INNOVATION

And the basis for all of this is people: With nine colleges and universities and around 75,000 students, Münsterland has an impressive talent pipeline for the innovations of tomorrow. The next generation of specialists and managers is growing up here - internationally oriented, highly trained and ready to bring together research, technology and entrepreneurship. For investors, this means access to a dynamic labor market with young talent and highly qualified specialists.

The region takes a holistic approach to innovation - as a joint task for science, business, society and the public sector. The result: a reliable, dynamic environment for investors who want to invest in excellent minds, pioneering technologies and sustainable business models.

The Münsterland is ready - for your ideas, your business, your future.

Münsterland is a key location for battery technology in Europe - with BatteryCity Münster as an internationally visible beacon for research, pilot production and technology transfer.

the region offers a highly developed battery ecosystem: the MEET battery research center, the University of Münster and the FFB battery cell research production facility. A pilot-scale production environment is already available today with the FFB PreFab, while the FFB Fab, one of the largest research and demonstration factories in Europe, will be operational from 2027

The research focuses cover all relevant fields of innovation in battery development:

• Materials research: development of new anode, cathode and electrolyte materials

• Cell technology: optimization of lithium-ion cells, development of solid-state batteries

• Production systems: Scalable production technologies, automation, process optimization

• Analytics &

Münsterland is positioning itself as one of the leading model regions for the circular economy in Germany. Here, the circular economy is not only conceived, but also implemented - with projects, networks and infrastructures that set standards throughout Europe.

One key example is the "Circular Economy Region Münsterland" project, which strategically brings together stakeholders from business, science and administration. The aim is to systematically develop the region into a circular economy region - with cross-sectoral approaches and a high level of practical relevance.

Key areas of innovation include bio-based materials, circular product design, digital material flow analyses and regional recycling models. The region brings pilot projects into application, tests industrial real laboratories and creates ideal conditions for cooperation and market entry with open network structures.

Research institutions such as Münster University of Applied Sciences and application-oriented initiatives provide sound expertise - for example in the areas of bioeconomy, packaging recycling, building cycles and food waste recycling.

The environment is highly attractive for investors: political objectives at EU level (Green Deal, Ecodesign Regulation), economic necessity and social pressure are driving change - Münsterland provides the right platform with project maturity, funding and strategic orientation.

The circular economy in Münsterland means investing in future-proof business models, scalability from day one and an innovation-friendly environment with real practical relevance.

The energy transition is being implemented in Münsterland - with determination, regionally and open to technology. The region is one of the leading locations for renewable energies in Germany and combines a high generation density with fast-growing markets.

Particular strengths lie in the areas of wind energy, bioenergy and photovoltaics. In addition, green hydrogen, sector coupling and digital energy management systems are becoming increasingly important. Companies from the fields of mechanical engineering, plant engineering, software development and energy consulting find an innovation-friendly environment with high market proximity here.

The region has extensive land potential, well-developed infrastructure and a high level of social acceptance for energy projects. Projects such as hydrogen networks, heating networks or biogenic waste recycling are not created here on paper, but in the real laboratory.

For investors, Münsterland offers access to a rapidly growing market, reliable framework conditions and competent partners along the entire value chain.

Münsterland is a powerful location for digital financial solutions that combine reliability, efficiency and innovation. FinTech solutions with real practical benefits are not only planned here, but also implemented in banking processes, apps and services.

Key players such as Finanz Informatik and Atruvia AG make the difference:

• Finanz Informatik operates one of the largest distributed banking data centers in the country, provides one of Germany's most successful banking apps, the Sparkassen app, and actively works on topics such as cyber security, big data and data analytics.

• Atruvia AG offers comprehensive IT services for Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken: from core banking processes and data center operations to app development, with a focus on process optimization and regulatory security.

Further focal points in the Münsterland smart finance ecosystem are

• Development of secure banking applications

• Data-based analyses and optimization of internal processes

• Supporting banks in complying with regulatory requirements

• Innovations in service for end customers via digital channels

Smart finance in Münsterland means a robust financial IT landscape with proven production maturity, trustworthy partners and technologies that combine scaling and stability.

