DFactory Barcelona District

The updated 2025–2029 Strategic Plan of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) focuses on three main pillars: the territory’s economic and social development, the urban integration of District 4.0, and its ESG strategy, centred on key principles of governance, sustainability and equality. These are complemented by a fourth pillar: long-term financial sustainability, generating the resources needed to support the other three strategic pillars.

The Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) has renewed its commitment to workplace diversity and inclusion by signing Fundación Diversidad’s Diversity Charter, Europe’s largest business movement promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Charter is a manifesto promoting 10 European principles that reflect the commitment of businesses and institutions to equal opportunities at work.

CZFB’s Director General, Blanca Sorigué, attended the 11th World Free Zones Congress, which brought together more than 2,000 participants from 160 countries and over 100 speakers. Sorigué was re-elected Vice President of the World Free Zones Organization, a position she has held since May 2023. Mohamed Alzarooni will continue to serve as the organisation’s global President.

DFactory Barcelona, the heart of District 4.0, an initiative led by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, is moving forward with its expansion project, which will increase its current footprint from 17,000 m² to 60,000 m² by the end of 2026. DFactory Barcelona has become a leading international Industry 4.0 ecosystem, already home to more than 40 companies developing and using the technologies that define and shape Industry 4.0.

The Prime Minister of Spain gained first-hand insight into the projects being developed by the 40 companies based in the internationally renowned Industry 4.0 ecosystem led by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB). Accompanied by CZFB’s Director General, Blanca Sorigué, Pedro Sánchez also took an interest in the projects of the start-ups participating in BNEW 2025.

The CZFB is moving forward with the creation of a leading smart connected driving lab, equipped with the infrastructure needed to improve mobility and road safety. As part of this initiative, the Zona Franca industrial estate became a testing ground for a connected vehicle in real traffic conditions for several days. The trial enabled technical checks on the installed equipment and validation of 5G network coverage.

“Feel the ZF Power” aims to introduce schoolchildren to industry and the 4.0 economy, inspiring interest in future careers in these fields. The fourth edition of this CZFB programme once again featured learning routes focused on mobility, the 4.0 economy, chemistry, recycling and logistics. This edition welcomed students from Institut Doctor Puigvert, Institut Elisabet, Escola La Mar Bella and Escola Poeta Foix.

Barcelona has become the first free zone in the world to receive the OECD’s security and transparency certification. This new certification recognises the Barcelona Free Zone as a global benchmark for its business model focused on innovation, Industry 4.0 and sustainability, as well as its strong commitment to transparent management and security in international trade. The certification was presented at the Forum on Countering Illicit Trade, held at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

The Barcelona Free Zone Women’s Council, which brings together 26 companies that have helped drive key equality initiatives, celebrated its fifth anniversary by reviewing its main areas of action and achievements. Meanwhile, BWAW, a leading event for advancing gender equality, concluded its fifth edition with a call for greater equality and more female talent in business.

The Plenary Council of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) approved the 2024 accounts, reporting an ordinary profit of €29.7 million. In 2024, the CZFB recorded turnover of €65.5 million, an increase of €2.4 million over the previous year. The organisation’s net assets total €654 million. The CZFB is a public entity financed through its own funds and the management of its assets, with all profits reinvested in driving innovation and stimulating the economy.