Memoria 2023 - ZF Barcelona

These pages are proof of a shared journey by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona with institutions, companies, and associations to take new steps in the path of sustainable development and social and economic progress. People for yet another year in the daily work that builds the future of our society. Innovation (ways of working and thinking) on the ground, productive talent 4.0 in its broadest sense.

Thank you for joining us!

The Zona Franca, focused on innovation

2024 Milestones

Milestones

The Zona Franca, a leading public figure in innovation and sustainability

The CZFB completed its 2020-2024 Strategic Plan in 2024 and has begun laying the foundations for 2025-2029. This is a new step in what has been achieved by an entity that has turned 108 years old, self-managed through the revenue from the companies established there and the profits generated by its real estate assets.

Its contribution to economic and social development, a public management model, is based on pillars such as the urban integration of District 4.0 and meeting the sustainability goals set by the United Nations and the European Union.

The consolidation of DFactory, which has become the leading international ecosystem for industry 4.0, or the promotion of innovative ideas in logistics 4.0 and 3D printing through its incubators are examples of CZFB's efficient work, and with growing international projection.

Milestone 1

DISTRICT 4.0: INNOVATION IN PROGRESS

The start of the expansion of DFactory Barcelona, as an example of development dedicated to productive innovation that must permeate the entire Zona Franca de Barcelona industrial park, paves the way for District 4.0. This is a new boost to the institution's work from a local to a global setting, from improving urban integration and citizen use in the Zona Franca to the international projection of its various initiatives.

Milestone 2

COMMITTED TO BARCELONA

In 2024, the CZFB signed a protocol with the City of Barcelona that will facilitate the promotion of 1,878 affordable homes and 96,000 m² of facilities on its land in the districts of Sant Andreu and La Marina del Prat Vermell, contributing to solving the social issue of housing access. In line with its founding purpose of developing the economy and generating social welfare in its area, the Consorci was also authorized to purchase the Torre Tarragona to strengthen its real estate assets and sell the Media-TIC and Crea-TIC buildings to the municipality to consolidate a municipal services hub.

Milestone 3

AT THE FOREFRONT OF REINDUSTRIALIZATION

EV Motors and the Chinese company Chery manufactured the first vehicle models at the new Ebro Factory, one of the examples of active public-private collaboration at the CZFB to promote reindustrialization. This is a prime example of an electric vehicle production hub, which is complemented by notable sustainability projects such as the cold distribution network for productive activities—currently under construction—and the reclaimed water utilization project for industries.

Milestone 4

EFFICIENT ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM

2024 has again demonstrated Zona Franca's contribution to accelerating emerging companies, a key element of the 21st-century economy, with new milestones from its 3D Incubator and Logistics 4.0 incubators. The Zona Franca incubation ecosystem has involved 160 focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, talent, and opportunity creation.

Milestone 5

INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP THAT TRANSCENDS BORDERS

Barcelona's international projection in the new economy is undoubtedly strategic in the performance of the Consorci de la Zona Franca, which actively promotes the dissemination of its work worldwide. This was demonstrated in 2024 by a significant increase in its active presence at numerous free trade zone forums and public debate platforms internationally. Events in 2025, such as the 26th edition of SIL Barcelona, the fifth edition of BNEW, and the fourth edition of BWAW (all under the auspices of and within the ZF signature, within the framework of the innovation commitment of DFactory Barcelona and the Logistics 4.0 Incubator and 3D Incubator), will strengthen its contribution to logistics, the new economy, and gender equality.

Milestone 6

THE EXAMPLE OF THE BARCELONA FREE ZONE

The Barcelona Free Zone was chosen by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to launch a pilot project to certify free trade zones worldwide that guarantee commercial security in their sectors. The CZFB is working to become, by 2025, the world's first Free Zone to certify the highest standards of security and transparency in international trade.

PURPOSE

Barcelona is back. It beats strongly as a city, generating opportunities for sustainability, innovation, and equity. Our city is committed to an open society and does not hesitate in contributing to responding to the major global challenges.

With a network of dynamic and diversified institutions and companies, Barcelona demonstrates an ambitious vision, believes in itself again, and stands as the protagonist of its own story, a brand of progress and peace.

Our city must overcome the complexity of the international situation, where we witness with concern the scars of the wars devastating Ukraine and the Eastern Mediterranean shores, from Lebanon to Gaza. A world in which unsettling leaderships are emerging, potentially creating new uncertainties.

