On a per capita basis, the Central European countries of Austria and Switzerland are in the lead together with Germany. The three German-speaking countries account for more than half of the world's hidden champions.

The world market leader in water-saving textile production, for example, is the Austrian company Lenzing Group. While the production of a cotton shirt requires around 2,700 liters of water, a shirt made of Lyocell - Lenzing's material - uses only 180 liters.

• Learn more about technology by Lenzing