“Catalonia has very positive conditions for the chemical industry: the infrastructure, research centers of the highest level, access to talent and competitive costs”
Carles Navarro, Managing Director BASF Spain
Top International chemical players in Catalonia
Catalonia is the largest chemical hub in Southern Europe and a smart choice for chemical companies looking to expand their business.
Catalonia, a center of chemical excellence.
In Catalonia, chemicals, energy, and resources have played a vital role in promoting competitiveness and driving economic development. The region proudly leads Spain's chemical industry, boasting the highest number of companies, revenues, and job creation, being home to an impressive 1,985 chemical companies, representing a substantial 25.7% of the country's total.
Holding the position of the second largest manufacturing sector in Catalonia, the chemical industry will contribute a remarkable €21,596 billion in revenue in 2020, representing 36.8% of the total revenue of all Spanish industries.
Catalonia's chemical capabilities are concentrated in three main hubs: Barcelona, Tarragona, and Vallès. Together, these hubs are home to up to 80% of the industry's companies, covering different levels of the value chain.
Catalonia's attractiveness for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the chemical industry is evident, ranking fifth among the top 10 regions in the EU27 for chemical FDI projects from 2018 to 2022. Prominent investors from Germany, the United States, and France have implemented 39 chemical FDI projects with a total investment of €654 million, creating a remarkable 1,262 jobs during this period.
Many international companies are consolidating Catalonia as a leading player in the chemical industry landscape, underlining its position as a thriving chemical investment destination.
Top International Chemical Players In Catalonia.
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Covestro
Covestro's 4 production centers in Catalonia manufacture resins for different applications, MDI, chlorine, and caustic soda, as well as a logistics center distributing hydrochloric acid with available infrastructures for third-party companies.
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Henkel
The Henkel plant in Montornès del Vallès (Barcelona) is one of the group's leading plants, producing over 200,000 tons a year of powder and liquid detergents and adhesives, with some 500 employees and exports to over 50 countries.
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BASF
BASF's Spanish headquarters in Catalonia include 7 production centers, distribution warehouses, tanks, and third-party infrastructure. Tarragona is also the company's main production center in the Mediterranean region.
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Dow Chemical
Catalonia is home to Dow Chemical’s southern European hub. It employs some 700 people and has 2 production plants and 2 Global R&D&I Centers. The Dow site in Tarragona is the 3rd most important site of the company in the EU and 10th worldwide.
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Carburos Metálicos - Air Products
Carburos Metálicos, an Air Products-owned company, has 13 production and 14 packaging plants, 2 high-purity gas labs, an R&D center in Bellaterra (Barcelona), a Hydrogen station, and a research lab in Tarragona, with a team of 700+ employees.
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Kao Corporation
KAO bases its European HQ on the chemistry division and its head office for Germany, Mexico, and Brazil in Catalonia. The Japanese company also has four production plants and different R&D activities here in Catalonia.
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Clariant
Clariant has two production plants in Catalonia. One for personal care products, metal, petroleum, and detergents, and the other for plastic material extrusion and transformation. The company also sells pigments, dyes, and additives to the industry.
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Lyondell Basell
Out of its Tarragona plant, with a workforce of some 300 people, Lyondell Basell produces polypropylene resins and advanced polyolefin products.
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Inovyn
Inovyn Spain’s headquarters are in Catalonia, and – with 325 employees – it manufactures VCM and PVC on a 56-hectare site for the southern European and Mediterranean market.
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Croda
With 370 employees and its Iberian HQ in Catalonia, Croda's site is one of the group's most important EU plants, exporting 85% of production and managing products from other group factories. It is also its largest EU product distribution hub.
Discover the Top International Chemical Companies’ locations.
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