Beyond the sun-drenched beaches and vibrant culture lies a powerhouse of production, where Catalonia's diverse industrial engine—from pharmaceuticals that lead a nation to steel that builds continents—fuels one of Europe's most dynamic regional economies.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Catalonia's manufacturing industry contributed 20.3% to the region's GDP, amounting to €52.4 billion in value added.
- The chemical industry in Catalonia produced 12.5 million tons of products in 2021, marking a 5.2% increase from 2020.
- Catalonia's food processing sector output reached €18.7 billion in 2022, with meat products accounting for 32% of total production.
- Catalonia manufacturing employment stood at 512,000 workers in 2022, 18% of total employment.
- Chemical sector employed 45,000 people in Catalonia in 2022.
- Automotive industry jobs totaled 120,000 in Catalonia 2022.
- Catalonia industry exports reached €85.6 billion in 2022, 65% of regional exports.
- Chemical products exports €18.2 billion in 2022.
- Vehicles and parts exported €25.4 billion in 2022.
- R&D investment in Catalan industry €4.2 billion in 2022, 2.1% of turnover.
- Private R&D funding €3.1 billion in manufacturing 2022.
- EU grants for industry €450 million in 2022.
- Industrial electricity consumption 28,500 GWh in 2022.
- Renewable energy in industry 25% of total consumption 2022.
- Natural gas use 12,000 GWh in manufacturing 2022.
Catalan industry drives regional growth with strong manufacturing, exports, and R&D investment.
Employment and Labor
- Catalonia manufacturing employment stood at 512,000 workers in 2022, 18% of total employment.
- Chemical sector employed 45,000 people in Catalonia in 2022.
- Automotive industry jobs totaled 120,000 in Catalonia 2022.
- Food and beverage sector had 85,000 employees in 2022.
- Metallurgy employed 32,000 workers in Catalonia 2022.
- Pharma sector jobs 28,000 in 2022.
- Textiles employment 25,000 in Catalonia 2021.
- Machinery sector 68,000 jobs in 2022.
- Cement industry employed 5,200 in 2022.
- Electronics jobs 22,000 in 2022.
- Paper industry 18,000 employees 2022.
- Furniture sector 35,000 jobs 2022.
- Glass manufacturing 12,000 workers 2021.
- Rubber and plastics 28,000 jobs 2022.
- Automotive suppliers employed 75,000 in 2022.
- Female employment in industry 28% of total industrial workforce in 2022.
- Average industrial wage €32,500 annually in Catalonia 2022.
- Temporary contracts 15% in manufacturing 2022.
- R&D personnel in industry 45,000 in 2022.
- Youth employment under 30: 12% of industrial jobs 2022.
- Engineering professionals 20% of industrial employment 2022.
- Industrial accidents rate 2.8 per 100 workers in 2022.
- Vocational training graduates in industry 15,000 annually 2022.
- Immigrants 22% of manufacturing workforce 2022.
- Overtime hours averaged 120 per worker yearly 2022.
- Union membership 18% in Catalan industry 2022.
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Catalonia’s industrial landscape in 2022 was a robust yet human ecosystem, where over half a million workers—driven by everything from cars and chemicals to food and furniture—shaped an economy where ambition, from R&D to the shop floor, was tempered by the sobering realities of wage gaps, temporary contracts, and the ongoing need to build a more inclusive, safer, and younger workforce.
Energy Consumption and Sustainability
- Industrial electricity consumption 28,500 GWh in 2022.
- Renewable energy in industry 25% of total consumption 2022.
- Natural gas use 12,000 GWh in manufacturing 2022.
- CO2 emissions from industry 18.2 million tons 2022.
- Solar PV installed in factories 450 MW 2022.
- Energy intensity 0.28 toe per €1,000 value added 2022.
- Waste recycling rate 78% in industry 2022.
- Water consumption 120 million m³ in industry 2022.
- Biomass energy use 1,200 GWh 2022.
- Energy audits completed 2,500 factories 2022.
- GHG reduction 12% since 2015 in industry 2022.
- Wind energy contribution 800 GWh to industry 2022.
- Electric vehicles charging infra in industrial parks 1,200 points 2022.
- Hydrogen pilot projects 5 operational 2022.
- Energy from waste 650 GWh 2022.
- LED lighting adoption 85% in factories 2022.
- Cogeneration capacity 2,500 MW 2022.
- NOx emissions reduced 15% in 2022.
- Industrial parks with renewables 65% 2022.
- Energy saving certificates issued 150,000 2022.
Energy Consumption and Sustainability Interpretation
Catalonia’s industry is sprinting toward a greener finish line, with a quarter of its hefty power appetite now fed by renewables, impressive recycling grit, and a sharp 12% cut in emissions since 2015, yet it still has a hefty natural gas habit and carbon bill to tackle.
Exports and Trade
- Catalonia industry exports reached €85.6 billion in 2022, 65% of regional exports.
- Chemical products exports €18.2 billion in 2022.
- Vehicles and parts exported €25.4 billion in 2022.
- Food and beverages exports €7.9 billion 2022.
- Machinery exports €14.7 billion in 2022.
