Invest in Spain Aragón

Linkedin Phone-alt Envelope

Menu

Author: investinaragon

Categories
Automotive

Stellantis and CATL to Invest Up to €4.1 Billion in Joint Venture for Large-Scale LFP Battery Plant in Spain

AMSTERDAM – Stellantis and CATL today announced they have reached an agreement to invest up to €4.1 billion to form a joint venture that will build a large-scale European lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain. Designed to be completely carbon neutral, the battery plant will be implemented in several phases and investment plans.

Targeted to start production by end of 2026 at Stellantis’ Zaragoza, Spain site, the facility could reach up to 50 GWh capacity, subject to the evolution of the electrical market in Europe and continued support from authorities in Spain and the European Union. The 50-50 joint venture between CATL and Stellantis will boost Stellantis’ best-in-class LFP offer in Europe enabling the automaker to offer more high-quality, durable and affordable battery-electric passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs in the B and C segments with intermediate ranges.

In November 2023, Stellantis and CATL signed a non-binding MOU for the local supply of LFP battery cells and modules for electric vehicle production in Europe and established a long-term collaboration on two strategic fronts: creating a bold technology roadmap to support Stellantis’ advanced battery electric vehicles (BEV) and identifying opportunities to further strengthen the battery value chain.

“Stellantis is committed to a decarbonized future, embracing all available advanced battery technologies to bring competitive electric vehicle products to our customers,” said Stellantis Chairman John Elkann. “This important joint venture with our partner CATL will bring innovative battery production to a manufacturing site that is already a leader in clean and renewable energy, helping drive a 360-degree sustainable approach. I want to thank all stakeholders involved in making today’s announcement a reality, including the Spanish authorities for their continued support.”

“The joint venture has taken our cooperation with Stellantis to new heights, and I believe our cutting-edge battery technology and outstanding operation knowhow combined with Stellantis’ decades-long experience in running business locally in Zaragoza will ensure a major success story in the industry,” said Robin Zeng, Chairman and CEO of CATL. “CATL’s goal is to make zero-carbon technology accessible across the globe, and we look forward to cooperating with our partners globally through more innovative cooperation models.”

CATL is bringing state-of-the-art battery manufacturing technology to Europe through its two plants in Germany and Hungary, which are already operational. The Spanish facility will enhance its capabilities to support customers’ climate goals, further underscoring its commitment to advancing e-mobility and energy transition efforts in Europe and the global market.

Stellantis is employing a dual-chemistry approach – lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) – to serve all customers and exploring innovative battery cell and pack technologies. Stellantis is on track to becoming a carbon net zero corporation by 2038, all scopes included, with single-digit percentage compensation of remaining emissions. 

The transaction is expected to close in the course of 2025 and is subject to customary regulatory conditions.

Categories
Pharmaceutical

Opportunities in the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sector in Aragon

Aragon is positioned as a hub for the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, with a vibrant ecosystem that fosters innovation, collaboration and growth.

After a decade of rapid expansion, Aragon is realizing its potential as an industrial hub in areas such as biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics and medical technology. Almost 91% of the Spanish healthcare industry and 52% of the Spanish biotechnology industry is located within 300 km of the region, 5 of the 60 largest companies in the pharmaceutical industry in Spain are located in Aragon, which is the 3rd Spanish region by number of healthcare companies.

These are some of the main ideas that were discussed last November 10 at the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce, in the event “Invest in Aragon” organized by Capital Radio and the Government of Aragon.

Two leading companies in the sector, Podoactiva and Certest, together with another relevant player in the region, the Walqa Technology Park, talked about their advances in areas such as personalized medicine, bioinformatics and digital technologies applied to health.

The biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector in Aragon is adapting to technological changes and the growing demand for personalized healthcare services through specialization, digitalization and public-private collaboration.

Specialization: Aragonese companies are focusing on specific market niches to develop customized and innovative solutions.

Digitization: Bioinformatics and digitization are becoming essential for the development of these companies. San Jorge University in Aragon already offers a degree in bioinformatics, recognizing the importance of this area.

