NRW.Global Business AWARD 2026: Minister Mona Neubaur honors companies from Japan, India, the U.S. and North Rhine-Westphalia for their international investments and successful market expansion
Cross-border business engagement is a key driver of growth, innovation and employment in North Rhine-Westphalia. Today, Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, and Felix Neugart, CEO of the state-owned trade and investment agency NRW.Global Business, are honoring four outstanding investment and market development projects with the NRW.Global Business AWARD 2026: the Japanese packaging specialist TRICOR Packaging & Logistics; the Indian software group ZOHO; the automotive supplier Aptiv, with roots in the U.S.; and agathon, the Essen-based global market leader in plastic molds for industrial food production. The award recognizes significant investments by international companies in North Rhine-Westphalia as well as successful internationalization projects by companies based in the region.
Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy: “Innovation arises when companies have the courage to break new ground and think beyond borders. This year's award winners exemplify that spirit: ranging from sustainable packaging solutions from Japan, digital innovations from India and mobility technologies from the U.S. to a ‘hidden champion’ from North Rhine-Westphalia achieving global success. With the NRW.Global Business AWARD, we honor this commitment as well as the companies that are helping to shape the future of our business location through smart investments, innovative strength and international collaboration. This is what innovation ‘made in NRW’ looks like.”
Felix Neugart, CEO NRW.Global Business: "International competitiveness is reflected above all in how open a location is to new ideas, technologies and partnerships. This year’s award winners are reaping the benefits: they are making long-term investments in North Rhine-Westphalia or successfully bringing innovations from the region to the world. The NRW.Global Business AWARD honors companies that bring this international exchange to life and highlights success stories with an impact that extends far beyond North Rhine-Westphalia.”
An overview of the award-winning companies in 2026:
agathon (NRW), Essen: agathon is a global market leader in innovative plastic molds for industrial food production, primarily supplying the international chocolate industry. With customers in over 50 countries across Europe, Asia and North America, the Essen-based company is one of the region’s “hidden champions” and exemplifies successful expansion into international growth markets. The construction of a new, highly automated production facility – representing an investment of approximately 20 million euros – underscores agathon's commitment to North Rhine-Westphalia as a global export hub. Energy-efficient production processes and recycling initiatives complement the company’s focus on sustainable business practices.
Aptiv (USA), Wuppertal: Aptiv was originally founded as a General Motors subsidiary in the U.S. The company develops technologies for the future of mobility, including driver-assistance systems, software-based vehicle architectures and solutions for electromobility and automated driving. With its European technology and development center in Wuppertal, Aptiv is a key driver of innovation in North Rhine-Westphalia's automotive and mobility industry. Its ongoing investments in research and development, as well as the recent expansion of its connector manufacturing facilities, underscore the company’s long-term commitment to the region and strengthen the state’s innovative capacity.
TRICOR Packaging & Logistics (Japan), Goch/Weeze: As part of the Japanese Rengo Group, TRICOR Packaging & Logistics is investing 170 million euros in one of Europe's most modern plants for heavy-duty corrugated cardboard. The Goch/Weeze site will create approximately 200 new jobs. The production facility combines modern manufacturing technologies with resource efficiency and sustainability. Through this investment, TRICOR is strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia's position as an industrial hub and increasing the capacity for sustainable packaging solutions in international trade.
ZOHO (India), Essen: The Indian software company ZOHO is one of the world’s leading providers of cloud-based business applications. ZOHO's solutions support companies in their digital transformation, collaboration and growth. With the opening of its German headquarters in Essen, ZOHO is expanding its presence in the German and European markets. Approximately 55 employees are based there and support companies in their digital transformation. ZOHO is also bringing future-oriented digital skills to North Rhine-Westphalia, thereby strengthening the range of innovative software solutions available to regional small and medium-sized businesses as well as international companies based in the region.
Photos of the winners and the awards ceremony will be available here starting September 8, 2026, at 10:00 am.