Green tech innovation cluster – why Leipzig is the ideal location for conferences and congresses

Conserving resources, reducing waste and thinking in circular systems – green tech stands for technologies and innovations that protect the climate and environment while promoting a sustainable economy. Leipzig is steadily positioning itself as a leading green tech hub in Germany. The city actively supports technologies for climate neutrality, resource efficiency and the circular economy, all the while pursuing a clear objective: to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 – ahead of both Germany and the EU. As part of the EU mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities”, Leipzig is developing practical, scalable solutions designed to serve as models for other cities.
 
For conference and event planners, this means one thing above all: in Leipzig, green tech is already a lived reality rather than a future vision. The innovation cluster brings together municipal stakeholders, established companies, start-ups and research institutions to form a high-performing ecosystem – creating ideal conditions for congresses that combine intellectual depth with practical relevance.

Leipziger Stadtwerke: Large-scale projects for climate-neutral heat supply

Leipziger Stadtwerke, the city’s municipal energy utility, is setting new standards in climate-friendly urban energy supply through major green tech projects. These include Germany’s most powerful solar thermal plant, innovative systems that harness previously unused industrial waste heat for district heating, and one of the world’s lowest-emission gas turbine power plants – designed with the long-term capability to operate on green hydrogen. Innovative projects like these lend themselves as best-practice examples for technical excursions, specialist presentations and insight sharing with industry experts – adding tangible value to conferences in Leipzig with a green tech focus.

 

Expertise from Leipzig: Green hydrogen for industry

Across Leipzig, companies are actively implementing new solutions for a more sustainable economy. Gas group VNG is advancing the production of green hydrogen, widely regarded as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Near Leipzig, VNG is operating a pilot electrolyser designed to produce green hydrogen using electricity generated by directly connected wind turbines. In parallel, the Leipzig-based transmission system operator ONTRAS is upgrading existing fossil energy infrastructure to make it compatible with climate-neutral alternatives.
 

From Leipzig to the world: Global players in green tech

International companies are also choosing Leipzig as a base for developing green tech innovations. Siemens has opened an innovation centre in Leipzig, where it is developing technologies for sustainable energy distribution. Leipzig is also home to the European Energy Exchange (EEX), one of Europe’s leading energy exchanges. The EEX is widely regarded as a pioneer of the energy transition and decarbonisation, helping to advance the integration of renewable energy sources. Since 2023, the EEX has published HYDRIX, the first market-based price index for green hydrogen. Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action uses HYDRIX as a reference for its climate protection contracts, which are intended to accelerate the deployment of green technologies.

Welcome to Leipzig – an attractive environment for green tech start-ups

Young, technology-driven companies play a key role in Leipzig’s innovation ecosystem. FiberFlow, a spin-off from Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK), has developed a mechanical process for separating fibre materials from textile waste, supplying high-purity raw materials to recycling companies. aevolopp is developing chemically recyclable and biodegradable plastics. ESTER Biotech, a spin-off from the University of Leipzig, focuses on recycling technologies for plastic packaging and advancing a sustainable circular economy. The company enaDyne GmbH is developing non-thermal plasma catalytic reactors that convert CO₂ into sustainable chemicals and e-fuels.
 
These start-ups highlight the breadth of innovative green tech ideas emerging in Leipzig. For organisers, they offer fresh impetus for green tech-focused events – contributing new perspectives as speakers or in your workshops. At the same time, site visits provide the opportunity to experience these technologies first-hand.