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INDUSTRIAL SECTOR
The importance of a good environment
Cantabria has implemented a new concept of development driven by the creation of different clusters and the attraction of companies within the scope of digitization, new technologies and the development of an industry 4.0.
Advanced machinery
The oldest traditional sector in Cantabria, is made up of machinery manufacturing companies and metallurgical companies.
Automotive industry
It represents 26% of total GDP. In our region there are companies from the entire automotive industry chain.
Chemical industry
Manufacture of basic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and plastic and fiber products.
Agri-food industry
Food manufacturing and processing industries (with a great weight in the canning sector) and beverage industries.
Biotech and health sector
IBBTEC (Institute of Biomedicine and Technology) and IDIVAL (Institute of Training and Research Marqués de Valdecilla).
Renewable energies
IH Cantabria arose thanks to the collaboration between the University of Cantabria and the Government of Cantabria.
Information and communication
Fast growth thanks to the Science and Technology Park and the new Business Accelerators (Xtela).
Logistics pole
Strategic location for the development of European logistics nodes thanks to land, sea and air connections.
GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES
Focused on success
Cantabria has implemented a new concept of development driven by the creation of different clusters and the attraction of companies within the scope of digitization, new technologies and the development of an industry 4.0.
SOCIODEMOGRAPHY
The importance of a good environment
Cantabria is always located among the Spanish regions with the highest quality of life, offering a perfect combination between rural landscapes, sea, mountain, gastronomy, sports (especially surfing, golf and skiing) and a healthy and attractive environment for those who bet to reside in our community.
Population
589.765 population (109 population per km2) and 5,320m2.
Regional GDP
13.846M. of regionl GDP (€23.730 per capita) and 17.54% GDP in exports
Competitiveness
Absence of labor conflicts and competitive wages (unemployment rate 7.5%)
STRATEGIC LOCATION
Discover the opportunity that investing in Cantabria represents
- Strategic location
- Airports
- Port of Santander
- Free zone in the port of Santander
- Scientific and technological park
- SICAN - Industrial land in Cantabria
- New industrial estate LA PASIEGA
INVEST IN SPAIN
Discover Cantabria
Cantabria, and its capital Santander, are directly and closely connected with the rest of Europe, with an unbeatable strategic location, with competitive and modern infrastructures.
AIRPORTS
Santander (10 km from downtown)
- More than 1.174.896 passengers used our airport in 2019
- Local destinations: Alicante, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Ibiza, Madrid, Malaga, Menorca, Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
- International destinations: Birmingham, Bologna, Brussels, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Marrakech, Milan, Paris, Rome and Vienna.
Additional info: aena.es

PORTS
Port of Santander
Santander is the port that has grown the highest percentage among the ports of northern Spain and the second in the entire Spanish port system. Especially relevant to our port are solid bulk traffic, liquid bulks and Ro-Ro traffic (vehicles).
Additional info: puertosantander.es

PORTS
Free zone in the port of Santander
Take advantage of all the customs and fiscal advantages that protect free zones, the digitalization of all processes and technological innovation applied surveillance and control and facilities (warehouses, tanks and soil) in strategic places of high logistical value.
Additional info: zonafrancasantander.es

Scientific And Technological Park
The Cantabria Science and Technological Park (PCTCAN), located in Santander, is a fundamental tool of our region aimed at enhancing the development and socioeconomic well-being of the Autonomous Community. It operates as an engine of scientific and technological culture and the development of the R&D in Cantabria.
It is a space that groups and encourages the creation of innovative companies based on science and technology and the development of knowledge.
SICAN - Industrial land of Cantabria
SICAN is a public capital company that aims at the development of modern and quality industrial soil, urbanizing industrial spaces and providing them with the necessary infrastructures for the efficient implementation of new industry in Cantabria.
New industrial estate LA PASIEGA
The new industrial estate La Pasiega will be the cornerstone that will generate the new opportunities and regional economic development. With an area of 200 hectares and a next generation intermodal terminal, it’s already the focus of attention among investors and media.
INVESTIGATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Universities and reference research centers
- International University Menendez Pelayo (UIMP)
- Component Technology Center (CTC)
- Cantabria Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology - IBBTE
- Institute of Physics of Cantabria - IFCA
- Environmental Hydraulic Institute (IH Cantabria)
- Hospital Virtual and IDIVAL (Valdecilla Institute for Health Research)
- European University of the Atlantic
- Cesine University Center
- University of Cantabria
International University Menendez Pelayo (UIMP)
Our capital, Santander, is home of the International University Menendez Pelayo, a reference in terms of summer courses of recognized worldwide prestige in all areas of relevance.

