Carles Navarro: “Chemistry is the engine of the energy transition and the circular economy”

Carles Navarro, President of the Organizing Committee of Expoquimia 2026 and former General Manager of BASF Spain, is one of the most influential voices in advocating for sustainability in the chemical industry. In this interview, he shares his vision on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector at a crucial moment for promoting decarbonization, innovation, and competitiveness across all industrial sectors, as will be showcased at the exhibition, which will take place from 2 to 5 June at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue.

How would you define the current situation and potential of the chemical industry in Spain?

The Spanish chemical industry is at a moment of change, facing many challenges but also demonstrating enormous strength. In just a few years, it has consolidated as one of the country’s main industrial engines, to the point of becoming the leading export industry in the Spanish economy, with a growing presence in markets outside the EU and an annual turnover exceeding €80 billion. This shows that we are talking about a powerful, resilient, and highly internationalized sector, capable of continuing to grow even in complex environments. The challenge now is to leverage this position to accelerate investment in decarbonization, digitalization, and innovation, while operating within a regulatory framework that does not undermine our competitiveness compared to other global chemical hubs.

That said, it is important to recognize that not all segments of the Spanish chemical industry are evolving at the same pace. Basic chemicals, for example, have seen several years of declining activity and face more moderate prospects than other, more dynamic areas. This highlights the need to implement targeted measures to strengthen competitiveness and ensure balanced sector growth.

The chemical industry is strategic for countless sectors, including mobility, energy, pharmaceuticals, construction, and food. What role should chemistry play in accelerating the competitiveness and decarbonization of Spain’s industrial fabric?

Chemistry is the engine driving the transition toward a circular, low-carbon economy. It plays an absolutely crucial role in transforming the world. Virtually 98% of productive activities require chemistry at some point in their value chain. There is no decarbonized, circular, or energy-transition future without chemistry.

However, the chemical industry faces a dual strategic challenge. On one hand, we must transform ourselves—decarbonizing our own production processes. At the same time, we need to provide innovative solutions to our customers so that they can transform as well. We are part of the solution, but this requires a coordinated strategy among companies, government, and research institutions. Spain has global leaders in chemistry who can drive this transformation not just locally, but as a benchmark for Europe. However, we need administrations to listen.

As you point out, the transition to renewable energy and circular processes is one of the greatest challenges. What barriers do you see as most critical, and what does the sector need to advance more quickly?

Without a doubt, energy is the main barrier: we need to electrify all our processes using sufficient, stable, and competitively priced renewable energy. Spain has the potential to be the top European destination for industrial investment due to its access to clean energy, but it must invest in generation, infrastructure, and distribution to ensure supply.

It is also essential to simplify regulations. We have reached a point where bureaucracy does not accelerate sustainability—it sometimes slows it down. We need the administration to simplify procedures and understand that sustainable innovation requires flexibility.

Finally, access to disruptive technologies at scale and at a reasonable cost must be facilitated. This is where the public sector must play a crucial role, supporting R&D&I that allows these technologies to move from the lab to industry in record time.

Which disruptive technologies do you see closest to widespread adoption in the next decade for decisively transforming industrial processes?

Beyond electrification and digitalization, we will see some sustainable technologies make a decisive leap. For example, green hydrogen will become common in industries that currently rely on fossil energy sources. It is a clean fuel, with zero emissions in production and use, and enormous potential to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify.

Significant progress will also occur in CO₂ capture, storage, and utilization technologies. These technologies not only prevent CO₂ from reaching the atmosphere but can transform it into new materials, synthetic fuels, or chemical products.

Chemical recycling will become increasingly relevant for recovering plastics and waste that currently cannot be efficiently recycled and often end up incinerated or in landfills. This process allows the recovery of basic molecules to produce high-quality materials practically equivalent to fossil-based ones. It is pure circular economy. The technology already exists but needs to scale exponentially.

Digital transformation is also a priority for the chemical industry. How can digitalization drive sustainability and efficiency without compromising industrial competitiveness?

Digitalization is a strategic ally for the chemical industry. Not only does it improve operational efficiency, but it also accelerates sustainability. Tools such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and advanced analytics allow for process optimization, energy consumption forecasting, waste reduction before it occurs, and proactive incident management, enhancing plant safety and efficiency. All of this also positively impacts the industry’s competitiveness and its ability to adapt to changing environments.

The chemical industry is essential to our daily lives but often generates mistrust. What should change in the way the sector communicates so society better understands its contribution to wellbeing and sustainability?

First, we must act. We need to genuinely transform our companies into safe, innovative, and circular models before explaining this to society with humility and transparency, always using data and facts. We must open our doors, explain what we do and why, acknowledge remaining challenges, and demonstrate that we are actively working to reduce environmental impact.

At the same time—which I believe is very important—we as a sector must communicate much more effectively that chemistry is part of the solution to major social challenges—renewable energy, health, safe food, sustainable cities—always relying on evidence and real projects, not just messages. This is how trust is built.

In a sector where innovation is key, how do you assess both talent and technology transfer in the chemical industry to achieve a sustainable transformation?

The Spanish chemical industry leads R&D&I investment and has highly qualified talent, supported by universities and centers of technological excellence.

Nevertheless, collaboration between companies, academia, and government must be further strengthened to accelerate technology transfer and bring innovation from the lab to the market faster. Additionally, it is essential to incorporate young and digital profiles to ensure generational renewal and cover the skills required by the sector’s transformation.

Considering the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, are you optimistic about the Spanish chemical industry’s ability to achieve it? What decisions need to be made now to make this goal attainable?

I am optimistic but realistic. The chemical industry has the knowledge and the will to lead this green transition, but it needs an environment that promotes competitiveness. Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 requires immediate and bold decisions, such as guaranteeing abundant, stable, and affordable renewable energy, and implementing policies that facilitate investment in decarbonization rather than hindering innovation. It is also necessary to leverage European funds to create a sustainable industrial ecosystem. Above all, we must recognize that this goal can only be reached through collective effort among companies, administrations, and society.

What role do you think Expoquimia should play in accelerating the adoption of these technologies and connecting key sector stakeholders?

Expoquimia must—and will—be the great voice of change. It is the largest gathering of the chemical industry in Southern Europe. Its role is to energize the market, facilitate contact between exhibitors and potential buyers from different industrial sectors, and, above all, showcase innovation and the chemical sector’s ability to positively impact the sustainability and efficiency of any production process.

Finally, as President of Expoquimia, what message would you like to convey to professionals and companies considering participating in the fair next June? What can Expoquimia offer them?

Expoquimia 2026 will be a transformative edition. We will be more open than ever to the entire value chain. We will feature process industries that use chemistry as main protagonists: automotive, renewable energy, food, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, agrochemicals, construction, plastics… because chemistry is involved in the manufacture of virtually everything around us.

We offer a unique platform to connect with industry leaders, understand the latest innovations in sustainability and digitalization, and discover solutions to make industrial processes more efficient. But above all, a space to understand that without chemistry, a sustainable future is impossible.

Barcelona, December 2025

More information: www.expoquimia.com

Photos of Carles Navarro, President of Expoquimia 2026 here
Photos (Expoquimia 2023) here

Maria Dolores Herranz
Tel. +34 93 233 25 41
mdherranz@firabarcelona.com