2024 Highlights: 12 Key Investments in Catalonia

In 2024, leading global companies like Sony AI, AkzoNobel, Nestlé, Chery, LIDL, and Covestro chose Barcelona and Catalonia as the locations for new centers, expanded investments, and job creation.

This wave of investments has strengthened Catalonia's position as a leading European hub across many sectors, including life sciences, automotive, chemicals & plastics, and logistics.

Let's take a closer look at the main investments in Barcelona and Catalonia this year:

#1: LIDL invests 140 million euros in a new Barcelona warehouse, Spain's largest logistics investment

The German supermarket company Lidl announced that it will invest 140 million euros in a new warehouse in Martorell (Barcelona). This is the company's largest logistics investment in Spain since its arrival 30 years ago.

The opening of this warehouse, scheduled for 2025, will allow Lidl to continue generating local wealth and employment, consolidating its position as one of the main drivers of the Catalan economy and labour market.

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#2: Sony AI chooses Barcelona to open its newest artificial intelligence center

Sony AI, a division of Sony Research, a subsidiary of the Japanese multinational Sony Group Corporation, chose Barcelona to establish its latest Artificial Intelligence development center, its second in Europe.

The new office will focus on developing AI systems to assist scientists in complex research, accelerating new scientific discoveries and projects related to gastronomy.

According to Sony AI president Michael Spranger, Catalonia is "home to many research universities with established AI programs, as well as key technology and science organizations". Spranger also added, "We are proud to expand our work to support creators in this open and innovative environment, and to learn and collaborate with the community".

For its establishment in Barcelona, Sony AI had the support of the Catalan government through Catalonia Trade & Investment.

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#3: Chinese company Chery chooses Barcelona for its first electric car plant in Europe

Chinese carmaker Chery announced that it will start producing electric cars in Barcelona, which is its first car plant in Europe. Chery is the leading vehicle exporter in China, with 937,148 million units exported in 2023.

Chery signed a joint venture with the Catalan company Ebro EV-Motors, and both companies will start manufacturing Omoda (Chery's brand) and Ebro vehicles.

Zhang Guibing, Executive Vice President of Chery, said during the announcement, "The Barcelona plant will be one of Chery's main export bases worldwide. Once this industrial park reaches the necessary scale, we will export to Europe and other countries".

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#4: Nestlé invests €22 million in a second biomass boiler at Catalonia coffee factory

Nestlé invested €22 million in a second biomass boiler at its Catalonia coffee factory. The company has initiated its construction at its facilities in Girona, which is dedicated to producing Nescafé soluble coffee and Nescafé Dolce Gusto capsules.

The new boiler is expected to be operating by mid-2025. This significant investment will complement the existing boiler, which has been operational since 2020, after an initial investment of over 17 million euros.

In Catalonia, Nestlé also built a technology and innovation center in Barcelona six years ago to deliver technology at scale, speed, agility, and efficiency to all markets and brands worldwide.

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#5: Multinational company Covestro invests €51 million to decarbonize its Tarragona plant

The multinational company Covestro invested €51 million in a decarbonization and efficiency improvement project at its chemical plant in Tarragona, Catalonia.

With this initiative, Covestro aims to achieve an annual energy savings of at least 72,000 MWh and reduce up to 13,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

The general director of Covestro in Spain, Andrea Firenze, noted: "This new investment is another step in our firm commitment to the region and to sustainability. Tarragona has all the necessary elements to become a benchmark for sustainable chemistry in Southern Europe".

The Covestro project has received support from Catalonia Trade & Investment via a €1.6 million grant from the High-impact Business Investment line.

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#6: Swedish company Essity invests €24 million to open a new production line at its Tarragona factory

The Swedish company Essity opened a new production line at its factory in Tarragona, Catalonia. With an investment of €24 million, the company has expanded its manufacturing capabilities to include incontinence products, complementing its production of tissue derivatives such as toilet paper, napkins, and diapers.

Essity's director of operations in Catalonia, Míriam Guasch, stated, "Essity's Tarragona plant is a flagship facility for our group in Europe. Over the past five years, we've invested more than 100 million euros here. Talent has been essential to our success, which is why we collaborate closely with local universities and schools".

Essity's expansion in Catalonia has been supported by Catalonia Trade & Investment through a €200,000 grant from the high-impact business investments subsidy line.

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#7: Galderma, Swiss dermatology multinational, opens headquarters in Barcelona and creates 150 jobs

Swiss dermatology multinational Galderma inaugurated its new global capacity center in Barcelona, creating over 150 new jobs. This center will focus on R&D, commercial operations, and the recruitment and management of global talent. The company offers a premium range of products and services across all dermatology.

