvent itself.

NRW brings together what belongs together: research and business, startups and corporations, visionary leaders and skilled workers. Choosing NRW is not about compromise – it is about gaining a unique combination of opportunities.

You can’t have everything. Except in NRW.

Meet NRW at Farnborough International Airshow

Hall 4 | Stand 4150

NRW is taking part in the Farnborough International Airshow for the first time with a NRW pavilion, presenting a delegation of aviation experts from the region.

The appearance highlights NRW’s role as one of Europe’s most innovative locations for the aerospace industry and a key hub for aerospace research. A selection of companies will showcase their expertise and technologies, underlining the strength of the region’s industrial and research ecosystem.

NRW.Global Business, the state-owned trade and investment agency, supports international companies in exploring investment opportunities within this dynamic environment.

Explore our exhibitor directory to learn more about the companies representing NRW at Farnborough International Airshow and their focus areas!