Baden-Württemberg‟s location in the centre of Europe offers a significant advantage in that it guarantees access to many important markets. Baden-Württemberg‟s environmental technology companies have the technology to develop and manufacture high-quality products and are thus leaders in Germany and Europe. There is national as well as international demand for their products and technologies and they are used throughout the world.

Environmental technology in Germany

• Environmental technology is a significant economic factor in Germany and is developing into a new leading sector. In the light of global ecological challenges such as climate change, combined with the economical and careful use of natural resources, the role of environmental technology will increase significantly in importance in the future.

• Over 5,600 businesses whose goods and services, including construction services, serve the purpose of environmental protection exclusively, employ over 92,000 people and achieve a turnover of more than 22.4 billion Euros.

• Germany is the world’s foremost exporter of environmental products. With a market share of world trade in environmental protection products of over 16%, Germany is ahead of both the USA and Japan.

• In Germany around 3.3% of the national budget for research and development is spent on environmental protection. This gives Germany top ranking worldwide – well ahead of France, Great Britain, Japan or the USA.