Barcelona’s Zona Franca (Customs-free zone) presses the accelerator with a 3-D impression incubator, a pioneering project in Europe

This is the first of four 4.0 economy projects that the Barcelona’s Consortium of the Customs-Free Zone (Consorci de la Zona Franca) will announce in 2018. A massive step for the Barcelona’s Customs-Free Zone, as it overtakes its European counterparts by promoting a privileged space for such essential sectors as biotechnology, the motor industry, metal-mechanical industry, chemistry, aerospace, among others. In the coming weeks, the tendering to businesses and entrepreneurs with relevant projects will be officially published. The headquarters of the Barcelona’s Consortium will have 600 square meter facilities for setting up its own development units in its premises to implement its incubator for a maximum of five years and privileged access to its machinery and 3-D/AM materials (Additive Manufacturing and New Materials).

The project aims to provide services to scientific, technological and entrepreneurial collectivities ready to implement the 3D/AM app, a transversal technology that will reinforce competitiveness of the business and entrepreneurial fabric of Catalonia in consolidated sectors and will facilitate technological transfer in the business sector of micro-small and medium-sized businesses and startups.

This is an excellent opportunity for Catalan innovative businesses, thanks to the joint collaboration of the Barcelona’s Consortium, the Technological Institute Leitat and the INCYDE Foundation. The president of the Barcelona’s Consortium, Jordi Cornet, has implemented a breakthrough strategic turn for the Logistics Park of the Barcelona’s Customs-Free Zone consisting in redirecting the technological industry and the 4.0 economy. Cornet announced an initial investment of 2.9 million euros obtained through FEDER and funds from the Consortium. Launching the incubator will consist in investing two million euros for purchasing technological equipment. According to Cornet, it is essential for the public sector “to help small and medium sized businesses understand the importance of entering the fourth industrial revolution”. The Consortium, holder of the incubator is responsible for the launch of the facility, acquisition of the basic equipment and implementation of its services. Leitat acts as the technological partner and is in charge of developing the incubator’s innovative strategy. The INCYDE Foundation will inject into the incubator project, passed by the EU, an overall investment of FEDER funds for European projects of 32.5 million euros.

The projects answering the call and, finally, selected will have an office available for managing and offering basic services, an area of design, production and post-processing, an area of co-working with flexible spaces, an area of offices for businesses requiring more than 15 square meters. They will also have modular conference rooms, common areas and a showroom space for display of additive manufacturing technologies, an exposition and informative area located in the basement of the headquarters of the Barcelona’s Consortium of the Customs-Free Zone.

The Consortium is a public company financed exclusively by its own funds obtained through renting of its industrial estate, situated in the Barcelona’s Customs-Free Zone, and through its property management. Dedicated to economic promotion, this entity seeks economic agreements and is formed by a plenary of representatives from the Spanish government, the Barcelona City Council and the main economic entities of Barcelona. Leitat is a Technological Institute with a history of over 100 years and 300 professionals. Leitat is established in five locations: Terrassa, Barcelona, Vilanova del Camí, Valencia and Chile and has a budget of over 30 million euros. The INCYDE Foundation is an institution set up in 1999 and is formed by all the Spanish Chambers of Commerce. It aims to foster entrepreneurship and consolidation of businesses through innovation.