The race to become a state industrial park is underway, and it's not just about commercial land. It's about speed, visibility, and access to something you otherwise only get at airports and in the national budget: a red carpet. This year, the state will designate five industrial parks - and give them faster case processing, a single point of contact with authorities, and an official endorsement as a production hub.
This has sparked a race across the country. 14 locations have applied - from established industrial cities to peripheral municipalities with a new green profile. And the competition is fierce. Among the most notable bids is Lolland Municipality's vision to transform the tunnel element factory at Rødbyhavn into a new national industrial centre of gravity - and the joint project of Vordingborg and Næstved at Tappernøje and Bårse, right by the motorway and railway and close to the Femern connection.
Both point to strategic locations in the southern part of the country. Both have green electricity, space, and ambitions. But only five places will pass through the eye of the needle when the Danish Business Authority decides later this year where the red carpet will be rolled out - and where Denmark will strengthen its industrial future.
Being designated as a state industrial park is not just an honorary title. It is access to faster case processing, direct contact with the state, and a status that makes it easier to attract companies that might otherwise choose Poland, Germany - or another Danish municipality.
The industrial parks are reserved for manufacturing companies with ambitions, pace, and space requirements. The state reserves the area and rolls out the red carpet so that permits and approvals do not drag on for months. For the locations that are chosen, it can mean a significant boost in the competition for jobs, green technology, and investments.
What does it mean to get a 'red carpet'?
Municipalities with a state industrial park gain access to a special scheme with faster case processing and close contact with the state.
🔹 One point of contact with the authorities
Companies get a single point of contact, so they don't have to coordinate with multiple agencies themselves.
🔹 Faster permits
The municipality commits to short response times and smooth processing of building cases and environmental approvals.
🔹 The state can step in
If the municipality cannot keep up, the state can ultimately take over the case processing.
🔹 Only for manufacturing companies
The scheme only applies to areas designated as industrial parks - and only for companies with production, not storage and office.
The application deadline expired on 15 May 2025. The information comes from municipal press releases, council agendas, media coverage, and access to documents. A comprehensive overview from the Danish Business Authority is not yet available.
Rødbyhavn - Femern Port & Industrial Park
Lolland Municipality wants to transform the large tunnel element factory at Rødbyhavn into an industrial park focusing on green production and defence-related industry. The project draws on the existing infrastructure and port access close to the Femern connection. The area can be significantly expanded and is already planned in several phases.
Tappernøje/Bårse - Industrial Hub Zealand
Vordingborg and Næstved Municipalities have submitted a joint application with an area at Tappernøje and Bårse. Here, there are both motorway and railway tracks, and the location is strategic in relation to Femern and the rest of Zealand. The municipalities highlight the area's readiness and green potential.
Ringsted - Zealand Industrial Port
Ringsted Municipality will place the industrial park on 423 hectares between the town and the motorway, where a new combined terminal is also planned. The ambition is to create a hub for energy-intensive and transport-heavy production. The area is centrally located in Zealand with easy access to the rest of the country.
Holbæk - Regstrup and Jyderup
Holbæk Municipality proposes two business areas with existing development and a green profile. There is a railway nearby and companies with international interest in establishing themselves. The municipality highlights both location and clear readiness as its strongest points.
Kalundborg - Expansion of Industrial Cluster
Kalundborg Municipality wishes to expand its already strong industrial cluster with, among others, Novo Nordisk and Ørsted as neighbours. The area is known for green production and industrial symbiosis. It was here that the government presented the entire industrial park initiative in the autumn of 2024.
Odense Harbour (Lindø)
Odense and Kerteminde Municipalities are behind a bid based in the existing industrial area at Lindø. Here lies one of Europe's leading port and production environments for offshore wind and heavy industry. The area is already in use but can be significantly expanded.
Bredebro - Industrial Park Tønder
Tønder Municipality has identified 190 hectares south of Bredebro, where the area is ready and available. There is access to green electricity, railway, and motorway, and the municipality highlights the proximity to the northern German labour market. The project is intended as a boost for the entire region.
Give - Industrial Park in Vejle Municipality
Vejle Municipality proposes an industrial park at Give, where there is already a well-established business area. The location close to the motorway and railway makes the area attractive for both logistics and energy-intensive production. The municipality highlights local support and readiness for development.
Aalborg - Near Nordjyllandsværket
Aalborg Municipality offers a large area of 5 million square metres around Nordjyllandsværket. The area is connected to the port, motorway, and electricity supply and is targeted at Power-to-X and green technology. There are already concrete inquiries from interested companies.
Svoldrup Kær - Vesthimmerlands Energy Park
Vesthimmerlands Municipality has designated an area at Svoldrup Kær near Aars, where a large energy park is also planned. The industrial park is to be linked to hydrogen, biogas, and green electricity and serve as a test site for energy-intensive production. The municipality highlights the proximity to labour and education.
Kolding - Between Tankedalsvej and Vamdrup
Kolding Municipality has applied to turn a large belt of land between Tankedalsvej and Vamdrup into an industrial park aimed at environmentally heavy production. The location has access to the motorway, railway, and airport - and is close to the upcoming Hærvejsmotorvej. The municipality particularly highlights companies in environmental class 6 as the target group, such as those in chemistry, logistics, and waste.
Vejen - Vestermarksvej and Norgesvej
Vejen Municipality proposes designating 138 hectares of land west of the town for an industrial park. The area is close to the motorway and Energipark Revsing and is suitable for green production, including Power-to-X. The project is to be developed in stages and complement an upcoming logistics area.
Foulum - By AU and Agro Business Park
Viborg Municipality wants to place the industrial park by the research environment AU Foulum and the innovation environment Agro Business Park. There is already an interaction between companies and research in bioeconomy and food here. The project is supported by several neighbouring municipalities in East Jutland.
Skive - GreenLab
Skive Municipality has applied with GreenLab, an existing green industrial park with testing facilities and direct access to renewable energy. Here, energy symbiosis and new technologies are developed and demonstrated on a full scale. The municipality wishes to bring the area under the state industrial park scheme.
