The economic policy in Niedersachsen supports the competitiveness of enterprises in the state and thus also growth and employment in the industry. Strategic goals are flexibility, innovation, mobility and internationality in particular. Niedersachsen’s industry is at the forefront in many sectors. These are, for example, the automotive industry including the automotive supply industry, the steel industry, the chemical industry and the aviation industry. Additionally the maritime industry, the highly productive agricultural and food industry, machine-building, solar and wind energy generation, the healthcare industry, the life science and medical sectors as well as the insurance and tourism branches play a significant role. Niedersachsen has a multitude of outstanding enterprises and world-class industrial regions. Be it magnificent cruise ships, progressive developments in the automotive industry or future-oriented renewable energies - Niedersachsen is the industrial location of the future.

Automotive - From Cars to Buses

The automotive industry is the most important economic sector in Niedersachsen. Emden, Hanover, Osnabrück, Salzgitter and Wolfsburg have production facilities for saloon cars, convertibles, SUVs, trucks and buses. The automotive and automotive supply industries make up 30 percent of all jobs in Niedersachsen. Volkswagen and Continental are world-famous corporations in this sector.

Energy - Focus on Renewable Energies

The shortage of fossil resources and the price trend on the energy market are making the increased use of renewable energies necessary. Therefore, Niedersachsen supports the target of the European Parliament to cover 25 percent of the total energy demand through renewable energies by 2020. However, renewable energies have in the meantime become an important economic factor as well: Throughout Germany this sector employs more 170,000 people and offers future-oriented apprenticeships to 12,000 young people.

Agricultural and Food Industry - High Productivity Thanks to Strong Agriculture

The food industry in Niedersachsen ranks top in Germany and its share in the total added value in this sector is 20 percent. After the automotive industry, the agricultural and food industry is the second largest sector in the state. Agriculture in Niedersachsen is characterised by large and efficient businesses, the productivity of which is around 40 percent above the state average. The food sector has only been able to reach its strong position thanks to the productive agricultural sector. The food industry has more than 760 producing companies. They employ over 87,000 people. Important sub-sectors are meat production and processing as well as milk processing.

Life Sciences - For a healthy life

Biotechnology and Life Sciences take a top position in Niedersachsen. More than 260 companies with almost 20,000 employees work on enzymes, vaccines, innovative medicines and seeds. A significant advantage of the location is the extensive research landscape with many first-class research facilities. In the area of life science alone there are 18 universities and technical colleges; for biotechnology there are an additional 80 research institutions and 230 working groups.

Logistics - Close to Customers, Close to the Manufacturers

For Niedersachsen the enlargement of the European Union (EU) and the advancing globalisation has continued to increase the significance of the logistics sector. As a logistical hub for domestic and international transportation, Niedersachsen, with its efficient infrastructure, is an ideal location for serving the European markets - close to customers and manufacturers alike.

Aviation - Aiming high

The state of Niedersachsen in close cooperation with Hamburg and Bremen is among the few aviation locations in Europe that master the entire value chain of aeronautical engineering from draft to final assembly. The industrial structure covers everything from international corporations and medium-sized suppliers to small engineering services. The main factors making Niedersachsen an aviation location are the Airbus locations in Buxtehude, Nordenham, Stade and Varel, the CFK valley in Stade and the Braunschweig research airport.

Maritime Industry - From Aqua-Culture to Wind Energy

The term Maritime Industry represents a multitude of sectors: Ports, shipping, shipbuilding, offshore underwater technology, ice and polar technology are part of it as well as offshore wind energy, maritime aqua-culture, blue biotechnology, hydrography, maritime process control and safety technology, maritime environmental protection technology, coast management and water engineering. The diversity of these various sectors reveals that the maritime industry is a significant economic factor for Niedersachsen.

Machine-building - Technology at the Highest Level

The mechanical engineering industry comprises enterprises that in total employ more than 50,000 people. According to figures of the Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (German Engineering Federation) and the former Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Statistik (State Statistics Agency for Niedersachsen) the revenue in 2008 increased by about ten percent year-on-year. The total revenue added up to approx. 12 billion EUR, half of which was generated abroad