Confirmed figures for the first time: Investments in BESSY are worthwhile for Berlin and Germany

An impact analysis by DIW Econ demonstrates the scientific and economic value of BESSY II. Every euro invested yields three euros for Germany and as much as ten euros for the State of Berlin. Furthermore, the study provides an economic forecast for the construction of BESSY III.
The impact analysis was presented on 3 September 2026 to Dr Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research in the Berlin Senate. He supports the investment and is a strong advocate for BESSY III.

Since 1998, HZB has been operating BESSY II light source at the Berlin-Adlershof Technology Park. Every year, it attracts an average of 2,700 visits from national and international researchers who analyse electronic structures and reactions in materials here. They are working on climate-friendly energy technologies and laying the foundations for new medicines or data storage solutions.

But what, specifically, does BESSY II bring to Germany and Berlin?  And what are the prospects for its successor, BESSY III?

Experts from the consultancy subsidiary of the German Institute for Economic Research Berlin (DIW Econ GmbH) have examined these questions over a representative period from 2010 to 2022. The study considers economic effects such as gross value added, employment and public revenue in Germany and Berlin (demand-side effects). The generation of new scientific findings, the development of skilled workers and spillover effects in businesses are also taken into account (supply-side effects). Case studies of companies that have benefited significantly from BESSY II, either as suppliers or users, were also analysed.

The findings of the impact study: BESSY II pays for itself; BESSY III is already worthwhile whilst under construction

·       For every euro invested by the City of Berlin, BESSY returns ten times that amount.

Between 2010 and 2022, the State of Berlin invested €58 million in BESSY II. This triggered gross value added of around €600 million in Berlin – ten times the amount of state funding invested.

The core funding of around €600 million provided jointly by the federal and state governments for BESSY II generates gross value added of around €1 billion in Germany. The macroeconomic impact across Germany (demand- and supply-side effects) is actually around three times the amount of public funds invested.

·       BESSY pays for itself.

The €58 million invested from state funds is offset by €60 million in tax revenue for Berlin (2010–2022). BESSY II pays for itself for Berlin through tax revenue alone.

·       BESSY III is already worthwhile whilst under construction.

The estimated inflation-adjusted (2020 prices) construction costs of around €900 million will be fully converted into gross value added, of which €300 million will remain in Berlin. The construction of BESSY III will create over 1,600 jobs across Germany at its peak, 600 of which will be in Berlin. These positive effects will continue into the operational phase. Experts at DIW Econ forecast annual gross value added of €91 million from BESSY III. In addition, more than 900 jobs will be secured in Germany.

·       BESSY is shaping Berlin’s ecosystem for high-tech and talent.

The facility is closely linked to Berlin’s universities and research institutions; it is a key partner for the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB, Germany’s national metrology institute) and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). Thanks to BESSY, these organisations can carry out their research on their own beamlines and thus fulfil their systemically important remit. For example, the PTB supports the global market leaders ASML and Zeiss SMT in the further development of their EUV lithography systems.
Furthermore, local suppliers such as FMB have grown into specialist providers in high demand internationally.

“BESSY II stands for cutting-edge research made in Berlin. We want to build on this success story. That is why we are committed with determination and passion to the BESSY III project for the future. BESSY stands for scientific excellence and international influence – for Berlin and Germany. Every year, thousands of researchers from Germany and abroad come to Adlershof to work here on new materials, active substances and technologies. At the same time, BESSY is a key driver of innovation for the economy. The impact analysis published today impressively demonstrates the significance of Berlin’s electron storage ring for science and, beyond that, for industry, high-tech and value creation. We want to build on this strength and further advance Berlin as a centre for international cutting-edge research,” emphasises Dr Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research in the Berlin Senate.

“The impact analysis demonstrates the significant social and economic benefits of BESSY II. We want not only to preserve this expertise in Germany, but also to take it to a new level using latest technology.
To ensure that science and industry continue to have access to state-of-the-art analytical methods in the future, we are building BESSY III, a successor facility, in Berlin-Adlershof. For this, we need broad support from politics and society,” says Prof. Bernd Rech, Scientific Director of HZB.