INDUSTRIES IN BLEKINGE

– A Thriving Hub for Innovation and Excellence

Blekinge, Sweden, is a region characterized by a dynamic and international business environment that is both modern and collaborative. Home to globally successful companies such as Volvo, Ericsson, SAAB, Tarkett and Roxtec, the region fosters an ecosystem where business and research institutions work closely together.

Blekinge stands out in key industries—Tech, Marine Technology, Forming Technology as well as Food and Tourism—where it has gained global recognition for innovation and expertise. With strong financial backing for research and development and a dedicated educational infrastructure at Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH), the region continues to drive technological advancements and industrial excellence.

Contact us today to explore business opportunities and industry collaboration in Blekinge!

Tech Industry

– A Legacy of Telecom Innovation

Over 30 years ago, Blekinge became the birthplace of the world’s first telecom cluster, pioneered by Ericsson and what is now Telenor. This initiative laid the foundation for a thriving ICT ecosystem, attracting major international players such as HiQ, CGI, and Sigma. The synergy between industry, academia, and public institutions has made Blekinge a model for innovation-driven growth in the tech industry.

GAMING CLUSTER

In Blekinge, you will find Gameport, one of Sweden’s gaming communities and incubator for gaming companies. Thanks to Blekinge Institute of Technology’s (BTH) gaming programs of Software Engineering in Games and Interactive Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, we also have well-known gaming start-ups from Blekinge, such as Tarsier, Thunderful and The Station and we also have the recently BAFTA-award-winning company Something We Made – just to name a few.

Join Blekinge – A Global Leader in Tech & Innovation

Contact us today to explore business opportunities and partnerships in Blekinge’s thriving tech industry.

Marine Technology

– 350 Years of Excellence

Blekinge’s marine technology expertise dates back to 1680 when King Karl XI founded Karlskrona as a naval stronghold. Today, the region remains at the forefront of naval and underwater technology, with SAAB Kockums operating one of the world’s most advanced shipyards. Through significant investments, Blekinge has become a global leader in submarine and vessel production.

Key players in Marine Technology

• SAAB Kockums: specializes in advanced naval production.
• NKT: A global leader in high voltage offshore cable production for the energy sector.
• Roxtec International: A pioneer in flexible cable and pipe sealing solutions for the marine industry.
• National Underwater Technology Center

With the Swedish Navy and Coast Guard headquartered in Blekinge, the region was a natural choice for the establishment of the National Underwater Technology Center (NUC). Inaugurated in 2018 by the Swedish Minister of Defence, NUC serves as Sweden’s hub for underwater research and innovation. BTH further supports the marine industry through its Master of Science program in Marine Technology, focusing on marine information systems and underwater technology.

Blekinge – A Global Hub for Marine Technology & Innovation

Contact us today to connect with industry experts and innovative companies in Blekinge!

Forming Technology

– Forming and Advanced Manufacturing

Blekinge has a long tradition of metalworking, dating back nearly 300 years to the establishment of its first ironworks. The region has since evolved into a hub for advanced manufacturing and forming technology, supplying critical body parts to automotive giants such as Volvo, Porsche, Audi, Ford, Land Rover and Aston Martin.

Automotive forming Cluster

The forming industry in Blekinge has thrived due to strong collaboration between public institutions, academia and the automotive sector. BTH supports the industry with specialized programs in mechanical engineering and industrial economics, ensuring a steady supply of highly skilled professionals. Research areas at BTH include:

• Simulation-driven product innovation
• Structural analysis of materials and constructions
• Dynamics of materials
• Applications of AI and Big Data in production efficiency

The region is also home to RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), which has strategically placed its office for material and production research in Blekinge, further cementing the region’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing.