The Vallès area, next to Barcelona, may become a top innovation cluster
A collaborative study has shown great possibilities for economic development along the B-30 highway outside of Barcelona, in the area of Vallès. Researchers see collaboration between universities and businesses as an “essential” part of this process.
Sant Cugat del Vallès (ACN).- A study done by three Universitat de Barcelona (UB) professors and the Centre of Industrial Economics showed great industrial potential for the municipalities along the B-30 highway in the county of Vallès Occidental, in the Barcelona metropolitan area. The study also suggests the need “to exploit” opportunities for collaboration between businesses and universities in the area. Researchers are suggesting that collaboration is “essential” for the consolidation of an industrial and university competitive structure. They believe that the area, called ‘the B-30 axis’ could be the next leading cluster for innovation in the Mediterranean.
This was the main conclusion of the study entitled ‘Industrial and Technological Structure and Design in the Tram Central municipalities of the AP-7/B-30’ supported by the Centre of Industrial Economics – founded by the Catalan Ministry of Innovation, Universities and Enterprise, the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Professors Joaquim Solà, Xavier Sàez and Montserrat Termes of the UB conducted the study.
The investigation pointed out a change in the industrial climate of the area with the arrival of many new businesses. According to the study, this has contributed to a wider variety of companies. Some of the elements that made this change possible were the construction of important road infrastructures such as the B-30 highway and the installation of new, well communicated industrial plots. ‘The B-30 axis’ unites the western and north-western cities that surround Barcelona: Sabadell, Terrassa, Rubí, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès, Ripollet and Sant Quirze del Vallès.
The study highlighted several innovative companies in the pharmaceutical, chemical and textile industries along the B-30. According to the study, the companies are very diverse, representing small, medium and large companies as well as transnational corporations.
The study suggests great possibilities for economic development in the territory. It highlighted the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and ALBA synchrotron, the most important scientific infrastructure ever build in Spain.