“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 has established Catalonia as a strategic manufacturing and innovation hub, with four production sites and more than 500 employees producing high-performance polymers, MDI, chlorine and caustic soda for global markets.
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Henkel
Catalonia plays a key role in Henkel's global operations, hosting a strategic manufacturing site in Montornès del Vallès with over 500 employees and its European Planning Hub in Barcelona, where more than 120 professionals are based.
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BASF
BASF has reinforced Catalonia's role as a strategic hub for its manufacturing and business operations, with its headquarters in Barcelona and a major integrated production site in Tarragona, one of the largest in Southern Europe.
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Dow Chemical
Dow has made Catalonia its Southern European hub, combining major manufacturing operations with global R&D capabilities in Tarragona and employing around 700 people.
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Carburos Metálicos - Air Products
Carburos Metálicos has made Catalonia a strategic center for industrial gases and hydrogen technologies, bringing together its headquarters in Cornellà de Llobregat, R&D facilities in Bellaterra and innovation activities in Tarragona, with a team of more than 700 professionals.
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Kao Corporation
Kao has established Catalonia as a strategic hub for its chemicals business, hosting the European headquarters of its Chemicals Division, international management functions and four production plants, supported by R&D activities.
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Clariant
Clariant has made Catalonia a strategic center for its specialty chemicals business, with production facilities in Sant Joan Despí and Tarragona serving the personal care, industrial and plastics markets, supported by innovation capabilities and around 250 employees.
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Lyondell Basell
LyondellBasell has established Catalonia as a strategic polyolefins manufacturing hub, with around 300 employees at its Tarragona site producing polypropylene and advanced polyolefin solutions for global markets.
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Inovyn
INEOS Inovyn has a strategic PVC manufacturing hub in Catalonia, with a production site in Martorell (Barcelona) employing around 325 people and specialising in PVC and chlorine derivatives for Southern European and Mediterranean markets.
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Croda
Catalonia serves as a key base for Croda's specialty ingredients business, bringing together the company's headquarters in Barcelona, a manufacturing site in Fogars de la Selva and its largest European distribution hub, supported by around 370 employees.
Discover the Top International Chemical Companies’ locations.
Discover the Top International Chemical Companies’ locations.
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