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: €32,900
Employment in key industries:
- Base metals: 16,549
- Automotive: 13,662
- Rubber & plastics: 12,617
- Chemicals: 4,300
- Non-metallic minerals: 4,000
- Pulp & paper: 3,650
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: 3.7 million
GDP per capita: €47,800
Employment in key industries:
- Electrical equipment: 13,964
- Chemicals: 9,370
- Refining: 4,094
- Rubber & plastics: 2,282
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: €44,000
Employment in key industries:
- Chemicals: 79,000
- Basic metals: 59,267
- Automotive: 51,348
- Rubber & plastic: 36,424
- Electrical equipment: 33,000
- Non-metallic minerals: 16,500
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: 4.5 million
GDP per capita: €15,400
Employment in key industries:
- Automotive: 60,897
- Rubber & plastics: 38,904
- Base metals: 22,380
- Non-metallic minerals: 20,179
- Electrical equipment: 19,533
- Chemicals: 8,660
