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Investors stimulate the economy, create jobs, strenghten innovation impetus and bring new products, services and processes to NRW.

In doing so, they make a decisive contribution to the competitiveness of North Rhine-Westphalia. NRW.Global Business honors exemplary investments in NRW with the NRW.Global Business AWARD. At the same time, this acknowledgement is extended symbolically to all investors who have opted for NRW as their business location. Over the years since its inception, the NRW.Global Business Award has gone to either an individual company or several companies for their exemplary commitment to NRW and their contribution to the economic development of the state.

And the award goes to ...?

The AWARD 2025 went to companies from the Netherlands, Estonia, Turkey and NRW.

The red carpet is rolled out for NRW's foreign trade: Four companies could look forward to the AWARD 2024 – and each one has its own unique success story: 

LyondellBasell

The chemicals group LyondellBasell is promoting the circular economy in North Rhine-Westphalia through an ambitious recycling project. The company is building a chemical recycling plant based on its MoReTec technology in Wesseling, its largest European site. This technology can convert a wide variety of plastic waste into high-quality raw materials. The project is accompanied by the construction of a state-of-the-art sorting center at the Hürth site. Both projects are powered entirely by renewable energy and will enable a recycling rate of at least 80%. With a total investment of over 300 million euros, LyondellBasell is establishing North Rhine-Westphalia as a leading location for innovative plastic recycling in Europe.

Tactical Solutions

The Estonian company Tactical Solutions has been producing freeze-dried specialty food for outdoor and crisis operations in Hilden since 2024. Originally developed for extreme situations, the process guarantees a shelf life of eight years while preserving the food's taste, structure and nutrients without the use of preservatives. The company is based in North Rhine-Westphalia and sells its products in 24 countries, supplying the military, aid organizations, schools and hospitals. Over 100,000 meals have also been provided to Ukraine. More than 30 jobs have been created at the Hilden site. Through energy-efficient production and significant social benefits, Tactical Solutions is making an important contribution to sustainable supply and resilience.

Rivian

Headquartered in Istanbul, Laser ISSE specializes in sophisticated industrial laser applications for over 20 sectors of industry, including cutting, welding, engraving and laser cleaning. By establishing a European branch in Duisburg in 2023 and setting up its own sales, development and service structure, Laser ISSE is clearly signaling its commitment to North Rhine-Westphalia as a production location. Laser ISSE manages its growing European business from Duisburg. With robotics, intelligent control systems and its own laser laboratory, Laser ISSE is strengthening industrial transformation and research on the ground. The site will expand in the future to include the Research & Development department.

Herbeder Holzwarenkontor Jörn Brenscheidt

Herbeder Holzwarenkontor Jörn Brenscheidt (Hokon) from Witten is the first craft business to receive the NRW.Global Business AWARD. The company manufactures high-quality wooden staircases and realizes complex projects worldwide. It achieved international fame with the world's largest free-standing wooden staircase for a bank in Norway. What began as a regional craft business has become a globally active company with branches and showrooms in Europe, Asia and the United States. Already, 80 percent of its revenue is generated abroad. Hokon is consistently expanding its global network with new branches – an international success story of the North Rhine-Westphalian trade.

Award winners of the last years

AWARD 2024

2024

  • The Japanese high-tech company Fujifilm.
  • The Polish EdTech start-up Coding Giants
  • The US electric car manufacturer Rivian.
  • The gearbox manufacturer Flender from Münsterland. 
AWARD 2023

2023

AWARD 2022

2022

AWARD 2021

2021

  • The Chinese technology giant Xiaomi
  • 2G Energy, the company from Heek in the Münsterland region manufactures combined heat and power units
  • The Japanese automotive supplier Marelli
  • Enapter from Thailand, a specialist for hydrogen technology
AWARD 2020

2020

AWARD 2019

2019

AWARD 2018

2018

AWARD 2017

2017

AWARD 2016

2016

AWARD 2015

2015

AWARD 2014

2014

  • The Chinese provider of information technology and telecommunications solutions HUAWEI
  • The US express and parcel delivery service UPS 
  • The French chemical company Air Liquide 
AWARD 2013

2013

  • One of the leading manufacturers of construction machinery on the Chinese market, XCMG Europe, Krefeld.
  • The German corrugated cardboard specialist Schumacher Packaging, AirportPark FMO in Greven.
  • The Turkish communications and technology company Turkcell, Cologne.
AWARD 2012

2012

  • The German branch of the French welding equipment manufacturer GYS in Aachen.
  • The winning duo 3M from Neuss and Kleine Logistik from Grevenbroich.
  • The Japanese company XTREME technologies GmbH, Alsdorf.
AWARD 2011

2011

AWARD 2010

2010

AWARD 2009

2009

  • The Bochum development center of the Canadian Black Berry manufacturer Research in Motion Deutschland GmbH (RIM).
  • The Japanese flavor and fragrance manufacturer Takasago in Zülpich.
  • The Chinese construction machinery manufacturer SANY, based in Bedburg/Bergheim - Mühlenerft.
AWARD 2006

2006

  • The Swedish technology company Atlas Copco, based in Essen.
  • The Finnish company Rhein Papier - a subsidiary of the Finnish paper group Myllykoski - in Hürth.
  • The Danish company Genan, based in the Dorsten/Marl industrial park.
  • The Norwegian energy producer Statkraf, based in Düsseldorf.
AWARD 2005

2005

  • Award from the US company QVC for over 2,500 jobs created in NRW.
AWARD 2004

2004

  • The British vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson with its German headquarters in Cologne.
AWARD 2003

2003

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions

Annette Peis
General Manager Marketing | Press
+49 211 13000-162
Send an email
Eloi Voigt
Project Manager Event Management | Online-Marketing
+49 211 13000-163
Send an email

The best location factors for NRW

With its location factors, NRW is the most important economic region in Germany and has for years been one of the most popular investment locations for foreign companies in Europe. We have compiled the best location factors here.

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