Galderma CEO Flemming Ørnskov assured that "our Global Capability Center in Barcelona is now fully operational, with high-performing teams and diverse talents that truly reflect the Galderma brand and purpose."

The Catalan government has facilitated Galderma's establishment in Barcelona through Catalonia Trade & Investment.

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 #8: LCI Education invests €33 million in a new European hub in Barcelona

LCI Education has expanded its global footprint by launching a state-of-the-art campus in Barcelona. This new European hub represents a major milestone for the Canadian group, a global education organization that operates 12 institutions across five continents, welcoming over 20,000 students from more than 130 countries each year. 

Located in Barcelona's dynamic 22@ district, a neighborhood renowned for its innovation and creativity, the 11,000m2 facility marks a €33 million investment.

Claude Marchand, President and CEO of LCI Education, emphasized the importance of this expansion: "LCI Barcelona provides a unique opportunity for our learners across the world to engage in international mobility, allowing them to pursue their studies abroad and collaborate with peers from around the world. Our new European hub will enrich the academic experience of our learners and open doors to multicultural learning in one of Europe's most creative cities".

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#9: AkzoNobel to invest €14 million and create over 70 new jobs in Catalonia

The Dutch company AkzoNobel committed €14 million to expand the production capacity of its factories in Barcelona. This significant investment will create over 70 new jobs in the region. For this project, the company has received the support of Catalonia Trade & Investment.

The company opened a new planning hub for Europe in Barcelona two years ago. 

AkzoNobel is a global company specializing in manufacturing and selling paints, coatings, and specialty chemicals. With a commercial presence in more than 150 countries, AkzoNobel employs over 1,100 people in Catalonia. 

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#10: Barcelona welcomes new Wolf Group factory, bringing 12 million euros investment and 50 jobs

The Wolf Group multinational, one of Europe's leading manufacturers and distributors of chemical products and systems for construction, invested 12 million euros and created 50 new jobs with its newly opened factory in Barcelona. 

The new plant, covering 10 hectares, will be the first to manufacture polyurethane foams on the Iberian Peninsula, which will then be exported to over 70 countries.

Sergi Baqués, Managing Director of Wolf Group Ibérico, said, "We innovate by opening the first polyurethane foam factory. It is a strong message to the construction sector".

This investment project has received support from the Government of Catalonia through Catalonia Trade & Investment.

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#11: Dataxstream opens its first European headquarters in Barcelona

The American technology company Dataxstream is set to establish its first European headquarters in Barcelona, creating 30 new jobs. The company develops software to help other businesses optimize the management of complex orders. This move signifies Dataxstream's commitment to expanding its operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

According to Dataxstream's EMEA president, Jean-Jérôme Peytavi, "We are delighted to open our office in Barcelona and Catalonia: the city and the territory have a lot to offer, the technological ecosystem is strong, the universities are prestigious internationally, and we are impressed by the diversity of profiles and the level of local talent." Peytavi assured that "ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment has helped us enormously in our decision and has guided us very efficiently since our first visit from the United States." 

To establish itself in Catalonia, Dataxstream has had the support of the Government through Catalonia Trade & Investment.

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#12: German biotech QIAGEN invests €13 million in a new global innovation center in Barcelona 

The biotechnology multinational QIAGEN announced a €13 million investment over the next five years to expand its facilities in Barcelona. The company will establish a new global innovation center, set to open in early 2026, dedicated to advancing molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, where they will have space to allocate more than 400 jobs of high-added value in the long term.

Thierry Bernard, CEO of QIAGEN, stated, "Barcelona offers an ideal location for our expansion, combining access to scientific talent with a strategic European position. This new hub will enable QIAGEN to advance the development of innovative solutions for diagnosing infectious diseases on a global scale while contributing significant economic value and scientific prestige to the Catalonia region," he emphasized.

QIAGEN has received support from Catalonia Trade & Investment, which assists companies in establishing themselves in Catalonia and provides guidance for their subsequent regional operations.

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Thinking about expanding your business to Catalonia?

Catalonia stands out as a vibrant center for business growth and innovation, offering a stable and dynamic environment. With access to a talented workforce and strategic advantages, it's the perfect location for expanding or relocating your business. Many companies have already seized the opportunity to thrive here.

Contact Catalonia Trade & Investment to discover the possibilities.

As we say goodbye to 2024, the team at Catalonia Trade & Investment wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May the coming year continue to bring prosperity to Catalonia's dynamic business landscape.