International expansion and exports to Germany

Germany aims to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption to at least 80 per cent by 2030. On some days, renewable energy already meets the entire demand for electricity, while on others, fossil fuel-based power generation is still needed to stabilise the grid. This variation highlights one of the main challenges in Germany's energy transition: integrating large amounts of variable wind and solar power into a system originally designed for predictable baseload generation.

A key driver of this transformation is the rapid expansion of offshore wind, which Germany sees as crucial to its future energy supply. The North Sea and Baltic Sea offer ideal conditions, and Germany has ambitious plans that require extensive technology, services and solutions across the entire value chain. This includes maritime operations, grid connections, digitalisation and new port infrastructure—areas where Norwegian companies have traditionally been strong.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is increasingly being discussed in Germany as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions, particularly in industrial sectors where emissions are difficult to avoid. Although domestic storage is politically sensitive, interest in cross-border cooperation is growing, especially with countries such as Norway, which has geological storage capacity and extensive offshore expertise. This creates opportunities for bilateral industrial projects and long-term partnerships.

At the same time, Germany is positioning hydrogen as a cornerstone of its future energy system. Green hydrogen is expected to play an important role in decarbonising heavy industry, transport and parts of the heating sector. Domestic production alone will not meet demand, so Germany is actively seeking international partners and import solutions. Norway is considered a reliable partner for both blue and green hydrogen, given its energy resources, infrastructure expertise and strong maritime and offshore industries.

Germany's maritime sector is one of Europe's key industrial ecosystems and is undergoing a major transformation driven by climate action, digitalisation and the expansion of offshore energy. Shipyards, equipment suppliers, ports and service providers are investing in environmentally friendly vessel technologies, energy-efficient operations and digital maritime infrastructure.

This is creating strong demand for solutions in green shipping, alternative fuels, low-emission propulsion, vessel optimisation and autonomous or 'smart ship' systems. The rapid growth of offshore wind is also increasing the need for specialised vessels, subsea technology, maritime logistics and maintenance concepts. Opportunities also exist in maritime safety, port digitalisation, supply chain resilience and environmental monitoring. With strong expertise in offshore operations, vessel design, digital maritime services and green technologies, Norwegian companies are well positioned in Germany's increasingly sustainability-driven maritime market.

Germany is investing heavily in modernising its armed forces, creating strong demand for advanced technology across the maritime, air, land and cyber domains. Procurement cooperation between Norway and Germany provides a solid foundation for deeper industrial collaboration, offering Norwegian companies opportunities to supply components, systems and services to German prime contractors and participate in joint R&D programmes.

Germany's space industry is growing rapidly, driven by increasing political interest in strategic space capabilities and strong industrial investment. The market includes satellite manufacturing, Earth observation, navigation, launch services and 'new space' solutions such as microlaunchers and autonomous systems. As Germany seeks innovative European partners, Norwegian companies can contribute specialist expertise in small satellites, space-based maritime and Arctic surveillance, secure communications and ground infrastructure.

Germany is home to some of Europe's largest process industry clusters, spanning chemicals, advanced materials, industrial equipment, food production and high-tech manufacturing. These sectors are transforming rapidly in response to climate targets, high energy costs, pressure on supply chains and growing demand for efficient, digitalised and sustainable production.

The concept of 'Industry 4.0' is central to this development. German companies are investing heavily in advanced automation, sensors, predictive maintenance, robotics, digital twins and AI-driven process optimisation. Solutions that improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, optimise resource use and enhance traceability are in high demand—areas where Norwegian companies have a strong competitive edge.

Germany is one of Europe's largest healthcare markets. An ageing population and a shortage of healthcare professionals are driving demand for innovative solutions. There is strong interest in digital health technologies, telemedicine, AI-based diagnostics and sustainable medical equipment. Solutions in life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research are also in high demand.

Norwegian companies with expertise in secure platforms, sensor technology, robotics and e-health are well positioned to succeed. Technologies that improve efficiency, enhance patient safety and reduce the burden on healthcare professionals are in particularly high demand.

Policy initiatives such as the Hospital Future Act (Krankenhauszukunftsgesetz) and the introduction of electronic patient records are accelerating digitalisation. At the same time, there are clear requirements for data protection and seamless interoperability between systems. We support Norwegian companies in building networks, identifying the right partners and navigating regulatory frameworks and approval processes. Through dialogue with public authorities and institutions, we help open doors and create favourable conditions for Norwegian companies in the German healthcare market.

Germans are among the world's most frequent travellers, making competition for this target group fierce. German tourists generally have a strong interest in culture and want to relax on holiday. Those considering Norway are experienced travellers who expect good service, a wide range of easily accessible products and authentic encounters with local people.

The market has around 3,000 tour operators. We help Norwegian businesses connect with key customer groups: tour operators and agents, MICE agents and event agencies. Visit Norway provides detailed insights into the German market.

Germany is a key market for the creative industries and one of Europe's largest economies for culture and creative content. Literature, publishing, film, music, design, digital content and culinary experiences all play a significant economic role. Nordic design and Scandinavian aesthetics are highly popular, creating opportunities for Norwegian brands, designers and producers seeking visibility and partnerships in Germany's innovation-driven creative landscape.

The broader B2C market offers strong potential for Norwegian companies built on authenticity, quality, sustainability and niche positioning. German consumers respond well to products with a clear story, transparent origins and environmental responsibility. This applies across lifestyle products, outdoor equipment, wellness, digital consumer services and premium niche goods. Norwegian companies with strong brand values or innovative consumer solutions can find receptive audiences among Germany's large, diverse and trend-conscious consumer base.

Germany's food and drink market is worth more than EUR 200 billion annually, driven by demand for organic, natural, vegetarian, allergen-friendly and sustainably produced products. Norwegian products remain underrepresented, despite consumers strongly associating Norway with pristine nature and high-quality marine resources. This creates opportunities for differentiation and export growth. Strict food regulations can be challenging, but we support businesses with regulatory guidance and market access. Taking part in major industry events such as the Anuga trade fair also provides valuable exposure. In addition to Germany, we help businesses targeting the Austrian and Swiss markets, where similar consumer trends can support regional expansion.

German agriculture faces growing pressure from stricter EU pesticide regulations, rising sustainability requirements and the need to maintain yields while using fewer chemical inputs. Farmers and agricultural cooperatives are therefore increasingly looking for alternative technologies, including precision agriculture, sensor-based monitoring, biological crop protection solutions and digital decision-support systems. At the same time, labour shortages and cost pressures are accelerating demand for automation, robotics and resource-efficient equipment. These changes create significant opportunities for technology providers that can help

Norwegian agritech companies have relevant strengths in areas such as sensor technology, data-driven crop production, autonomous systems, controlled-environment solutions, sustainable inputs and digital platforms. Germany's wide range of farm sizes, strong agricultural machinery industry and extensive testing facilities make it an attractive market for rolling out new technologies and establishing industrial partnerships. The country also plays a key role in shaping EU agricultural standards, which means that successful partnerships in Germany can open the door to broader European scaling.