Component Technology Center (CTC)
CTC provides knowledge applied to high-value solutions for clients. Its main objective is to consolidate itself as a centre of reference for innovation in Cantabria and as a qualified innovative agent on other markets.
The Fields of Activity of CTC are: industry and energy, navigation and robotics, advanced materials and nanomaterials, industry 4.0.

Cantabria Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology - IBBTEC
The Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of Cantabria (IBBTEC) is a jointly owned center shared between the University of Cantabria (UC), the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the Regional Government through SODERCAN.
Their mission is to carry out quality scientific research in the biological field.

Institute of Physics of Cantabria - IFCA
The fundamental objective of the Institute of Physics of Cantabria is high quality scientific research in the fields of astrophysics and the structure of matter.

Environmental Hydraulic Institute (IH Cantabria)
IH Cantabria was created on March 22 when two research groups from the Advanced School for Civil Engineering at the Universidad de Cantabria, which had been engaged in intensive scientific-technical activity in subjects related to continental and coastal water engineering, combined into one.

Hospital Virtual and IDIVAL (Valdecilla Institute for Health Research)

European University of the Atlantic

Cesine University Center

University of Cantabria
Our University is among the leading Spanish universities in terms of its quality of teaching and its high capacity for innovation and adaptation to the demands of the market.
College of Sciences Degrees
- Degree in Physics
- Degree in Mathematics
- Degree in Computer Systems
- Degree in Telecommunication Technologies
Vocational Training
- Managing networked computer systems
- Web application development
- Cross-platform application development

INFRASTRUCTURES
Clusters and development poles
Cantabria, and its capital Santander, are directly and closely connected with the rest of Europe, with an unbeatable strategic location, and competitive and modern infrastructures.
Xtela - Brand-New Company Accelerator
Business accelerator for technological-based projects with a large innovative component, in which different acceleration systems are combined for the successful development of the different business models that are part of it.
Gira Cantabria - Automotive Sector
Business association that brings together manufacturers of automotive components, automotive auxiliary industries and public, business and social entities from the regional area of the Autonomous Community of Cantabria and its capital Santander.
Information And Communication Technologies Cluster
Recently, the first steps have been taken for the establishment of a Cluster that brings together companies in the region in the field of the ICT sector, increasingly present in the industrial development of Cantabria.
In addition, the ASCENTIC association brings together the most representative companies in the Information and Communications Technologies sector.
Cinc - Nuclear Industry
The Nuclear Industry Cluster of Cantabria (CINC), is a business organization that was born as a meeting point between all agents and companies in the nuclear industry sector in our region.
Sea of Innovation
Sea of Innovation Cantabria Cluster aims to integrate all actors operating in the marine energy sector in Cantabria, to promote it as a centre of excellence within the national and international market.
Marca - Maritime Cluster
CLUSTER MARCA, with the aim of promoting cooperation, commercial and technological development of Cantabria’s maritime industries and activities.
Defense Cluster
The first Spanish cluster that brings together more than 18 companies related to the scope of defense, including naval scope, electronics and communications.
Cluster of fire related companies
SODERCAN pilots the project to create an association around fire-retardant properties in branches such as textiles or construction.
Cluster of Health
New partnership that revolves around the entire value chain of the health environment.
SOCIODEMOGRAPHY
Clusters and development poles
Cantabria, and its capital Santander, are directly and closely communicated with the rest of Europe, with an unbeatable strategic location, and competitive and modern infrastructures.

INVESTIN CANTABRIA
SODERCAN is the Regional Development Agency of Cantabria



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