Aragon has a solid research and development infrastructure, driven by institutions such as the University of Zaragoza, the Technological Institute of Aragon (ITA) and the Health Research Institute of Aragon. This infrastructure, which combines public-private collaboration, facilitates the generation of knowledge and the transfer of technology to the productive sector.

Other issues also discussed at this roundtable were related to talent and quality of life.

Attracting and retaining talent: It is vitally important to attract and retain talent in Aragon. The region’s universities, such as the University of Zaragoza and San Jorge University, offer degrees in biosanitary areas, providing a source of local talent. However, there is concern that this talent may leave for other regions if they are not offered the right conditions. The need for internship programs to help recent graduates enter the labor market was highlighted.

Quality of Life: Aragon offers a high quality of life, which makes it an attractive place to live and work. This factor can contribute to the attraction of talent and the consolidation of a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The sector also faces significant challenges. The three speakers pointed out:

Bureaucracy in drug authorization and other processes continues to be an obstacle to the sector’s progress. Although efforts are being made to reduce bureaucracy, companies still perceive the need for greater agility in these processes.

Low productivity in Europe, including Spain, is identified as a concern that could affect the future of the sector.

There is a need to publicize the leading companies that exist in Aragon to attract talent and prevent it from leaving for other regions. It is necessary to work on the visibility of the companies from all the economic agents involved.

In summary, Aragon offers a favorable environment for the development of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, due to all of the above and also because of its excellent location, and its sophisticated infrastructure and multimodal logistics services, including cold chain solutions, which allow access to most of Europe in just 24 hours and to any corner of the world in 48 hours.

Categories
Automotive Manufacturing

Aragon, a leader in the automotive industry in the midst of transformation

Aragon’s automotive industry remains a key pillar for the Spanish and European economy, standing out as a benchmark for competitiveness, innovation and sustainability.

This is the main conclusion reached in one of the debates held at the “Invest in Aragón” event organized by Capital Radio and the Government of Aragón on November 10 at the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce, where industry experts discussed the advances, challenges and opportunities for this dynamic sector, which is undergoing an unprecedented transformation, driven by electrification and new mobility solutions.

Participants in the meeting included Mar Paños, General Director of Industrial Promotion and Innovation of the Government of Aragon; Elena Latorre, General Director of MANN+HUMMEL Ibérica; and David Romeral, manager of the Automotive and Mobility Cluster of Aragon (CAAR).

Aragon, a strategic center for the Automotive Industry

Aragon is recognized as one of the main automotive hubs in Spain, with the presence of one of the major manufacturers: Stellantis, as well as more than 300 component supplier companies that also supply other global brands. Eighty percent of the vehicles manufactured in Spain are produced within 350 km of Zaragoza, and 90% of the country’s automotive components industry is located in Aragon. This concentration of companies, distinguished by their high competitiveness and innovation, makes the region an international benchmark in the automotive industry.

In addition, Aragon benefits from its strategic location, situated in a key logistical corridor for the sector, which makes the region a first-rate transportation hub for the automotive industry, facilitating distribution at both national and European level.

Industry transformation and challenges

The industry is currently facing a profound transformation, driven by the transition to electric vehicles and new mobility solutions. Aragonese companies are investing heavily in research and development to adapt to these changes, with Stellantis leading the production in Spain of three fully electric models at its Zaragoza plant.

In this context, innovation in production processes is essential to maintain global competitiveness. The integration of new technologies, cost reduction and improved sustainability are some of the focuses of work that will enable companies to remain a benchmark in the global market.

The challenge of training and talent retention

One of the biggest challenges facing the automotive industry in Aragon is the shortage of qualified talent, especially in technical areas such as mechatronics and mold making. To address this need, the Government of Aragon is driving several key initiatives:

  • The development of a Talent Plan to train, attract, retain, and in some cases repatriate, qualified professionals in all sectors.
  • The creation of training and retraining programs for workers, adapted to new technologies and industry demands.
  • Collaboration with universities and vocational training centers to align educational programs with market needs.
  • The organization of awareness days aimed at showing young people the opportunities offered by the industrial sector in general, and changing the perception of modern manufacturing.

