North Rhine-Westphalia Businesses Accelerate AI Adoption with Bayer and Covestro Leading the Way

Businesses in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) are markedly increasing their use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, positioning the region as a European frontrunner in AI adoption. According to recent state statistics, companies in NRW are integrating AI to enhance operational efficiency and innovation across various sectors.

Leverkusen-based firms Bayer and Covestro exemplify this digital transformation. Bayer leverages AI primarily in pharmaceutical research to identify molecules for new drugs, while also applying AI technologies in agriculture and radiology. The company stresses that AI serves to support employees, not replace them, and has already noted operational improvements owing to AI integration.

Covestro, a major plastics manufacturer operating within the Leverkusen Chempark, is moving towards fully AI-controlled processes. This encompasses customer order management, production, and logistics, reflecting a deep commitment to embedding AI throughout its operational workflow.

This surge in AI adoption is supported by broader digital infrastructure developments in NRW. In 2025, 68.8% of companies in NRW with fixed internet connections benefited from high-speed internet (100 MBit/s or more), an enabler for AI and cloud-based applications. Additionally, 95.1% of companies had fixed internet connections, while 55.1% of larger companies subscribed to paid cloud computing services, a notable increase from the previous year.

The adoption of digital solutions also extends to environmental efforts: 24.1% of companies employed IT systems to reduce energy consumption and 16.1% used digital technologies to cut material use or enhance recycling.

These developments underline NRW's status as a leader in AI and digital transformation among German and European businesses, facilitating both innovation and sustainability.