Combining economy with sustainability: The Ruhr Metropolis wants to set standards in ecological transformation and has set itself the goal of becoming the greenest industrial region in the world.
The Ruhr area is already strong in innovations for transformation: According to a study by the Wuppertal Institute from 2021, for example, the Ruhr metropolis is a leader in geothermal energy and hydrogen technology and therefore has good conditions for sustainable business.
In addition, 80,000 trainees and 260,000 students at a total of 22 universities and over 60 non-university research institutions form a pool of highly qualified specialists for the change in the region.
The industrial core is the basis of the transformation: E.ON, RWE, Thyssen-Krupp and Vonovia, four DAX companies are among the 160,000 companies and hidden champions in the region, some of them world-famous. They employ a total of around 320,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions.
Numerous new start-ups are driving growth in future-oriented economic sectors: According to the Ruhr 2020 economic report, over 1,000 more companies work in the healthcare and energy sectors today than in 2010.
Companies that are active in lead markets have a particularly large number of employees: These include health (353,000), urban living and construction (206,000) and mobility (185,000). In addition, sales growth in the lead market of digital communication is eleven percent.
The ambitious goal of becoming the “greenest industrial region in the world” is being given a boost by the “Green Infrastructure 2030” offensive. This initiative will further expand the network of green and open spaces in the Ruhr area. In keeping with this, the Ruhr Metropolis is organizing the first decentralized International Garden Exhibition (IGA) in 2027 with a total investment volume of 84 million euros.
The Business Metropole Ruhr (BMR) acts as a contact for companies and investors and publishes, among other things, the Ruhr Economic Report every year.
The subsidiary of the Ruhr Regional Association (RVR) develops and markets the region as a service provider and source of inspiration for its four districts and eleven cities. In addition to regional economic development and regional location marketing, internationalization is one of the BMR's main tasks.
As a planner, designer and moderator, the RVR is the anchor of the region. Its Ruhr Parliament was directly elected by the citizens of the Ruhr area for the first time in 2020.