Platforms such as münsterLAND.digital connect companies with IT service providers, research institutions and public innovation partners. This is complemented by real-world laboratories, co-working spaces and open-technology test environments.

Smart finance in Münsterland means: digital solutions with a practical focus, regional implementation strength and reliable partnerships for sustainable business models.

Münsterland is one of the leading agribusiness regions in Europe. The agriculture and food industry of tomorrow is being created here - technology-driven, sustainable and with a clear international focus.

clusters and networks such as the Münsterland ecomodel region or the Münsterland Netzwerk Qualität e. V. combine forces along the entire value chain. They create cooperation platforms for companies, research institutions and investors - and ensure that innovations from the region are quickly put into practice.

Research and training at institutions such as Münster University of Applied Sciences with its FoodLab and the Department of Oecotrophology provide scientific excellence, practical development and highly qualified specialists.

The agrobusiness Münsterland focuses on clear priorities:

• Robotics and AI in agriculture

• Smart farming technologies & precision landscapes

• Alternative protein sources

• Ecological and regional food production

• Circular economy using biogenic residues

• Development of sustainable biostimulants

Agrobusiness in Münsterland means investing in a region with strong clusters, powerful research, and high innovation density. The combination of sustainability, digitalization, and value creation makes the region an ideal location for international investments in the agriculture and food industry of the future.

Health is one of the world's largest growth markets - and Münsterland is a hotspot for health innovations in Europe. The region combines cutting-edge research, efficient healthcare systems and a strong network of companies, start-ups and science. The result: a unique ecosystem that offers investors access to dynamic markets and future-oriented technologies.

At the center is the Netzwerk Gesundheitswirtschaft Münsterland e. V., which systematically brings together players from medicine, research and business. This network ensures short distances, strong cooperation and rapid implementation of innovations.

The fields of activity in the Münsterland healthcare ecosystem are clearly defined and investor-friendly:

• Prevention as a market - investments in health promotion and prevention services

• AI-supported diagnosis and therapy - use of data, machine learning and imaging in medicine

• Remote monitoring and management of chronic diseases - digital tools for patients and doctors

• Healthy nutrition - research, products and prevention as a growth segment

• Smart aging - technologies and services for an ageing society

• 360-degree health region - networked approaches that combine prevention, diagnostics and care

The scientific excellence is internationally visible:

• The University of Münster with its Faculty of Medicine, the European Institute for Molecular Imaging (EIMI) and the Medical Machine Learning Lab is one of the top locations for medical research and AI in medicine.

• The Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine delivers world-class research.

• Münster University of Applied Sciences produces practical innovations in healthy nutrition and prevention.

• Centech is a competence center that accelerates medtech and e-health solutions.

The healthcare industry in Münsterland means investing in a strong, networked ecosystem that combines science, practice and business - and thus creates the basis for international market success in the healthcare sector.

In Münsterland, Industry 4.0 is not a vision – it’s already reality. Regional clusters, innovative institutes, and a strong network make smart production systems a true competitive advantage for international investors.

Clusters & networks like the Digital Hub MünsterLAND specifically target Smart Industry, Industrial IoT, and AI applications in industrial value creation. The affiliated FabLab Münster provides space for prototyping, testing, and rapid product development.

Research & technical expertise are deeply embedded:

• FH Münster – Industry 4.0 Model Factory and the Laboratory for Robotics and Control Engineering drive applied research in digital manufacturing, automation, and robotics.

• Faculties such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science ensure technical excellence and supply highly skilled professionals.

• Laboratories in Machine Tools and Manufacturing Technology model, automate, and optimize production chains.

Key focus areas – exactly what international partners are looking for:

• Digital production control & Smart Factory

• Automation & robotics

• Predictive maintenance & process optimization

• 3D digital twin technologies

• Data integration into production processes

Smart production systems in Münsterland mean: investing in a region where production processes are digital, automated, and data-driven. The conditions are set for new product and manufacturing technologies to quickly enter industrial application and compete globally.