Straubing Business Climate Index (STRANAX): Sustainability Between Implementation and RegulationTUM Report: Positive Business Climate in Straubing
Source: https://www.cs.tum.de/en/news/article/tum-report-positive-business-climate-in-straubing Parent: https://www.cs.tum.de/en/
2026-02-19 SEP, TUMCS
Straubing Business Climate Index (STRANAX): Sustainability Between Implementation and Regulation TUM Report: Positive Business Climate in Straubing
The Straubing Business Climate Index (STRANAX) reached its highest level to date in 2025. The results of the current survey indicate a significantly strengthened level of confidence among companies in the economic development of the Straubing location. Since 2023, STRANAX has been collected and analysed by Prof. Andreas Pondorfer of the TUM Campus Straubing (TUMCS) in cooperation with the Economic Development Department of the City of Straubing. The aim of the index is to systematically assess economic and sustainability-related developments at the municipal level and to identify long-term trends.
The assessment is based, among other factors, on developments in revenue, demand, order volumes and cost structures. Compared to the previous year, the business climate improved noticeably in 2025. In the short term, many companies expect stable economic conditions, while the share of positive assessments has continued to increase. Optimism also dominates the long-term outlook: more than half of the surveyed companies anticipate positive development of the Straubing business location over the next five years. This points to growing confidence in the region’s economic strength.
High energy prices remain a challenge
When compared with other regions in Bavaria, companies rate Straubing at a similar level, while at the same time identifying specific areas for improvement. In the nationwide comparison, the location is generally assessed more positively, whereas the European comparison is viewed more critically. Key challenges cited by companies include high energy prices, increasing regulatory requirements and competitive advantages enjoyed by other European regions.
Another focal point of STRANAX 2025 is sustainable business practices. Many companies in Straubing continue to implement sustainability measures, particularly in the areas of recycling, waste management and environmentally friendly mobility solutions. By contrast, internal training and awareness-raising activities as well as resource-efficient construction and renovation measures are less widespread. The decline in these activities should not be interpreted as a loss of importance of sustainability, but rather as an indication of rising investment, construction and financing costs.
In the national comparison, Straubing companies continue to rate their level of engagement in sustainability as average, while assessing it as above average in a European and international context. At the same time, sustainability is less frequently perceived in 2025 as a clear economic advantage.
Companies criticise limited government support
“The political framework conditions are also viewed critically. The majority of companies report limited government support when implementing sustainable measures,” says Andreas Pondorfer, author of the study and Professor of Sustainable Economic Policy at TUMCS. Nevertheless, the attractiveness of companies as employers remains a key driver of sustainable action, particularly in competition for qualified skilled workers.
Overall, STRANAX 2025 indicates a stable development of the Straubing business location with a cautiously positive outlook. Sustainability remains a relevant field of action, but is increasingly shaped by regulatory requirements and assessed more differentiatedly as a competitive factor. The results therefore provide a sound basis for further economic and sustainability policy discussions at the municipal level.