Catalonia has established itself as one of Southern Europe’s main economic powerhouses and a prime destination for living and working. Its strong industrial base, combined with an advanced technological infrastructure, makes it an ideal environment for foreign investment and business creation.
Key industries in Catalonia
The region stands out for its industrial diversity, with strategic sectors driving its economic growth:
Chemical, plastics and Green Business
Catalonia leads Spain’s chemical sector with 1,985 companies (25.7% of Spain’s total), employing 31.1% of the national workforce. In 2020, it generated €21.6 billion in revenue (36.8% of Spain’s total).
The main hubs—Barcelona, Tarragona, and Vallès—host 80% of companies and nearly 90% of revenue and jobs. Tarragona specializes in petrochemicals, Vallès in industrial chemicals, and Barcelona in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Fashion and Design
The design industries in Catalonia, spanning textiles, footwear, jewelry, and home furnishings, blend tradition with strong international reach. Notable fashion brands include Mango, Munich, and Pronovias, while leading homeware and lighting companies include Roca and Kettal. The Catalonia Industry Suppliers platform helps businesses find providers in these sectors.
Food and Beverage
Catalonia hosts companies across the entire food value chain, from production and processing to packaging and distribution. The Catalonia Industry Suppliers platform connects businesses with top partners in agriculture, food, gourmet products, and beverages.
Health and Life Sciences
Catalonia is emerging as a global hub for life sciences and healthcare innovation, with a growing ecosystem of nearly 1,400 companies (+5.45% in 2023), strong infrastructure, and supportive policies. The sector is thriving, with 71 investment organizations and up to 1.5 startups launched weekly.
Industrial Systems and Digitalization
Catalonia’s ICT and digital sector is thriving, with over 23,450 companies — a 6.5% increase in a year —contributing €34.78B to the economy (12.9% of GDP). Global giants like Microsoft, HP, and Porsche Digital operate here, alongside 38 of the world’s top 50 innovators.
The sector has grown 15.3% in turnover and 9.3% in companies over five years, representing 22.6% of Spain’s ICT firms and 18.9% of its workforce. With major tech events, R&D centers, and universities, Catalonia is a booming digital hub.
Mobility and Transportation
Catalonia is a leading hub in the automotive and sustainable mobility sectors, hosting a strong network of engineering companies, TIER suppliers, and OEMs like Seat (part of the Volkswagen Group). The region is home to key R&D centers such as Applus IDIADA, Eurecat, and ICFO, along with over 200 companies in the Catalonia Automotive Industry Cluster (CIAC).
It plays a pivotal role in the shift to electric and connected vehicles, with Barcelona as Southern Europe’s 5G hub and the headquarters of the EIT Urban Mobility project, driving urban mobility transformation. Additionally, the industrial railway sector is strong, with 190 companies and a total turnover of €6.85 billion.
Startups
Barcelona-Catalonia is home to 2,102 startups, marking a 4% increase over the previous year, according to the Barcelona & Catalonia Startup Hub 2023 Report. The number of startups has consistently grown and nearly doubled since 2016. Nearly half (48%) of these startups were founded in the last five years. Barcelona has become Southern Europe’s leading startup hub and the second most attractive city for founders in Europe, ranking second globally among emerging startup ecosystems, as per the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (Emerging Ecosystems Ranking 2024).
Technologies
Catalonia’s easy access to skilled talent, strong innovation culture, dynamic startups, and fast-growing digital ecosystem are attracting global corporations to invest in the region. Barcelona and Catalonia have seen a rise in technological projects, with the number of foreign tech companies establishing operations in the region growing by 21% in 2019, particularly from the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Video Games and Digital Media
The video game industry in Barcelona-Catalonia is a dynamic sector driving the digital economy, offering excellent business opportunities and strong job creation potential. It is a young, innovative industry with a global outlook.
Both national and international companies have invested in Catalonia, including local startups like Social Point and Akamon, which were acquired, as well as major multinationals such as King, Bandai Namco, Scopely, and Ubisoft.
Opportunities for foreign companies
Thanks to its dynamic business ecosystem and commitment to digitalization, Catalonia offers unique opportunities for the establishment and expansion of foreign companies. Additionally, it provides incentives and investment support programs that simplify business setup.
If you are considering establishing your company in Spain, Catalonia is a strategic destination with a vibrant economy, a solid industrial network, and an innovative environment conducive to business growth.
Contact us to learn how we can help you take the leap to Catalonia!
Source: https://catalonia.com/
