Industrial Biotechnology

• doubling revenue of 23.8 million Euro (2005) to 50.4 million Euro (2007) through 38 core industrial biotechnology companies
• 91 major companies (pharmaceutical, chemistry, agricultural) are dealing with industrial biotechnology
• 29,600 employees in biotechnology; around 3,000 employees (10%) in industrial biotechnology
• 44% of European small and medium-sized companies active in industrial biotechnology are located in Germany (Europe's Nº 1)
• 1/3 of all patents registered in the field of industrial biotechnology in the EU-25 region are from Germany

MARKET - Germany's well-established industrial biotechnology sector enjoys enormous market potential thanks to its widespread application in a number of industries (e.g., agriculture, paper, beverages, textiles, and pharmaceuticals). The country's strong chemical industry (2007 sales of 174 billion Euro making it Europe's number one) is playing a major role in concentrating industrial biotechnology resources by reducing energy and waste levels. For this reason, industrial biotechnology turnover within the German chemical industry is expected to annually grow by 10 percent through 2015 - compared to just 3 percent annual growth for the overall chemical industry in the same period. 

RESEARCH - Industrial biotechnology clusters form a network made up of the chemical industry, biotechnology start-ups, scientific institutes, customer industries and investors which spreads right across Germany. The clusters initiate R&D biotechnology projects which help strengthen both market and academic institute competitiveness. Since 2007/2008, research, industry and SME partnership funding of 60 million Euro has been made available through public funding initiatives like the BMBF BioIndustry 2021 Cluster Competition. Industrial biotechnology clusters are built so that industrial partners and joint ventures alike can easily establish their different operational activities. 

PRODUCTION - Chemical parks are strategically managed and integrated production parks that adhere to the "plug and play" principle. Germany's modern chemical parks concept is internationally unique in offering an excellent pool of services: take advantage of readily available raw materials, technological plant, integration, safety, and social facilities. They also offer your company a high-profile infrastructure, logistics know-how and service solutions tailor-made to your needs so you can concentrate on your core industrial biotechnology business.

COOPERATIONS WITH GERMAN CHEMICAL COMPANIES - Industrial biotechnology has already established itself in three of six chemical market segments. A fourth market segment, polymers, with turnover of around 46 billion Euro forecast is currently in development. A number of German chemical companies have initiated partnerships with universities and industrial biotechnology clusters to accelerate their R&D progress. Germany is also home to a number of industrial biotechnology cooperations between German and foreign companies. Besides the innovative environment afforded by such cooperations, foreign companies also profit from Germany's world champion export position (995 billion Euro in 2008) and the presence of existing worldwide trade partners.

TAXES - By combining flexibility and simplicity with moderate tax rates, Germany has developed one of the most competitive tax systems in the world. The average overall tax burden for corporate companies is just below 30 percent (with certain local municipalities offering even significantly lower rates of 22 percent), making Germany an attractive location for international business.

STABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT - Social, economic, and political stability provide a solid base for your corporate projects. Our judiciary and civil services are highly professional. Contractual agreements are secure, and intellectual property is strictly protected in Germany.