Project

German industry's potential – value creation, resilience and strategic advantages

In view of the growing geopolitical and structural challenges for the manufacturing industry in Germany, numerous questions arise for the future of German's industry. Against this background, the study aims to analyse the industrial location economically, taking into account the key findings on the decarbonisation of industry, and to further develop and specify the need for action for German industrial policy on this basis. The main focus of the study is on identifying comparative advantages and economic sectors that can make a significant contribution to Germany's economic strength today and/or in the future. In addition, attention is also drawn to areas that are fundamental to the strategic sovereignty of Germany and the EU.

Against the background of the challenging overall situation for Germany's industry, the study aims to

  • empirically analyse the existing strengths and future development opportunities for German industry with regard to sectors, topics, technologies and markets,
  • examine the opportunities and challenges for German industry arising from major societal developments (in particular digitalisation and decarbonisation),
  • identify those value chains that are particularly important for German industry and the German economy and should therefore be secured and strengthened as a matter of priority,
  • to identify the areas in which the maintenance of industrial capacities is desirable due to their importance for society, so that a certain degree of strategic independence and resilience is achieved,
  • to develop recommendations for action for industrial policy on how German industry can be strengthened and how its future development opportunities can be exploited,
  • reflecting on and refining the results of the analyses and recommendations for action in a stakeholder process.

  • Data-driven analyses
  • literature review
  • industry analyses
  • value chain analyses
  • simulation models
  • econometrics
  • expert interviews
  • scenario planning
  • foresight
  • workshops
  • stakeholder processes

Duration

12.2024-5.2026

Clients

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)

Partners

ZEW (Lead)

IAW (subcontractor)