GIP Events 2026
Innovation and Sustainability
: Freiburger Bierle is a success story. The Ganter Brewery has set a new course for growth with its first certified organic beer. After just one year, the new product is already generating 15% of beer sales. At the GIP workshop on 19 March 2026, we asked ourselves: How do new, innovative business models with a sustainable impact come about? In a refreshing and open-minded manner, Ganter CEO Detlef Frankenberger and Leonard Sporleder from the strategy and innovation team machn! reported on their collaboration between start-up culture and beer tradition.
21 hectares of the future
At the GIP Summit 2026 on 20 May, together with fwi and Freiburg-S-Wirtschaftsimmobilen GmbH, we were able to exclusively present the new Areal Nord industrial quarter. 140 guests gathered in the event marquee to take a proverbial peek over the construction fence. The site is transforming an industrial wasteland into a sustainable life sciences hub, setting new standards for industrially used areas. It combines a high quality of life with multimodal transport, plenty of green space and integrated nature and species conservation, whilst offering new economic opportunities.
AI from the GIP – From concept to application
24 June 2026, 4.30–7.00 pm
How can artificial intelligence specifically support collaboration within the Green Industry Park? The focus will be on the presentation of the newly developed GIP networking and collaboration tool, which will make exchanges between companies in the Green Industry Park more efficient in future. A digital marketplace will provide a space for your ideas, enquiries and practical tips, which can be found with the help of AI.
In addition, we will be showcasing further AI innovations from the GIP – including an insight into helpcode.ai from KOCH Freiburg. Participation in the event is free of charge for companies based in Freiburg.
GIP workshop at IKEA: 85% carbon neutrality achieved!
1 October 2026, 5–7 pm
Is sustainability facing headwinds? It certainly seems that way. Nevertheless, IKEA remains undeterred in its investment in the climate-friendly refurbishment of its Freiburg site: a large-scale heat pump, a car park solar array, and energy efficiency measures in the kitchen and restaurant.
The team from IKEA Freiburg and a representative from IKEA Germany will provide insights into the company’s strategy at the GIP workshop on 1 October and demonstrate how sustainability is put into practice in an innovative way in the company’s day-to-day operations. Afterwards, together with IKEA Freiburg, we invite you to join us for a chat and some networking over typical Swedish finger food.
Highlights from 2025
GIP on Tour 26 May 2025
A three-stop bus tour: Following a visit to Europe’s largest solar research centre (Fraunhofer ISE), located in the immediate vicinity of the Nord industrial estate, the tour continued to Endigen am Kaiserstuhl. On the premises of Eltroplan Engineering GmbH, an XL car park canopy with battery storage and charging infrastructure for cars and e-bikes was completed in 2022. Final stop: Ritter Elektrotechnik GmbH in the Haid industrial estate. The new company building is an architectural eye-catcher in timber construction. The innovative, curtain-wall PV façade (‘solar sail’) is well suited to commercial buildings. Incidentally, with 26,000 PV modules installed and a total installed capacity of almost 26 MWp, Ritter is one of the most experienced solar installers in the Freiburg area.
GIP Workshop: 5 Years of GIP Hochdorf
18 March 2025
The Hochdorf site has also been working towards climate neutrality for almost five years. A company-wide mobility app has been developed, and bike-share stations have been set up and co-funded. Together with the trade association and the business development agency, a clean-up event is organised once a year, in which the smaller family-run businesses in the area are also keen to take part. The problem of littering and street pollution has been tackled collectively. More than a dozen businesses have sought specialist advice, including on complex projects such as the implementation of energy-self-sufficient operations, the development of large-scale charging infrastructure, the expansion of existing solar PV systems, and the conversion to energy-efficient air-conditioning technology. A survey of the businesses revealed that social responsibility and climate protection, long-term cost reduction, as well as competitive advantages and corporate image, are the main motivators for participating in the GIP Hochdorf.
Visiting the neighbours: the frischebrüder
9 July 2025
Ensuring the right temperature is essential for a company that deals in food. In July, we visited Frischebrüder in the Nord industrial estate. The company delivers over 350 fruit and vegetable products fresh to customers, mostly from regional producers. Logistics and refrigeration have to be spot on. With its new building on Stübeweg, the Heizmann brothers’ company has set new standards in terms of refrigeration, control systems, and heat and cold recovery. We were able to experience all this during a tour of the company and explore it in more depth in discussions with experts.
Industrial and commercial estates are often ‘climate hotspots’. This also applies to the Green Industry Park Freiburg – with consequences for the health and working conditions of employees and the energy requirements of the businesses. The second part of the event focused on preparing for heavy rainfall events and learning about simple measures for climate adaptation and ensuring a healthy workplace environment.
