GreenTech Atlas 2025: Next "Wirtschaftswunder" incoming?
German GreenTech is thriving–despite trade wars, economic turmoil, and regulatory setbacks.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) have presented the results of the GreenTech Atlas 2025, highlighting the importance of the GreenTech sector in Germany. Let’s have a closer look at the findings and what they mean.
What is GreenTech?
GreenTech is a cross-cutting sector. It connects various industries and creates innovative solutions for a sustainable future. The sector includes companies offering environmentally friendly and climate-friendly technologies and services such as renewable energy systems or energy efficiency technologies. Examples include air filtration systems or solar panel recycling technologies.
GreenTech made in Germany is growing
The German GreenTech sector is growing much faster than traditional industries:
7.5% of employees in Germany work in GreenTech.
3.4 million people were employed in the GreenTech sector in 2023 – about three times as many as in the automotive industry!
It contributes 9% to the country’s gross value added.
already 8.4% of all German exports come from GreenTech products.
In 2023, the gross value added of the GreenTech sector in Germany reached 314 billion euros, growing on average by almost 5% per year since 2010 – significantly more dynamic than the overall German economy.
Renewable energy systems, eco-friendly mobility, and energy efficiency have contributed the most to this development.
Patents: Germany and Europe Lead, but China Is Catching Up
Germany is among the leaders in GreenTech patents, particularly in renewable energy and eco-friendly mobility:
More than half of all GreenTech patents worldwide come from the USA, Japan, and Germany.
Europe remains the leader: about 40% of the world's GreenTech patents come from the top ten European countries.
However, China is catching up fast. Since 2010, the number of Chinese patent filings in the GreenTech sector has increased sixfold! I will analyze China’s cleantech rise in a future article.
GreenTech: Germany’s New Export Superpower
The global demand for German GreenTech products has risen steadily, especially in renewable energy, recycling, and mobility. In 2023, Germany exported GreenTech products worth 132 billion euros, accounting for more than 8% of total exports. Since 2019, GreenTech exports have been growing disproportionately compared to overall German exports.
The main export destinations are:
EU countries: 55%
US: 9.9%
China: 5%
GreenTech made in Germany: A bright future?
GreenTech growth has continued even during crises like COVID-19, inflation, and the Russian war on Ukraine. In recent years, German companies have developed key technologies in leading markets such as Siemens (recycling technologies), Linde (CO2 capture), and Enercon (wind energy).
Projections show that the gross value added of the GreenTech sector in Germany could exceed 620 billion euros by 2045. The global GreenTech market could grow by 30% with increased focus on climate neutrality and the circular economy.
Promising GreenTech markets are evolving all over the world.
This is the perfect time to expand trade networks, access new markets, and establish German GreenTech companies and solutions. By easing trade, building partnerships, and strengthening networks, Germany can compete globally and turn its innovations into sustainable economic success.
The way forward for Germany’s GreenTech sector
Germany and Europe need to uphold ambitious climate and environmental policies that also serve as an economic modernization and growth strategy. The Federal Government must take action at the EU level to further push for climate neutrality and a circular economy.
The climate neutrality and circular economy goals provide the sector with certainty and contribute to long-term economic stability.
Targeted support for GreenTech creates win-win situations: strengthening the economy, creating jobs, and protecting the environment and climate.
The future of Germany's GreenTech sector hinges on political support and regulatory consistency. Both are critical in the face of intensifying competition from China's rapidly growing GreenTech industry. Effective research funding, favourable conditions for startups, and close collaboration between private and public actors are essential.
Conclusion: GreenTech–the next German export miracle?
GreenTech has become an important part of the German economy, strengthening its competitiveness and resilience. It is clearer than ever: Focusing on environmentally friendly solutions is not just a necessity from a climate protection perspective, but the greatest economic opportunity for the coming decades.
Source: GreenTech Atlas 2025
“Helping great solutions make a great impact.”
If you need support with your GreenTech company's marketing and communication, feel free to contact me! I help both German and international companies position themselves in the German-speaking market. My services: Creative, conversion-driven copywriting and strategic communication advice.
Talk to you soon.
Lennard
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words materrr | Copwriting & Communication
