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Net Zero Valleys at EXPO REAL 2026: Four regions are working together to shape the climate-neutral industry of tomorrow
How can regions pool their strengths, accelerate investment in net-zero technologies and create new industrial value? These questions were the focus of the joint presentation by Schleswig-Holstein, the Rhineland mining region, Lusatia and north-west Lower Saxony at EXPO REAL 2026 in Munich.
The discussion clearly demonstrated that the transition to a climate-neutral industry is best achieved through collaboration, and EXPO REAL 2026 in Munich provided the setting for an in-depth discussion on the future of industrial transformation in Germany. The four German Net Zero Valleys – Schleswig-Holstein, the Rhineland Mining Region, Lusatia and North-West Lower Saxony – presented themselves jointly to highlight their potential as pioneering regions for climate-neutral industry and innovative energy solutions.
The focus was on the shared question of how regional strengths can be strategically linked to promote investment in net-zero technologies and establish new industrial value chains. It became clear that whilst the challenges of the transition are considerable, the opportunities for businesses, investors and regions are equally significant.
A particular highlight of the trade fair appearance was the panel discussion ‘From Valley to Value’. On behalf of Schleswig-Holstein, State Secretary Julia Carstens contributed important insights to the discussion and emphasised the central role of the regions in implementing the energy transition and developing sustainable industrial locations.
The joint presentation by the four Net Zero Valleys made it clear that successful transformation thrives on collaboration. The exchange of experiences, expertise and best practices opens up new prospects for attracting innovative companies, scaling up climate-friendly technologies and developing resilient value chains.
For Clean Energy Valley Schleswig-Holstein, EXPO REAL 2026 also served as an important platform for showcasing the region’s strengths and forging new links with investors, companies and partners. The numerous discussions and meetings demonstrated that interest in the potential of this North German energy transition region remains as high as ever.
Armed with plenty of fresh ideas and backed by a strong network, the participating regions are continuing on their shared path. The goal remains clear: to actively shape the industry of tomorrow and translate the opportunities presented by the transition into sustainable value creation, innovation and employment.
Source: Clean Energy Valley Schleswig-Holstein
📷 © Marc Blome
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