Xavier Roca: Refrigeration and HVAC systems play a particularly important role in Catalan industry

How important is Catalonia's business community, and what does it contribute to the wider economy?

The business community is essential because it generates wealth and high-quality employment, strengthens Catalonia's competitiveness and contributes to the country's overall economic growth. As you know, Catalonia is a region characterised by small and medium-sized enterprises, and one of our challenges is to help these companies grow and become more competitive.

Industry currently accounts for almost 20% of Catalonia's GDP, rising to more than 50% when associated services are included.

What are the main challenges currently facing Catalan industry?

In the current climate, businesses face major challenges, including modernisation, increasing their scale, expanding internationally, strengthening industrial activity and moving towards a more sustainable and competitive economy. In this respect, companies must adapt technologically to an increasingly dynamic global environment.

The Government of Catalonia is also committed to the reindustrialisation of the region, recognising industry as a strategic sector for generating high-quality employment and improving economic competitiveness. The National Pact for Industry 2026–2030 will be the main instrument guiding industrial policy over the coming years. The Government of Catalonia plans to mobilise at least €5 billion during this period through 190 initiatives. 

How important is public-private collaboration for business development?

Public-private collaboration is essential for strengthening Catalonia's industry and business community. It enables the development of shared industrial policies, brings together the knowledge and experience of all economic and social stakeholders, and supports progress towards a more competitive, sustainable and resilient industrial sector.

A clear example is the National Pact for Industry that I mentioned earlier. The document was developed through an extensive consultation and negotiation process involving 44 implementing bodies within the Government of Catalonia, business organisations and trade unions, chambers of commerce, universities, professional associations and technology centres. 

How important are HVAC and refrigeration systems in ensuring the smooth operation of industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, as well as hospitality, foodservice, large retail outlets, hospitals and data centres?

Refrigeration and HVAC systems (heating, cooling and ventilation) play a particularly important role in industry. They are essential for ensuring business continuity and the economic viability of some of the most strategically important sectors of our society.

We must distinguish between two types of installations. On the one hand, HVAC systems are designed to ensure people's thermal wellbeing and comfort, while also meeting other requirements established by Spain's Regulation on Thermal Installations in Buildings (RITE), including energy efficiency and safety. These systems are found in offices and buildings open to the public, such as hospitals, hotels, shopping centres and restaurants, where indoor air quality and occupant comfort are both technical and legal requirements that must be met.

On the other hand, refrigeration systems are regulated by Royal Decree 552/2019 of 27 September and are designed to preserve products and raw materials, as well as support production processes in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and food processing. In other words, their purpose is to ensure product integrity. In these cases, the main requirements relate to safety, maintaining the cold chain and ensuring food safety. These are critically important considerations, as failure to meet these requirements, or inefficient system design, could jeopardise the economic viability of businesses.