Clusters as catalysts for transformation processes
The Clusters meet Regions event, organized by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy as host and NRW.innovativ, took place on November 8th and 9th in Düsseldorf. The event focused on the dual transformation – climate neutrality and digitalization – and in particular the supporting role of clusters in creating a climate-neutral and digital industrial region.
Over 70 representatives of cluster organizations (from North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond), political decision-makers (at state, EU and federal level), economic development agencies and other relevant actors came together at the event to discuss how clusters can work together with regional ones Authorities and other partners can best support North Rhine-Westphalia's transformation challenges. In various panel discussions, the event offered insights into the economy of North Rhine-Westphalia, the role of clusters in the context of the current crises and plans for relevant legislation. It became clear that North Rhine-Westphalia has a mature cluster landscape that is already dealing with the state's diverse transformative challenges and supports mastering the dual transformation. At the same time, the importance of interregional cooperation was emphasized and it was emphasized that interregional networking must be further strengthened in order to best support the transformation of the NRW industrial region.
NRW's cluster landscape offers many starting points for international cooperation
Against this background, the event also offered the opportunity to establish cooperation opportunities for interregional cooperation between relevant actors in North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU in matching & pitching sessions. Various regional and international organizations from different areas, from hydrogen to mechanical engineering to artificial intelligence, presented themselves in the pitching sessions. The matchmaking sessions offered the participating regional and international cluster organizations and other relevant actors the opportunity to network and develop common ideas for cooperation projects in the context of transformative challenges. This should improve the ability of the regional ecosystem in North Rhine-Westphalia and the cluster actors to support transformative activities and many starting points for cooperation were identified, for example in the areas of quantum technology, hydrogen technology and the circular economy.
On the second and final day, the event was rounded off with a factory tour at Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg on the topic of “Changing Steel”. During this tour, the previously discussed transformation processes were made tangible through the decarbonization of steel production processes and the planned use of renewable hydrogen.
Source: ECCP; MWIKE
