Insights and Analysis

The Future of Manufacturing: International Investment Arbitration

02 March 2026

In this third episode of the "Future of Manufacturing" podcast series, Emerson Holmes, Head of the Manufacturing & Industrials sector at Hogan Lovells, is joined by Markus Burgstaller, a partner in the firm's International Arbitration Group, to explore how companies can protect major cross‑border investments in an increasingly complex geopolitical and regulatory environment.

Focusing on investor-state treaties and arbitration, the discussion explores these protections, their practical applications, and their importance for capital-intensive investments in the manufacturing sector. Grounded in real-world challenges from client advisory experience in the Manufacturing & Industrials sector, the conversation highlights the complexities of location-specific investments across global markets. With Markus' arbitration expertise, the podcast examines key protections under investment treaties, including safeguards against expropriation, discriminatory treatment, and regulatory changes, while also considering national security concerns, tariffs, and geopolitical risks. Through current case studies, it offers practical insights into government power, tribunal assessments, and critical considerations for investors structuring and protecting significant investments in unfamiliar markets.