Regional clusters
The region is the main industrial area of Spain, with a tradition of heavy industries highly concentrated and relevant at national and EU levels. Steelmaking, foundries, automotive, as well as pulp and paper, refining, and cement clusters are among the most notable sectors.
Population: 2.2 million
GDP per capita: €39,641
Employment in key industries:
- Basic metals: 17,308
- Other metals: 39,505
- Chemicals: 3,911
- Rubber & plastics: 12,558
- Pulp & paper: 3,440
- Minerals: 3,683
The Port of Rotterdam is the largest sea port in Europe. It also hosts one of the largest petrochemical clusters in Europe. In the future, new industrial clusters might form around energy technologies including, for example, carbon capture and storage.
Population: 3.8 million
GDP per capita: €57,048
Employment in key industries:
- Basic metals: Confidential
- Other metals: 13,460
- Chemicals: 10,028
- Rubber & plastics: 2,173
- Pulp & paper: Confidential
- Minerals: 1,918
The area is a key industrial powerhouse of Germany. The industrial landscape is highly diversified and competitive. Major industrial clusters include steel industry, chemical industry, and automotive industries as well as rubber & plastic, base metals, and others.
Population: 9.7 million
GDP per capita: €51,078
Employment in key industries:
- Basic metals: 51,522
- Other metals: 83,889
- Chemicals: 76,328
- Rubber & plastics: 35,237
- Pulp & paper: 14,617
- Minerals: 14,796
After Warsaw, Silesia is the second most important industrial centre of Poland. Historically it is a coal mining region, but in recent years the economic structure has diversified. It now includes clusters for iron and steel, automotive industry, and energy technologies.
Population: 4.3 million
GDP per capita: €20,990
Employment in key industries:
- Basic metals: 23,336
- Other metals: 56,721
- Chemicals: 8,333
- Rubber & plastics: 44,078
- Pulp & paper: 4,479
- Minerals: 20,936