Rethinking energy
12 November 2025
Topics such as waste heat utilisation, hydrogen technology and large-scale heat pumps are key components of a sustainable industrial heat supply. The possibilities and limitations of expanding the Badenova Wärmeplus waste heat network within the GIP were presented. The prospects for hydrogen in the region were also discussed, with current projects and initiatives in South Baden being highlighted. Christoph Armbruster presented badenova’s transformation consultancy service, which is particularly suited to companies with significant heating requirements. A discussion with business representatives focused on practical experiences with the use of geothermal energy and heat pumps.
Highlights from 2024
Anniversary: Celebrating 10 years of Green Industry Park Freiburg
A success story worth celebrating. Back in 2014, we worked together in engaging workshops to develop key objectives and measures to ensure the future viability of businesses in the city’s oldest and largest industrial area. In 2018, we were recognised for this innovative approach, which was unique in Germany at the time.
As part of the Nord industrial area, the companies have played a key role in enhancing the location’s appeal and reducing its carbon footprint. From small businesses and family-run enterprises to SMEs and large corporations – everyone has played their part.
Our motto over the past few years has been: “Working together for greater energy and resource efficiency”. Today, we are taking the next step towards a successful, climate-neutral economy. We know that this path comes with real challenges and new opportunities. Sustainable success is not a sprint, but a marathon. This makes it all the more important to pause for a moment, take a deep breath and celebrate our achievements together. We did just that on 10 October 2024 with over 100 guests from business, administration and politics at the Kreativpark Lokhalle in a fantastic atmosphere.
Past events
GIP North & GIP Hochdorf
- 12 April 2024: GIP on tour – Excursion to the Rothaus State Brewery
- 13 July 2023: GIP Summit “GIP Future Dialogue” – Programme
- 29 September 2022: Solar power from commercial rooftops – A visit to Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co.KG
- 11 July 2022: GIP Summit “Climate neutrality – using the example of SC Freiburg’s Europapark Stadium” – BadenTV Süd report
- 24 May 2022: Pathways to a climate-neutral business – IHK Südlicher Oberrhein and GIP Initiative
- 9 March 2022: “Green” hydrogen in the region – Invitation (digital)
- 8 December 2022: Gas crisis: How can I act as an entrepreneur? (online)
- 28 June 2021: Corporate Mobility Management – How do you become Germany’s most cycle-friendly company? – Invitation (digital)
Northern Industrial Estate
- 10 October 2024: GIP Summit. Mid-term review – 10 years of the Green Industry Park – photos
- 16 July 2024: Green walls, natural cooling, roof gardens with PV – bike tour “Climate adaptation at the GIP”
- 7 November 2023: Circular economy and resource efficiency – GIP visits the ASF: Programme
- 3 May 2023: Corporate sustainability strategy – GIP visits Alexander Bürkle – Invitation
- 17 November 2022: Saving energy and operating costs efficiently through facility management – GIP visits Sauter Deutschland – Invitation
- 20 September 2022: Staying mobile in the future – Mobility Forum at Freiburg Trade Fair
- 3 February 2021: Gas Shortage Situation and CO2 Levy (digital)
Hochdorf Industrial Estate
- 18 March 2025: GIP visits HEB Hydraulik Elementebau. First interim review: GIP Hochdorf
- 12 October 2023: GIP visits KOCH Freiburg: Heating, Cooling, Storage – Invitation
- 4 March 2021: Presentation of the climate protection sub-plan by the Freiburg Region Energy Agency – Invitation (digital)
- 19 November 2020: Evaluation workshop on climate protection measures in Hochdorf – Invitation (digital)
- 29 October 2019: Kick-off event for the Hochdorf climate protection sub-plan – Invitation
10 years of GIP
On 10 October 2024, over 100 guests from the worlds of business, society and politics celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Green Industry Park Freiburg and raised a glass to mark the achievements
Our events
To date, the GIP has organised well over 100 diverse events in a wide variety of formats. You can find the latest dates and a selection of past workshops, excursions, round-table discussions and GIP summit meetings here.
Where can I find what kind of advice?
Consultancy must be the right fit. For the business. For its history. For its potential and goals. One size fits all? That’s not how we do things here. The consultancy services we arrange are tailor-made and usually free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about the Green Industry Park?
Is there anything you’ve always wanted to know? Feel free to take a look at our FAQs for more information.
Contact details for Green Industry Park
If you have any questions about the Green Industry Park Freiburg, please feel free to contact:
Dirk Kron
Managing Director, Green Industry Park Freiburg
dirk.kron@freiburg.de
+49 761 201-6104
Your contact at FWTM Business Development is:
Tina Wegener
Business Services, Investor Relations & Commercial Land FWTM
tina.wegener@fwtm.de
+49 761 3881-1218