Challenges and opportunities for the future

Experts agree that, in order to consolidate Aragon’s leadership in the automotive industry, it is necessary to:

  • Promote the region’s strengths and competitiveness, attracting both investors and highly qualified talent, both nationally and internationally.
  • Reduce bureaucratic barriers and simplify administrative processes to encourage business growth and investment.
  • Increase investment in education and training programs to ensure a steady supply of skilled workers who can contribute to the future of the sector.
  • Improve the perception of the industry among young people, highlighting the professional opportunities offered by the sector, as well as its innovative and sustainable nature.
Categories
Aerospace Sin categoría

Aerospace Cluster of Aragón celebrates anniversary highlighting the boost of the industry in the region

The Aeronautics, Space and Defence Cluster of Aragon (AERA) celebrated its 17th anniversary on 5 November at the Teruel Airport Platform (PLATA).

The anniversary was held at the facilities of Elson Space España, a pioneer in the manufacture of HAPS, and at the event, the president of the AERA Cluster and general director of the Teruel Airport (PLATA), Alejandro Ibrahim highlighted the great growth of the cluster, which has doubled its membership in 2 years and now totals almost 60 entities.

During the event Elson Space was awarded for its commitment to the development of advanced HAPS technologies, and also the company Teltronic, for its 50 years of dedication to the development of advanced communication solutions and its importance in the Aragonese business community. Special recognition was also given to Colonel Conrado Cebollero, defence delegate in Aragon, for his constant support and his dedication and promotion of the defence culture.

The anniversary also served to showcase the strengths of one of the region’s drivers of innovation and growth, which is still largely unknown. The aeronautics, space and defence sector employs 7,000 people throughout Aragon, including the auxiliary industry, with 700 of these jobs located at Teruel airport. The annual turnover is 1,500 million euros, which represents 4% of Aragon’s GDP, according to the Regional Minister of the Presidency, Economy and Justice and Vice-President of the Government of Aragon, Mar Vaquero. This growth in the weight of the aeronautical sector is mainly due to the defence and space sectors, with many projects related to artificial intelligence technology systems.

Aerospace industry in Aragon

The aeronautical, space and defence sector in Aragon has undergone a remarkable expansion in recent years, consolidating its position as a benchmark in innovation and advanced technology. With specialised centres such as the Teruel Airport Platform, the region has the largest European infrastructure for the storage, maintenance and recycling of aircraft, and is positioned as a unique space for the development of high-tech projects, including drones, HAPS (high-altitude pseudo-satellites) and aerospace testing. In addition, the synergy between companies, universities and research centres fosters a dynamic ecosystem in which areas such as artificial intelligence applied to defence, new propulsion technologies and the development of advanced composite materials stand out. All of this, together with institutional support and Aragon’s excellent logistical connectivity, strengthens its position as a key destination for investment in the aerospace and defence sector.

Categories
Green Energy Sin categoría

3.4 billion investment in a new data center in Aragón

Jorge Azcón, President of the regional Government of Aragón, has announced a 3.4 billion investment by the company Box2Bit for the construction of a data centre in Cariñena, a town near Zaragoza well known for its Protected Designations of Origin for wine. The CAMPUS EBRO project will create more than 1,950 direct jobs, 350 of them already in the operational phase, and it is estimated that it will have an impact of 4,400 million euros on the GDP of the region. The Government Council has approved the Declaration of General Interest of Aragon (DIGA) of the initiative to speed up the deadlines, with the works scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2005 and to be completed in 2029.

Cariñena is a town of about 3,000 inhabitants, excellently communicated by the A23 motorway with both Zaragoza, 50 km, and Valencia, 265 km.

About Box2Bit

Box2bit, founded in 2021, specializes in sustainable data centres, with a goal of 100% renewable energy consumption, and it is present in more than 5 countries.

