Cleantech

HERE we are working on success.

Saxony-Anhalt is successful in the cleantech sector because it offers a combination of technological leadership, practical research networks, government support, innovative start-ups, sustainable industrial integration and resource availability. This creates significant synergies between business, research and politics, positioning the region as a leading cleantech location in Germany and Europe.

The cleantech sector encompasses solutions for energy efficiency, the circular economy, water technologies and low-emission production. With strong research clusters, chemical parks and an excellent infrastructure, Saxony-Anhalt is a leading location for investments in sustainable technologies.

Areas of expertise

Broad field of expertise and technological lead: Saxony-Anhalt focuses on these six central cleantech fields of expertise.

Renewable energies

Technological lead

Practical research networks

Innovative start-up scene

Resource availability

Sustainable industrial integration

Renewable energies

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Enercon GmbH

ENERCON is one of the world's leading manufacturers of wind turbines and a pioneer in gearless drive technology. The Magdeburg site acts as a competence center for generator production within the global production network. Central components such as stators, rotors and rotor bearing units for ENERCON wind turbines are produced here.

The company currently has around 760 employees, plans to increase this number to around 1,100 by 2026 and is investing tens of millions in expanding its production capacities. The aim is to produce up to 500 generators per year.

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Planned expansion of jobs by 2026

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Generators per year

Technological lead

HERE technology becomes an advantage.

The chemical industry in particular, one of the country's largest economic sectors, is contributing to sustainable production through initiatives such as the hydrogen project in Leuna, for example through the use of green hydrogen. In addition to large industrial projects, companies are also involved in cleantech innovations aimed at recycling processes, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The early integration of environmental technologies into operational processes has made Saxony-Anhalt a pioneering location in the field of sustainable industrial processes.

Biorefinery Leuna | UPM Biochemicals

UPM is investing in the biochemistry of tomorrow. The bioeconomy serves as inspiration and stands for a future beyond fossil raw materials. The world's first biorefinery of its kind is being built in Leuna, Saxony-Anhalt. Sustainably sourced hardwood is used to produce biochemicals that are used to manufacture recyclable everyday objects and materials. They enable a wide range of applications - including textiles, plastics, rubber, cosmetics and medicines - and at the same time contribute to a significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

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Practical research networks

HERE is where progress is made in the network.

Fraunhofer-Zentrum für Chemisch-Biotechnologische Prozesse CBP // Fraunhofer-Zentrum für Chemisch-Biotechnologische Prozesse CBP

R&D is at the heart of the cleantech sector. In Saxony-Anhalt, companies work closely with universities and clusters to develop new technologies for a sustainable future.

BioEconomy innovation cluster
Focus: Use of bio-based raw materials and sustainable production processes
House of Transfer
- Central point of contact for stakeholders from the bioeconomy, chemicals, plastics and hydrogen sectors
- Existing activities are to be linked across sectors and value chains - with the aim of strengthening regional innovative capacity and accelerating the transformation to a greenhouse gas-neutral circular economy.

Subclusters in the House of Transfer

Bioeconomy
- Focus on renewable raw materials, circular economy and bio-based materials
- Partners: e.g. BioEconomy e.V.
Chemistry
- Transformation of the chemical industry towards sustainable processes
- Topics: Defossilization, green chemistry, new value chains
- Partner: Cooperation network Chemie+
Plastics
- Innovations in plastics processing and recycling
- Focus on sustainable materials and industrial applications
- Partner: POLYKUM e. V. - Polymer development and plastics technology
Hydrogen
- Use of green hydrogen as an energy source and raw material
- Development of infrastructure and market models for H₂ technologies

Innovative start-up scene

Entrepreneurship starts HERE.

Recycling und Kreislaufwirtschaft | Solar Materials

Sustainable industrial projects and start-up ecosystem: Successful cleantech start-ups such as Solar Materials GmbH demonstrate the implementation of innovative, resource-saving technologies. The company operates industrial recycling lines for photovoltaic modules, saves energy and CO₂ and is regarded internationally as a technological pioneer. Such success stories attract further capital, talent and expertise.

Sustainable growth, strong teams and entrepreneurial substance find a home in Saxony-Anhalt: bmp Ventures - We empower Tech Companies

Resource availability

HERE resources become reliability.

The circular economy is a key to resource efficiency. Saxony-Anhalt supports companies in the development of innovative recycling and reuse technologies.

Water as a resource
Due to Saxony-Anhalt's long-standing chemical tradition, water as a resource plays an important role. For example, treatment, recycling, enrichment and research.

Companies and institutions

Nanostone Water - Water solutions with advanced ceramic membranes

Produces ceramic ultrafiltration membranes for municipal and industrial water/wastewater treatment.

SIDRA Bitterfeld

Manufacturer of iron(III) chemicals for water and wastewater treatment.

Start - Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research UFZ

Leading research center for environmental and water management

Sustainable industrial integration

HERE is where industry meets sustainability.

Sustainable value creation and industry integration: The cleantech segment in Saxony-Anhalt is strongly linked to energy, raw materials and the circular economy, which increases the competitiveness of companies.

The company

The world market leader in flat rolled aluminum products and aluminum recycling - Novelis (Nachterstedt)

Operator of the world's largest aluminum recycling center, conversion from linear to closed-loop model.

Mitteldeutsche Umwelt- und Entsorgung GmbH

Specialist for the disposal of contaminated areas, European market leader in acid tar disposal.

Cradle to cradle material health cycle - NOVO-TECH GmbH

Production of GCC (German Compact Composite): An environmentally friendly wood-based material with up to75% natural fiber content.

Innovator in industrial niches - newcycle GmbH

Processing and trading in plastics
Production of technical fillers and chemical compounds

Support from the state of Saxony-Anhalt

HERE Saxony-Anhalt supports sustainable growth.

The state provides targeted funding for projects using GRW funds, for example for innovative mobility or sustainability technologies, and uses the existing chemical, plastics and life science industries as a basis for cleantech innovations. The combination of infrastructure, research capacities and funding programs strengthens Saxony-Anhalt's position as an innovation location for environmental technologies.

Find out more HERE.