Fagor Ederlan relies heavily on natural gas to manufacture automotive components. The company aims to meet European Union targets to shrink emissions, targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 by 2032. Patxi Rodríguez, the firm’s director of materials and new technologies, notes that this will be achieved through electrifying suitable processes and advancing initiatives with green hydrogen. Porcelanosa encounters similar hurdles, especially with high-temperature workflows, according to Jorge Fábregat, head of quality and environment. Although the path to fully decarbonizing operations remains uncertain due to immature technology, the firms are optimistic about a future built on hybrid methods that combine electrification with biogas or green hydrogen.
These two companies share a common industry mindset. The Q-Zero Alliance, driven by Iberdrola, unites 40 international firms to drive decarbonization across the sector. The alliance includes prominent names as well as smaller players, with Spanish enterprises such as Ferrovial, Bayer, Heineken, Tubos Reunidos, BP, Castillo de Canena, and Abbatta textile among its participants. Some members, like Abbatta, rely on electricity for painting parts, since much of the process remains manual; still, they emphasize the importance of raising awareness and have installed solar panels to reduce carbon footprints.
During the alliance’s unveiling, Iberdrola’s administrative chief stressed the commitment to using clean energy. He asserted that stable energy prices for customers will follow, alongside greater access to external resources and reduced dependence on other nations for energy. He also highlighted that this collaboration should lower price volatility across all sectors, especially industry, amid global disruptions such as the war in Ukraine and the current energy crisis in the Sea Red. The initiative promotes a transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable options. Q-Cero’s objective is to bring together the public and private sectors under a single umbrella, enabling value-chain and management-wide alliances. The message was clear: collective action is necessary to reach a sustainable process, and it carries a moral duty to leave a healthier planet for young generations.
The alliance’s launch underscores a core principle: public-private collaboration is essential to strengthening the region’s industrial base. The discussion featured industry leaders who outlined a pathway for decarbonization, emphasizing collaboration as the key to progress. The initiative coincides with the application window for the Industrial Decarbonization Perte program, which allocates a substantial funding envelope. Government officials reiterated that Spain can capitalize on its renewable energy advantages, noting that clean energy production is a strategic asset. Leaders also framed the transition as a demand from investors, society, and younger generations, calling it a defining moment to embrace cooperative efforts. Experts from academic and research institutions accentuated the role of technology and innovation in advancing decarbonization across sectors, including manufacturing, energy, and logistics.
In this evolving landscape, major manufacturers and energy providers are aligning strategies to reduce emissions while maintaining competitiveness. The conversation centers on practical steps, including electrifying suitable workflows, deploying green hydrogen where viable, and integrating solar and other renewables. The result is a comprehensive approach that reduces carbon intensity and stabilizes energy costs. The emphasis on collaboration signals a shift toward more transparent supply chains and accountable governance, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes and shared success across the value chain.
Industry leaders stressed the importance of dialogue and coordinated action. The message from executives and policymakers is clear: the decarbonization journey requires ongoing partnerships and practical solutions that scale across borders. The public-private framework seeks to harness innovation, reduce emissions, and foster a resilient industrial ecosystem that can weather geopolitical and market shifts while delivering cleaner energy to consumers.