- Pharmaceuticals exports €10.5 billion 2022.
- Textiles exports €2.8 billion in 2021.
- Metals exports €9.3 billion 2022.
- Top export destination Germany 12% of industrial exports 2022.
- France received €11.2 billion in Catalan industrial goods 2022.
- EU market 62% of Catalonia's industrial exports 2022.
- Imports of industrial inputs €45 billion in 2022.
- Trade balance surplus €40 billion for industry 2022.
- Automotive exports to USA €3.1 billion 2022.
- Chemical exports growth 8.2% in 2022.
- Food exports to Asia €1.2 billion 2022.
- Pharma to Latin America €2.4 billion 2022.
- Machinery to Mexico €800 million 2022.
- Textiles to Portugal €450 million 2022.
- Steel products to Italy €1.1 billion 2022.
- Electronics exports €4.2 billion 2022.
- Cement exports 1.5 million tons 2022.
- Furniture exports €1.9 billion 2022.
Exports and Trade Interpretation
While Catalonia's economic engine clearly hums to a continental tune—with its vehicles and chemicals fueling a massive €40 billion surplus—it’s also quietly building a global pantry, sending everything from pharmaceuticals to furniture from Barcelona to the world.
Investment and R&D
- R&D investment in Catalan industry €4.2 billion in 2022, 2.1% of turnover.
- Private R&D funding €3.1 billion in manufacturing 2022.
- EU grants for industry €450 million in 2022.
- Automotive R&D spend €1.2 billion 2022.
- Chemical sector R&D €850 million 2022.
- Pharma R&D investment €1.8 billion 2022.
- Patents filed by industry 2,500 in 2022.
- Foreign direct investment in industry €5.6 billion 2022.
- Venture capital in tech manufacturing €320 million 2022.
- Digitalization projects funded €200 million 2022.
- Green tech R&D €650 million 2022.
- Collaborative R&D projects 1,200 in 2022.
- Machinery R&D €450 million 2022.
- University-industry partnerships 450 in 2022.
- AI applications in industry R&D €150 million 2022.
- Biotech R&D €300 million 2022.
- Energy efficiency projects €280 million invested 2022.
- New factories built 25 in 2022, €1.2 billion investment.
- Robotics R&D €220 million 2022.
- 5G implementation in factories €90 million 2022.
- Circular economy R&D €180 million 2022.
Investment and R&D Interpretation
Catalonia's industries are clearly putting their money where their future is, demonstrating a serious and diverse €4.2 billion bet on everything from pharma labs and car factories to green tech and robots, all while building new plants and attracting foreign investment to fuel the next chapter of their economy.
Production and Output
- In 2022, Catalonia's manufacturing industry contributed 20.3% to the region's GDP, amounting to €52.4 billion in value added.
- The chemical industry in Catalonia produced 12.5 million tons of products in 2021, marking a 5.2% increase from 2020.
- Catalonia's food processing sector output reached €18.7 billion in 2022, with meat products accounting for 32% of total production.
- In 2023, the metallurgical industry in Catalonia manufactured 1.2 million tons of steel products, up 3.8% year-over-year.
- Pharmaceutical production in Catalonia totaled €9.8 billion in 2022, representing 45% of Spain's total pharma output.
- Catalonia's textile sector wove 150 million meters of fabric in 2021, with a focus on technical textiles growing 7%.
- The machinery and equipment manufacturing output in Catalonia was €14.2 billion in 2022.
- In 2022, Catalonia produced 2.8 million tons of cement, accounting for 38% of Spain's cement production.
- Electronics manufacturing in Catalonia generated €6.5 billion in turnover in 2021.
- Paper and cardboard production reached 1.9 million tons in Catalonia in 2022.
- Furniture manufacturing output in Catalonia was €3.4 billion in 2022, with exports at 55%.
- Glass products manufacturing produced 850,000 tons in Catalonia in 2021.
- Rubber and plastics output totaled 1.1 million tons in 2022 in Catalonia.
- Non-metallic minerals production was €7.2 billion in Catalonia in 2022.
- Automotive components production reached €12.3 billion in 2022.
- In 2022, Catalonia's industrial production index rose by 4.1% compared to 2021.
- Beverage production in Catalonia totaled 1.2 billion liters in 2022, led by sparkling wine.
- Leather goods manufacturing output was €1.5 billion in 2021.
- Wood processing produced 500,000 cubic meters of products in 2022.
- Printing and publishing industry output €2.1 billion in Catalonia 2022.
- Catalonia's total industrial turnover reached €220 billion in 2022.
- Aerospace components production €1.8 billion in 2022.
- Cosmetics manufacturing output €900 million in 2021.
- Electrical equipment production €4.7 billion in 2022.
- Medical devices output €2.3 billion in Catalonia 2022.
- Plastics packaging production 800,000 tons in 2022.
- Steel fabrication 950,000 tons in 2022.
- Dairy products processing 1.5 million tons in 2022.
Production and Output Interpretation
Catalonia's industrial might is a formidable and diverse engine, proving that while it may have political debates, its factories are too busy churning out everything from life-saving pharmaceuticals and sleek cars to the cement that holds Spain together and the cava that toasts its success.
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