Well-known foreign companies in NRW
Every year, more and more multinational enterprises decide to invest in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to the ORBIS Europe company database, more than 24,000 foreign companies have already established business operations in NRW. This equates to one fifth of all multinational enterprises in Germany as a whole. Here you can find an overview of the multinational enterprises in NRW.
International companies in NRW at a glance
Netherlands / 4,000 companies
e.g. Bassell Polyolefine GmbH, Gazelle, Picnic FCA, Primagas Energie, Refresco Deutschland, Seacon Logistics, Suntjens Süsswaren, 247 TailorSteel
USA / 1,700 companies
e.g. 3M, Amazon, Electronic Arts, FedEx, Ford, Medtronic, Microsoft, QVC, UPS
UK / 1,600 companies
e.g. BP, Computacenter, Dyson, Lush, Vodafone
Switzerland / 1,600 companies
e.g. Geberit Keramik, Lindt & Sprüngli, Lonza, Odlo Logistik, Oerlikon, Rolex
France / 1,100 companies
e.g. Air Liquide, Bonduelle, Decathlon, L‘Oréal, Peugeot, Renault, Saint Gobain Rigips, Teleperformance, Total
PR China* / 1,000 companies
e.g. Bank of China, Huawei, Minmetals, Sany, XCMG, ZCC Cutting Tools, Xiaomi, ZTE
Austria / 900 companies
e.g. Benteler, Hasco Hasenclever, Müllers Mühle, Papstar, Strabag, Voestalpine
Türkiye / 850 companies
e.g. Efes Deutschland, Gökbora, Karaca Porzellan, Kässbohrer/Tirsan, Sarar, Tadim
Japan* / 650 companies
e.g. Alps Electric, Asahi Kasei, Canon, Fujifilm, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Toshiba, Toyota
Italy / 580 companies
e.g. Barilla, Calzedonia Germany, Diesel Deutschland, Elettronica, R.D.M. Arnsberg, TX Logistik
Sweden / 430 companies
e.g. Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Ikea, SANDVIK Tooling Deutschland, Securitas
Poland* / 360 companies
e.g. Amica International, Draftex Automotive, FLT-Wälzlager, Hoesch Design, Kronos
Denmark / 260 companies
e.g. Arla Foods, Grundfos, ISS Facility Services, NKT, Only Stores Germany
Israel / 160 companies
e.g. BTN Baran Telecom Networks, Constab Polyolefin Addivtives, Calorplast Wärmetechnik, Diva Fashions, Polytex Technologies
Finland / 130 companies
e.g. Kemira, Metso, Outokumpu Nirosta, Stora Enso Paper, UPM Kymmene/Rhein Papier
India / 110 companies
e.g. Ashok Leyland, Bharat Forge, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel Germany, Wipro Business
Norway / 100 companies
e.g. Hydro Aluminium, MHWirth, Statkraft Markets, SuperOffice, Tomra Systems
Taiwan* / 100 companies
e.g. Asus Computer, Benq Deutschland, QCG Computer
Korea* / 60 companies
e.g. Bixolon, Clark Europe, CTR Europe, Doosan Lentjes, GigaTera EU, EH Med, Hwacheon Machinery Europe, Seegene Germany
* own investigation
Sources: ORBIS WORLD, August 2024; NRW.Global Business GmbH
Outstanding investment projects in NRW
Alongside the many compelling economic and infrastructure-related arguments in favor of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW stands out on account of its cosmopolitan atmosphere and hospitality. Cultural diversity is a defining feature of NRW. For example, Cologne has a broad-based Chinese infrastructure (medical professionals, service providers, schools etc.). Over the past 150 years of lively economic and cultural exchange with Japan, Europe’s third largest Japanese community has emerged in the city of Düsseldorf. Due to these favorable conditions, foreign investors feel at home in NRW, both culturally and economically.
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.
Laser ISSE
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.