In this context, Barcelona continues growing thanks to diversification and its proactivity. The city is undergoing a remarkable transformation based on science and technology, serving sustainability and social progress. This knowledge explosion occurs in many productive and scientific activity hubs that have emerged throughout the metropolitan area. No less than half of the new jobs are in high-knowledge sectors, and our area leads to technological employment in Spain.

One of these great hubs of dynamism is located in the Zona Franca de Barcelona, with the Consorci de la Zona Franca as a key driver working on this productive, innovative, and global vision. As a public agent of economic and social progress, the Consorci is transforming this area into a new generator district, which has become a reality, with DFactory Barcelona at its epicenter. An economic district that combines technology, logistics, and new sustainable industries to offer young generations quality, and competitive and locally sourced employment.

The Zona Franca, with the Consorci weaving a multitude of public-private agreements, has become a large area of experimentation and urban innovation to move towards the decarbonization of our economy. We promote cleaner energies for industry and mobility and develop circular economy experiences. It is a district that has not hesitated to take an active and fundamental role as an area where scientific and technological advances of public interest materialize, following the sustainability path set by the 2030 Agenda.

The Zona Franca de Barcelona will play a significant role in the coming years. Here, a new centrality is being built, with vectors such as the housing developments of La Marina del Prat Vermell, the new 4.0 technology district of DFactory, and the Blue Economy of the port front. This area intends to drive progress for the country and the greater Barcelona metropolitan area.

Barcelona is back, and, as it could not be otherwise, so is its new Zona Franca. Together, we will work for a more livable, prosperous, and innovative city.

Jaume Collboni,
Mayor of Barcelona and President of the CZFB Board

Innovation is embedded in the DNA of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) and is always part of everything we do. This reason, combined with our exceptional ingredients, makes the Zona Franca de Barcelona a truly special location. We have a strategic geographic area next to the Port of Barcelona and Barcelona Airport, just 10 minutes by car from the city center, and we have key infrastructure for transporting goods.

On the other hand, there is the city of Barcelona itself. A historic capital for the Mediterranean region, acting as a bridge for the development of commercial relationships between three continents: Europe, Africa, and America. Barcelona is a city that welcomes, invites collaboration, unites efforts, and fosters innovation.

This is why, from the Zona Franca de Barcelona, we find ourselves in a strategic environment. We promote innovation, the new economy, and Industry 4.0, creating new opportunities inside and outside our borders. We have DFactory, which is already an internationally recognized industry 4.0 ecosystem promoting open innovation. It covers 17,000 square meters, hosts 35 companies, and is 85% occupied.

We must continue driving this new industry's progress and support these companies' growth. That's why we are already working on planning a second phase of DFactory, which will be built on adjacent land and cover 100,000 square meters.

This is the factory of a future that is already here. Where alliances are created between companies, challenges are launched, and projects are developed together. It is an open ecosystem where everything is very transparent and visible to everyone. Spectacular ideas become incredible projects, generating quality jobs. Because everything we do is centered around generating opportunities, improving economic progress, and enhancing the living conditions of citizens.

As part of our vision, from the CZFB, we want DFactory to radiate across the entire industrial park, transforming the Zona Franca de Barcelona into a central District 4.0 for the whole Metropolitan Region of Barcelona, and becoming a global reference. To attract major companies to our District 4.0, we clearly know that the market demands three key elements: talent that adapts to companies' changing needs, connectivity with the world, and a solid ecosystem with top-tier universities and technological centers.

These three ingredients are available in Barcelona, which is why the Zona Franca de Barcelona meets these conditions. We are not starting from scratch, as we have a more than 100-year history of economic activity in this area. We are now transforming it to return to our roots, which have always been closely linked to innovation. Currently, we are transforming our area of activity to meet the needs of a digital world, and therefore, we are investing in Industry 4.0.

At DFactory, we have examples of projects scouting locations across Europe and eventually settling in Barcelona. For example, a multinational company has set up its Digital Hub in Barcelona and has a robust project that will grow rapidly in the coming years. So, this is already happening. Here, large multinationals are mixing with smaller companies with highly innovative activities.

It's true that DFactory, from an architectural perspective, could be constructed anywhere in the world, but what happens inside is very hard to replicate. Not impossible, but very difficult. Barcelona has all these ingredients that, when combined, make it possible for us to drive this great District 4.0, which is already becoming a reference in our country and worldwide.

Pere Navarro,
Special Government Delegate to the CZFB