The National Pact for Industry (PNI) includes support for initiatives that promote the decarbonization of the petrochemical complex in Tarragona, as well as fostering sectoral agreements to reduce corporate CO2 emissions. This was highlighted by the Minister of Business, Miquel Sàmper, during the plan's presentation in Tarragona, noting that "the Catalan chemical sector is weathering the crisis better than the European one".
The pact, signed on Monday between the Government, unions, and employers, aims to promote and expand new industrial estates in the region, including Catalunya Sud in Tortosa, those in Alió and Vila-rodona (Alt Camp), and smaller ones like the one in Bot (Terra Alta).
The PNI seeks to lead the decarbonization of Tarragona's chemical industry, with the goal of "accompanying" companies in reducing emissions and achieving a more sustainable production model. Measures include a specific support plan, sectoral agreements for emission reduction, and financial aid for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects. Sàmper emphasized that "the reconversion of the chemical sector" depends on decarbonization, stating that "we must push for it to become a reality".
Regarding Terres de l’Ebre, the Minister of Business highlighted its role in energy production and its industrial fabric focused on agri-food transformation, the furniture industry, and construction materials. He also stressed the importance of "public services" to facilitate workers' access to their factories.
To attract established companies and new investments, the PNI plans the creation of new industrial land through the Institut Català del Sòl (Incasòl). The director of Residential Land and Economic Activity at Incasòl, Jordi Salvat, announced that initial approval of the PDU for Vila-rodona and Alió (Alt Camp) is expected in July, covering 230 hectares, including a 130-hectare plot with an estimated investment of 60 million euros. The Catalunya Sud industrial estate project in Tortosa (360 hectares) also anticipates initial approval, though no specific date has been set.
The Incasòl executive also focused on "more local but equally important" projects, such as those in Móra d’Ebre and Bot. The latter, spanning 4.7 hectares, will be funded by Nuclear Transition Funds. Sàmper noted that the world is undergoing "an industrial and technological revolution" and that maintaining the country's industrial fabric and competitiveness requires economic transformation.
Following the presentation, the minister met with representatives of the STR union from the chemical company DOW, which recently announced its intention to lay off 138 workers in Spain, the majority in Tarragona. The workers expressed their "concern" regarding the lack of information about the reasons for the job cuts and their potential impact on the industrial future of the Camp de Tarragona.
“"In Tarragona, no one is surplus, and this unilateral plan makes no sense."
The workers have requested the minister to establish a tripartite table (Generalitat, DOW management, workers' representation) to explore alternatives to layoffs. Sàmper expressed the Department's support for affected workers and assured that the Government would act "with determination in their professional accompaniment," highlighting the Government's commitment to reindustrialization and the "strategic" role of the chemical sector for Catalonia.
