Clean Tech Manufacturing Opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe

Industry Investment Rating - The report highlights significant investment opportunities in clean tech manufacturing across Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania, driven by EU policies aimed at onshoring clean tech production [3][10] Core Viewpoints - The EU's Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) targets sourcing at least 40% of net-zero technologies domestically by 2030, creating opportunities for Central and Eastern European countries to expand production in key clean tech value chains such as electric vehicle batteries, solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, heat pumps, and electrolyzers [3][8] - Poland stands out with the highest export potential and investment requirements in absolute terms, while Bulgaria and Croatia show greater potential relative to their economic size [3][10] - The wind energy value chain offers the most onshoring opportunities, while the electrolyzer value chain presents the fewest [29] Methodology Summary - The analysis uses a five-step framework to identify onshoring potential, including sector filtering, indicator development, composite index creation, export projections, and investment projections [11][12] - Key indicators include demand factors (e.g., EU reliance on non-EU inputs), supply factors (e.g., export competitiveness), and market access ease (e.g., logistics performance) [14][15][16] - A composite Onshoring Attractiveness (OA) index is created using Principal Component Analysis, categorizing opportunities into low, medium, and high attractiveness [23][24] Export and Investment Projections - Under the NZIA scenario, clean tech exports from the 4CEE countries to the EU27 are projected to quintuple by 2030, with Poland capturing 60% of additional exports [43][46] - Investment needs to meet export projections range from $1 billion in Bulgaria, Croatia, and Romania to $5 billion in Poland, with EV battery manufacturing requiring the largest share of investments [55][57] - Clean tech exports are expected to contribute 1.2% to 3.7% of GDP in the 4CEE countries by 2030, with Croatia leading in relative terms [44][57] Policy Implications - Poland is well-positioned to onshore clean tech production, but challenges include labor force upskilling and declining working-age populations [61] - Fiscal constraints in 4CEE countries limit the use of industrial subsidies, necessitating broader policy interventions beyond subsidies to achieve industrial goals [62][63]