Categories
Green Energy

Aragon attracts 700 million euro investment for hydrogen and green ammonia plant in the city of Caspe

Aragon reinforces its leadership in clean energies with an investment of 700 million euros to produce hydrogen and green ammonia

The President of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, has announced an important investment of 700 million euros by the company Alkeymia to build a hydrogen and green ammonia production plant in Caspe. This project has been declared a project of general interest for the region by the Government of Aragón and it is expected to start operating in 2025.

The plant will generate approximately 1,000 jobs during its construction phase and more than 85 direct jobs during its operation. This new complex will house two renewable energy plants will guarantee a sustainable supply, which will allow progress towards climate neutrality and reinforce Aragon’s position as a reference in the energy transition.

This project underscores Aragon’s ability to attract investment in strategic sectors, thanks to its propitious environment for the implementation of renewable energy and its advanced infrastructure for the development of new energy projects.

Aragon, a privileged environment for investment in renewable energy

Aragon offers a favourable environment for attracting investment in innovative sectors, especially in clean energy. The region has a strategic geographical location and a high potential in renewable resources such as the sun and wind, which facilitates the installation of energy generation infrastructures. In addition, the Government of Aragon has launched several initiatives to support research, development and implementation of sustainable technologies, including aid for the integration of renewable energies in mobility and logistics.

Aragon’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, together with a regulatory framework that favours investment and the development of large projects, has made the region a benchmark for decarbonization in Europe. This ecosystem, which combines public-private cooperation and institutional support, allows the region not only to attract large projects such as Alkeymia, but also to consolidate a business network committed to the green economy.

This project in Caspe and other initiatives, aligned with the European Green Pact, reinforce Aragon’s commitment to the energy transition, highlighting its role as a hub of innovation and sustainability in southern Europe.

Categories
Logistics Sin categoría

More investment for the development of the rail highway between Algeciras and Zaragoza

Aragón strengthens its position as a logistics hub with an investment of 30 million euros in the Algeciras-Zaragoza rail highway

The Spanish Government has earmarked nearly 30 million euros for the adaptation of 13 tunnels located between Cordoba and the municipality of Santa Cruz de Mudela, as part of the development of the rail highway that will connect Algeciras with Zaragoza. This investment is in addition to the adaptation works already underway on the section between Madrid and Zaragoza, where a total of 78 million euros has been invested. These actions are essential to allow the passage of trains loaded with semi-trailers through the railway network, improving the efficiency of intermodal transport.

With these new investments, the rail highway project has already mobilized more than 315 million euros, approaching the total estimated budget of 468 million euros. The project aims to boost freight transport between southern Europe and the rest of the continent, promoting a sustainable alternative to road transport. It is expected that, once the works are completed, up to six trains per day will be able to run between Algeciras and Zaragoza, also connecting with other ports and strategic regions of the peninsula.

Aragon, a benchmark in logistics and intermodal transport

Aragon has established itself as a key logistics hub in Spain, thanks to its strategic location and robust infrastructure. The region has important logistics platforms, such as the Zaragoza Logistics Platform (PLAZA), which is the largest in Europe and a hub for the distribution of goods by land, air and rail. The connection with the port of Algeciras through the new rail highway strengthens its capacity to attract investment and boost the regional economy.

In addition, the promotion of intermodality facilitates the integration of the different modes of transport, reducing costs and improving the sustainability of trade. Investments in rail infrastructure contribute to reducing dependence on road transport, in line with the objectives of sustainability and reduction of the carbon footprint. All this reinforces the attractiveness of Aragon for companies seeking a strategic base for the distribution of goods at national and European level.

Categories
Aragon Technology Hub

New 7.5 billion investment for Blackstone data center campus in Aragón

The President of the regional Government of Aragón, Jorge Azcón, announced the approval this Monday by the Governing Council of a Declaration of Autonomic Interest with General Interest (DIGA) that will allow the promotion of a new 224-hectare data center campus that Blackstone, one of the world’s largest investment firms, intends to develop in the Zaragoza town of Calatorao.

