Every year, more and more multinational enterprises decide to invest in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to the ORBIS Europe company database, more than 24,000 foreign companies have already established business operations in NRW. This equates to one fifth of all multinational enterprises in Germany as a whole. Here you can find an overview of the multinational enterprises in NRW.
e.g. Bassell Polyolefine GmbH, Gazelle, Picnic FCA, Primagas Energie, Refresco Deutschland, Seacon Logistics, Suntjens Süsswaren, 247 TailorSteel
e.g. Geberit Keramik, Lindt & Sprüngli, Lonza, Odlo Logistik, Oerlikon, Rolex
e.g. BP, Computacenter, Dyson, Lush, Vodafone
e.g. 3M, Amazon, Electronic Arts, FedEx, Ford, Medtronic, Microsoft, QVC, UPS
e.g. Air Liquide, Bonduelle, Decathlon, L‘Oréal, Peugeot, Renault, Saint Gobain Rigips, Teleperformance, Total
e.g. Efes Deutschland, Gökbora, Karaca Porzellan, Kässbohrer/Tirsan, Sarar, Tadim
e.g. Bank of China, Huawei, Minmetals, Sany, XCMG, ZCC Cutting Tools, Xiaomi, ZTE
e.g. Benteler, Hasco Hasenclever, Müllers Mühle, Papstar, Strabag, Voestalpine
e.g. Barilla, Calzedonia Germany, Diesel Deutschland, Elettronica, R.D.M. Arnsberg, TX Logistik
e.g. Alps Electric, Asahi Kasei, Canon, Fujifilm, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Toshiba, Toyota
e.g. Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Ikea, SANDVIK Tooling Deutschland, Securitas
e.g. Amica International, Draftex Automotive, FLT-Wälzlager, Hoesch Design, Kronos
e.g. Arla Foods, Grundfos, ISS Facility Services, NKT, Only Stores Germany
e.g. BTN Baran Telecom Networks, Constab Polyolefin Addivtives, Calorplast Wärmetechnik, Diva Fashions, Polytex Technologies
e.g. Kemira, Metso, Outokumpu Nirosta, Stora Enso Paper, UPM Kymmene/Rhein Papier
e.g. Ashok Leyland, Bharat Forge, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel Germany, Wipro Business
e.g. Hydro Aluminium, MHWirth, Statkraft Markets, SuperOffice, Tomra Systems
e.g. Asus Computer, Benq Deutschland, QCG Computer
e.g. Kemira, Metso, Outokumpu Nirosta, Stora Enso Paper, UPM Kymmene/Rhein Papier
e.g. Bixolon, Clark Europe, CTR Europe, Doosan Lentjes, GigaTera EU, EH Med, Hwacheon Machinery Europe, Seegene Germany
* own investigation
Sources: ORBIS WORLD, Oktober 2025; NRW.Global Business GmbH
Alongside the many compelling economic and infrastructure-related arguments in favor of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW stands out on account of its cosmopolitan atmosphere and hospitality. Cultural diversity is a defining feature of NRW.
For example, Cologne has a broad-based Chinese infrastructure (medical professionals, service providers, schools etc.). Over the past 150 years of lively economic and cultural exchange with Japan, Europe’s third largest Japanese community has emerged in the city of Düsseldorf. Due to these favorable conditions, foreign investors feel at home in NRW, both culturally and economically.
The chemicals group LyondellBasell is promoting the circular economy in North Rhine-Westphalia through an ambitious recycling project. The company is building a chemical recycling plant based on its MoReTec technology in Wesseling, its largest European site. This technology can convert a wide variety of plastic waste into high-quality raw materials. The project is accompanied by the construction of a state-of-the-art sorting center at the Hürth site. Both projects are powered entirely by renewable energy and will enable a recycling rate of at least 80%. With a total investment of over 300 million euros, LyondellBasell is establishing North Rhine-Westphalia as a leading location for innovative plastic recycling in Europe.
The Estonian company Tactical Solutions has been producing freeze-dried specialty food for outdoor and crisis operations in Hilden since 2024. Originally developed for extreme situations, the process guarantees a shelf life of eight years while preserving the food's taste, structure and nutrients without the use of preservatives. The company is based in North Rhine-Westphalia and sells its products in 24 countries, supplying the military, aid organizations, schools and hospitals. Over 100,000 meals have also been provided to Ukraine. More than 30 jobs have been created at the Hilden site. Through energy-efficient production and significant social benefits, Tactical Solutions is making an important contribution to sustainable supply and resilience.
Headquartered in Istanbul, Laser ISSE specializes in sophisticated industrial laser applications for over 20 sectors of industry, including cutting, welding, engraving and laser cleaning. By establishing a European branch in Duisburg in 2023 and setting up its own sales, development and service structure, Laser ISSE is clearly signaling its commitment to North Rhine-Westphalia as a production location. Laser ISSE manages its growing European business from Duisburg. With robotics, intelligent control systems and its own laser laboratory, Laser ISSE is strengthening industrial transformation and research on the ground. The site will expand in the future to include the Research & Development department.