And not just in isolation, but within powerful networks made up of producers, suppliers, service providers, skilled manual labourers and associated institutions. These clusters – regional agglomerations based on common interests and favourable local conditions forming a single supply chain – represent the great potential of Börde. One of the region’s exemplary clusters is MAHREG Automotive (an initiative of Sachsen-Anhalt Automotive e.V.), which has set itself the central goal of strengthening regional automotive suppliers and custom machine builders with a focus on the future of automobile construction. One of its objectives is to make the region a centre for development and manufacturing of lightweight vehicle components for alternative, energy-efficient drive systems. Long-term partnerships and skills in the automobile industry, particularly in the business fields drive technology, electro-mobility, lightweight construction and measurement and test engineering, are provided by the Institute for Competence in Automobility (IKAM GmbH), a business-oriented research institute with locations in Barleben and Magdeburg. In the same spirit, IFA ROTORION-Holding GmbH develops and produces high-quality hinges and shafts for the international automotive industry at its Haldensleben, Gardelegen and Irxleben sites. The company also carries out development services for the industry in the areas of drive technology and lightweight construction. The company’s innovations were awarded a prize in the Germany-wide competition “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” for their ecological research project “bioprop” – a carbon-neutral, recyclable, fibre composite cardan shaft made from hemp. Lightweight construction is a decisive factor for success today and Saxony-Anhalt is at the forefront in developing innovative products. In Wolmirstedt, for example, POLYTEC PLASTICS Germany GmbH & Co KG is a major producer and supplier of plastics and plastic components. The POLYTECH GROUP, an Austrian corporation, has a reputation as a leading developer and manufacturer of original accessories made from plastic and stainless steel; it also specialises in fibre-reinforced plastics and is a full-spectrum supplier of injection moulding. It’s hardly surprising that another relevant player, the Production Alliance for Polymer Development and Plastic Technology in Central Germany – Polykum e.V. – has taken it upon itself to expand knowledge, innovation and technology transfer and intensify cooperation, especially among small and medium-sized companies and with the scientific sector. The InnComposites innovation centre, together with the Centre for Fibre Composites and Lightweight Construction (ZFL) in Haldensleben, offer an ideal environment, especially for young companies in the industry. The outstanding of Börde soil is also, of course, fertile ground for clusters in other economic sectors. The foodstuffs industry – primarily made up of small and medium-sized businesses – is Saxony-Anhalt’s largest employer and strongest sector. This sector has given rise to the “Food industry network”, which concentrates on joint financing of research and development activities, export promotion, training, as well as publicity and cost-reduction projects (with an emphasis on energy, logistics and vehicle fleets). Network members include Colbitzer Heidebrauerei GmbH (brewery), Börde Käse GmbH (cheesemakers), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (Institute for Process Engineering) and the Agrarmarketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH (agrarian marketing).