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Decarbonizing the construction industry is one of the biggest challenges of industrial transformation. Since its founding in 2024, Co-reactive, a climate tech startup based in Erkrath with roots at RWTH Aachen University, has developed a solution. Using a chemical mineralization process, the company binds captured carbon dioxide with mineral raw materials or industrial by-products, converting them into a new generation of low-carbon cementitious additives (SCM). The result is CO-SCM, which stores CO₂ permanently while improving concrete's strength and durability. Additionally, this process can be integrated into existing cement and concrete production without requiring a fundamental conversion. Thus, the company meets the growing demand for alternative binders and the increasing climate protection requirements of the construction industry.

With its new technology center in Elsdorf, the Düsseldorf-based machine and plant manufacturer GEA is significantly expanding its capacities in the field of pharmaceutical freeze drying. The site in the Rheinisches Revier region replaces the previous plant in Hürth, combining research, development, production, and service under one roof. The investment, which runs into tens of millions, is creating around 250 jobs.

France is a leading market in Europe due to its rapidly growing budget in the areas of security and defense. As the world's second-largest arms exporter, France offers German suppliers and dual-use providers excellent sales and cooperation opportunities. This creates a wide range of market possibilities for NRW companies in the defense and armaments sector. With this in mind, NRW.Global Business is organizing a corporate trip to Paris.

A research team at Bochum University of Applied Sciences is using the large-scale CoBotCraftLab device to investigate the collaboration between humans and robots in the construction industry. Their research covers topics such as movement sequences, safety aspects, and the design of comprehensible and predictable processes for robots. The departments of architecture, mechatronics, and mechanical engineering are collaborating on the project.

Many companies in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) are facing high demands due to increasing international competitive pressure and the transformation of industrial processes towards climate neutrality and a circular economy. To secure production sites and enable technological renewal, the state relies on targeted funding instruments. The complementary programs “Produktives.NRW“ und “Zirkuläre Produktion“ aim to modernize existing industrial facilities and develop sustainable production approaches.

From September 22 to 25, 2026, WindEnergy Hamburg will once again become the international meeting place for the wind industry. Industry experts, energy suppliers, and politicians will gather to discuss technological developments and market trends. NRW.Global Business is organizing an NRW pavilion in which companies from North Rhine-Westphalia can present their solutions and expertise to an international audience. 

A new data center is set to be built in Lippetal. The US company Blackstone has signed a purchase agreement for a plot of land spanning over 27 hectares. The company plans to invest several billion euros to build a hyperscale data center, which will be one of the largest investments of its kind in Germany. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed in the early 2030s.

The Climate Innovation.NRW focus center began operating at the University of Cologne at the start of 2026. As a statewide contact point for startup consulting, Climate Innovation.NRW focuses on climate protection and the green economy. The initiative aims to exploit climate protection potential and make the economy and society in NRW more climate-neutral. Climate Innovation.NRW is a joint project of the Gateway Excellence Startup Center and the Sustainability Office at the University of Cologne.