The proposed development represents an important business investment of up to 7.5 billion Euros, with a potential contribution of between 16.5 and 25.45 billion Euros to Aragon’s Gross Domestic Product over the next 25 years.

As explained by the head of the regional Executive during the presentation of this initiative, which took place in the Crown Hall of the Pignatelli building, headquarters of the Government of Aragon.

The planned investment will be made in the municipality of Calatorao, in industrial land located next to the A-2 motorway, seven kilometers from the urban center of Calatorao and in the area of influence of municipalities such as Lucena de Jalón, Épila or La Muela.

The project can generate up to 1,400 direct jobs in Calatorao and its surroundings in the technology and construction sectors.

“Without a doubt, Blackstone has been able to glimpse the immense potential that Aragón has. This great company is aware that no other territory in Europe has the conditions to host data center campuses in the way that Aragon does”, said Azcón.

The Aragonese president remarked the ‘great project’ of the company in ‘a strategic sector for the future’ and recalled that this bet responds to the fact that ‘Aragon has the talent, a privileged geographical location, an enviable ability to generate clean energy, natural resources, industrial land in large quantities and at a very competitive price and an unalterable social peace’.

Blackstone sources have expressed their satisfaction at being able to land in the autonomous community: “We are delighted with this announcement and to be able to work with the Government of Aragon and the rest of the parties involved in this project.

About Blackstone

Blackstone is the world’s largest alternative asset manager. The firm seeks to deliver attractive returns to institutional and individual investors by strengthening the companies in which it invests.

Its assets under management, in excess of $1 trillion, include global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondary assets and hedge funds.

Categories
Aragon Technology Hub Sin categoría

New 15.7 billion euro investment by Amazon Web Services to expand its data centres in Aragon

The Amazon Web Services project will support the creation of 6,800 full-time jobs annually in Aragon between 2024 and 2033. 
The President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, announced this Wednesday the investment of 15.7 billion euros that Amazon Web Services (AWS) is going to make through its Cloud Region, located in Aragon, between 2024 and 2033, to expand its availability areas in the region, the largest economic investment by a company in the history of the autonomous region and the largest technological investment in Spain and southern Europe to date.  

In the words of the head of the regional government, ‘this new investment by AWS positions Aragon not only as a technological power in Spain, but also as a technological hub of the first order on a continental and global level’. 

Over the next decade, this project will support the creation of 17,500 full-time jobs per year in Spain, of which 6,800 will remain in Aragon. Of course, these new jobs will have an impact on the technology sector, but also on other economic areas of the autonomous community, which will benefit from the tractor effect of this initiative.  

The impact of this investment on Aragon’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will be colossal, around 12,900 million euros (of the 21,600 million euros expected to have an impact on Spain’s GDP), according to initial estimates. This figure is equivalent to more than 30% of Aragon’s current GDP which, at the end of 2022, the latest figure available, totalled 41,763 million euros. 

Also speaking at the announcement event was Suzana Curic, Managing Director of AWS in Spain and Portugal, who said: ‘Aragon was always our winning horse when we were considering where to locate our Region and our data centres. The availability of land, access to sustainable energy sources, a solid and consolidated business network, local talent and the huge growth potential were the main reasons why we had to be here. A year and a half after the opening of our centres, and with this new investment we are announcing today, we at AWS reinforce our commitment to Aragon and its people, as well as to Spain’. 

After announcing the investment, Azcón thanked Amazon Web Services for its decision to ‘choose our region to develop this historic project’. ‘Thank you for driving the transformation of our economy towards a more technological and sustainable model with such a promising future,’ he added. 

The president also congratulated the company ‘for having chosen the best possible place’. ‘Aragon has the talent, the natural resources, an international vocation and the privileged position to lead the changes that are going to shape our society’, he added. 

