DFactory Barcelona brings together the main European Chambers of Commerce

• Representatives of the German, British, Italian and French Chambers gain first-hand insight into the DFactory Barcelona model as a driving force of Industry 4.0 and a gateway to Industry 5.0.

• Pere Navarro and Blanca Sorigué explained to European business leaders the industrial paradigm shift driven by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, focused on collaboration, talent and applied innovation.

Barcelona, April 30, 2026.- The leading European Chambers of Commerce have visited DFactory Barcelona, where they were welcomed by Pere Navarro, Executive President of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), and Blanca Sorigué, Chief Executive Officer of the CZFB. The visit was attended by Almudena Sánchez, Managing Director of the German Chamber of Commerce; Laura Byrne, Managing Director of the British Chamber of Commerce; Christian Marion, Managing Director of the French Chamber of Commerce; and Federica Falzetta, Managing Director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce.

During the meeting, the Executive President and the CEO of the CZFB explained to the Chamber representatives how the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona has evolved in recent years into a key player in the new industrial economy. From a traditional role focused on industrial land management, it has transformed into a model that generates innovation ecosystems capable of connecting business, technology and talent. In this regard, Pere Navarro stated: “The shift from an industrial estate to a district is not just a matter of terminology; it represents a change in philosophy. We are creating a living space where culture, entertainment and, of course, industrial innovation coexist. This district is located in a unique enclave, next to the Port of Barcelona and the airport, and connected to the city, which allows us to attract talent, investment and economic activity.”

In this context, the Executive President of the CZFB also highlighted the ambition of DFactory Barcelona within this transformation: “DFactory will become a benchmark space in Barcelona and across Europe, a place where industry, technology and talent come together to create new opportunities.”

For her part, Blanca Sorigué, CEO of the CZFB, emphasized the real impact DFactory is having as a driver of industrial transformation: “This cannot be explained with words alone; you need to see it to truly understand what we are building and the scope of the transformation we are driving. In 2025 alone, more than 5,000 professionals visited DFactory, demonstrating the strong interest this model is generating. In the second phase, we aim to make a significant leap forward, with the goal of reaching 15,000 professionals per year.”

Sorigué also underlined the innovative nature of the project: “We have created a new model—an environment where collaboration between companies, technology and talent translates into tangible results. This year alone, 63 patents have been developed within the ecosystem, reflecting the remarkable level of innovation being generated here. We are building an environment where innovation ceases to be a concept and becomes a reality, with a direct impact on industry and the economy.”

During the meeting held this morning with representatives of the leading European Chambers of Commerce, the CZFB explained that its vision goes beyond the present. Currently, DFactory Barcelona, with 45 companies located on-site, is operating at 100% occupancy. This has led to an expansion with four new buildings, scheduled to be available by the end of this year, allowing the facility to grow from its current 17,000 square metres to a total of 60,000 square metres.

The Barcelona Free Trade Zone has become a true urban laboratory for European industry—a replicable model that positions Barcelona as a benchmark for Industry 4.0 and as a gateway to Industry 5.0, which is more human, sustainable and technological. A space where physical proximity fosters daily collaboration and where startups, large corporations and technology centres naturally work together to turn innovation into business.