Málaga TechPark closes 2024 with record figures in billing and employment

Malaga/The Andalusia Technology Park (PTA) once again presents record results for the year 2024: the turnover of the companies at Malaga TechPark reached 4.181 billion euros, a 21% increase, while the number of jobs last year reached 27,940, an 11.3% increase (almost three thousand more people in one year), as reported today by the technopolis, the spearhead of the province's tech ecosystem which is in the midst of expanding its area, which will also allow it to double the number of companies and jobs.

It is noteworthy that the Cotec Foundation stated a few days ago that in the province of Malaga there are 27,676 employees in the technological segment, which represents 3.8% of the total jobs in the province, correlating the income level with the proportion of the workforce in this sector. It is true that almost all of the jobs at the PTA are technological, but not 100%, and there is a clear correlation between the fact that the employment at the park is practically identical to that of the province, hence some of the challenges include forging alliances and adding to the public investment strategy for technology with companies located outside the metropolis and, on the other hand, completing the expansion of the park, after the same report assured that in Malaga capital there are 20,000 technological workers, while Seville is close to 32,000 and, in the comparison between cities of between 200,000 and more than 500,000 inhabitants, the city on the Costa del Sol occupies the 15th position in terms of percentage of jobs over the total jobs, with Vigo being the first city on the list.

The Minister of Economy, Finance and Public Funds and president of Malaga TechPark, Carolina España, has positively assessed last year's results. "2024 was extraordinary for Malaga TechPark. We have set records in employment and turnover and the Malaga technopolis consolidates itself as a benchmark in innovation and technological development," she explained, adding, "It is a growth resulting from talent, investment, and collaboration between companies and institutions. We will continue to promote the attraction of new companies and foster excellence so that Malaga continues to be a leading technological hub at both national and international levels."

With reference to the R&D investment of the companies and institutions in the park, this increased by 12% compared to the previous year, amounting to 173 million euros and an increase in the number of employees working in this area by 2.5%, which represents 2,860 people.

The Information Technology sector (Electronics, Information, Computing, and Telecommunications) continues to be the most prominent sector. More than a third of the park's companies are engaged in activities related to this sector and employ 55% of the total workforce.

In terms of investment, since its inception in 1992, the park has reached 991 million euros, with private investment representing 80.3%. During 2024, this figure was 37 million euros, a 14% increase from the previous year and with private investment representing 88% of the total.

With reference to the R&D investment of the companies and institutions in the park, this increased by 8% compared to the previous year, amounting to 187 million euros and an increase in the number of employees working in this area by 7.5%, which represents a total of 3,076 people.

Implementation of IMEC

Among the new implementation projects during the year, undoubtedly, the semiconductor manufacturing and design center of IMEC, headquartered in Leuven (Belgium), a global leader in cutting-edge nanotechnology and semiconductor research, stands out. In this regard, Malaga TechPark requested in February a specific modification of the Ordinances of the Partial Plan SUS-CA 10–1st Phase of PTA expansion for the implementation of the IMEC Project, approved by the Malaga City Council in September 2024.

"The arrival of IMEC in Malaga marks a milestone in the consolidation of Malaga and Andalusia as a strategic center for innovation and high technology in Europe. Its commitment to our ecosystem reinforces the positioning of Malaga TechPark in key sectors such as microelectronics and semiconductors, generating new opportunities for collaboration, employment, and development for the region," commented Carolina España on this milestone.

Regarding the real estate investment undertaken by PTA, it is worth highlighting the completion of the construction of a building on plots I+D 15 and I+D 16, with a buildable area of 3,800 square meters, which has been named the Maria Marced building, in honor of the former president of TSMC Europe. This center is aimed at attracting innovative companies, especially companies in microelectronics and related to the semiconductor industry, given its location next to the future IMEC center in Malaga TechPark.

With this, the total turnover of the park since the beginning of its activity reaches 42.656 billion euros.