‘The Government of Aragon applauds your commitment and we will redouble our efforts to lead the European technology sector. We are going to do this through education, by multiplying the number of university places and vocational training degrees that are most in demand by companies. And, of course, as we announced last week, we are going to promote business activity related to technology through a large technology park of more than 40 hectares in Zaragoza that will come into being soon”, he added. 

AWS also highlighted its commitment to the training of talent and the
creation of technological jobs, recalling some of the different initiatives underway in Aragon, such as its Think Big Space programme to train students from local schools, or the different educational programmes available at a national level to help all kinds of audiences, from unemployed people looking to retrain, to more technical profiles who want to specialise, including programmes focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) initiatives to inspire young people to pursue technical studies in the future. 

The immense technological potential of Aragon 

President Azcón wanted to highlight that this new investment by Amazon Web Services responds to ‘the incredible potential of our land’. ‘Our geographical position allows us to be one of the main logistic hubs at national and European level and we have exceptional natural resources, which allow us to lead the generation of renewable energies’, he said. 

Furthermore, Aragon ‘enjoys a consolidated social peace, the same peace that has helped us decade after decade to grow within the competitive industrial market, because in Aragon we are all on the same side, on the side of dialogue and progress, of growth’. 

Source: Aragonhoy

Categories
Aragon Technology Hub

Microsoft announces its intention to build a data centre campus in Aragon to provide intelligent cloud services to European companies and public organisations

This new investment project by the company in Spain is in addition to the one already undertaken for the creation of Microsoft’s data centre region in Madrid, which will be available in the coming months. 
Microsoft’s planned new infrastructure in Spain could add 8.4 billion euros to national GDP and contribute to the creation of 69,000 indirect jobs in the period 2026 – 2030, according to an IDC analysis. 

Source: Microsoft

Microsoft plans to build a data centre campus in Aragon to provide cloud services to European companies and public bodies. The new infrastructure will add to the investment the company has made for the implementation of Microsoft’s data centre region in Madrid, which will be available in the coming months, and will offer all of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud services (Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform) to private and public customers in Europe, meeting regulatory, compliance and data sovereignty requirements. 

The campus that Microsoft plans to build will be a catalyst for innovation, economic growth and job creation in Aragon and the rest of Spain, helping to accelerate the digitisation of public and private organisations of all sizes and industries and driving the growth of the technology industry in Spain. According to an IDC analysis, the new data centre campus could add €8.4 billion to Spanish GDP and contribute to the creation of 69,000 indirect jobs in the period 2026 – 2030. 

Aragón, home to the new Project 

Aragon has positioned itself as one of the most important regions in Europe for the implementation of data centres, thanks to the availability of highly qualified talent, public support for innovation projects, the existence of high quality infrastructure, available land, and its geographical location. Microsoft’s project will foster innovation and the growth of the local technology industry in Aragon, where Microsoft has more than 300 companies in its ecosystem of technology partners. According to IDC, Microsoft’s data centre campus project could add 264 million euros to regional GDP and contribute to the creation of more than 2,100 technology jobs in Aragon between 2026 and 2030. 

“It fills me with great satisfaction that Aragón is consolidating its position as one of the leading European regions in a cutting-edge and strategic technological sector for the development of digitalisation and business innovation. The Microsoft project is a new incentive to Aragon’s vocation for attracting companies, especially those that, due to their international relevance and innovative nature, represent an extraordinary added value to the economy and the generation of wealth in our Autonomous Community.”

“The Government of Aragon is going to make every effort to implement this type of investment projects in the Autonomous Community, which will make a difference in generating a cutting-edge, highly technological economy and creating skilled jobs.” 

Jorge Azcón, President of the Government of Aragon

“Microsoft’s new investments in Spain will enable us to provide intelligent cloud solutions and services to businesses and public entities in Europe, fostering the digital transformation of businesses and public entities, driving innovation and contributing to the generation of new jobs in the technology sector in Aragon and the rest of Spain. We will work closely with national and regional governments and local authorities in building the data centre campus to ensure that people, businesses and society can take full advantage of the benefits of a digital world.”

Alberto Granados, president of Microsoft Spain