Spain is a leading strategic platform for investment in the chemical sector in Europe. Its robust industrial base, excellent logistics connectivity and extensive network of regional hubs capable of accommodating new industrial projects strengthen its role in the sector across Europe. They are indeed factors that place our country in a strong position to attract investment linked to both the boosting of production capabilities and the development of new value chains associated with energy and industrial transformation.

This is one of the main conclusions of the “Invest in Chemicals, Invest in Spain: Spain as a strategic platform for investment in chemicals” report, produced by the Spanish Chemical Industry Federation (Feique) and ICEX Invest in Spain, and presented in the Smart Chemistry space at Expoquimia 2026 alongside the list of industrial zones in the Spanish chemical sector. Both tools are designed to showcase Spain’s capabilities as a destination for chemical industry investment.

Competitive advantages
The report is the result of a partnership that Feique and ICEX Invest in Spain have maintained for more than ten years and sets out the competitive advantages of Spain’s chemical sector in attracting new industrial projects linked to energy and industrial transformation, this in a European context shaped by the need to strengthen competitiveness, strategic industrial autonomy and the resilience of value chains.

The list of industrial zones in Spain’s chemical sector complements the Invest in Chemicals report and makes it easier to identify sites with potential for new industrial projects. It is a network of more than 50 industrial sites spread across the 17 autonomous communities, showcasing the diversity and extensive reach of Spain’s chemical hubs.

The chemical industry is Spain’s second-largest industrial sector, with turnover exceeding €85.4 billion, accounting for 12% of industrial GDP and 4% of national GDP. It also generates more than one million direct, indirect and induced jobs, accounting for 6.7% of the salaried workforce, being the largest exporter in the Spanish economy and the leading industrial investor in R&D&I.

International reach
At a time of intense global competition, Feique believes that it is essential to strengthen Spain’s international profile as an investment destination for the chemicals sector. Its Director of Internationalisation, Investment and Innovation, María Eugenia Anta, highlights that Spain “offers distinctive conditions for attracting investment in the chemical sector: a solid industrial base, consolidated regional clusters, logistical connectivity and technological capabilities”.

Meanwhile, ICEX Invest in Spain’s Director of Foreign Direct Investment Projects, Vanesa Álvarez, notes that “foreign investment is a key driver of the development and transformation of Spain’s chemical sector, as it fosters innovation, competitiveness and integration into global value chains. At ICEX Invest in Spain, we work to help attract projects that make an impact on the industrial base and contribute to strengthening the national ecosystem.”

^{Photo: Feique}