# The 30 largest companies with in-house R&D in Barcelona

Tamtam tracks 122 companies with in-house R&D headquartered in Barcelona. This list ranks the 30 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Universitat de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut and Roca Group. Their median headcount is 1,644. Half of them were founded in 1975 or later.

The companies with in-house R&D in Barcelona largely consist of established institutions and manufacturing firms. Notable examples include Universitat de Barcelona, a leading Spanish university with extensive research departments, and Institut Català de la Salut, which provides healthcare services with an emphasis on research. Roca Group manufactures and sells bathroom solutions globally, while Hospital Clínic de Barcelona offers quality healthcare and cutting-edge research. Factorial is a younger company providing HR software for SMEs.

A significant portion of these companies are public institutions, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors, such as Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. There is also a strong presence of pharmaceutical manufacturers like Almirall, focused on medical dermatology, and ESTEVE, an international pharmaceutical company. This suggests a concentration of R&D efforts in life sciences and public service.

🇪🇸 Barcelona · 30 companies · Updated Nov 12, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Universitat de Barcelona](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universitat-de-barcelona) (web.ub.edu)<br>Leading Spanish university with extensive research departments, numerous projects, and collaborations with national and European institutions and businesses. | Research Services | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 10,368 | 1450 |
| 2 | [Institut Català de la Salut](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/institut-catala-de-la-salut) (ics.gencat.cat)<br>The company provides healthcare services from pregnancy to old age, with a wide territorial coverage and a strong emphasis on education, research, and innovation | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 7,936 |  |
| 3 | [Roca Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/roca-group) (rocagroup.com)<br>Global enterprise manufacturing and selling bathroom solutions across 170 countries with 81 production plants to improve quality of life through sustainable development. | Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 7,451 | 1917 |
| 4 | [Hospital Clínic de Barcelona](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/hospital-clinic-de-barcelona) (clinicbarcelona.org)<br>A leading public university hospital in Spain, offering quality healthcare, cutting-edge research, and professional training with a focus on humanized medicine | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 6,159 | 1906 |
| 5 | [Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/universitat-politecnica-de-catalunya) (upc.edu)<br>Public institution specializing in engineering, architecture, science, technology education and research, promoting innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility. | Higher Education | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 5,306 | 1971 |
| 6 | [Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/hospital-universitari-vall-d-hebron) (vallhebron.com)<br>A leading hospital complex in Catalonia with four large centers offering a wide range of medical and surgical specialties | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 4,361 | 1955 |
| 7 | [Hospital del Mar](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/hospital-del-mar) (hospitaldelmar.cat)<br>Modern general hospital treating medium and high complexity pathologies, affiliated with a university and emphasizing research, located in a diverse, multicultural area | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 3,654 | 1983 |
| 8 | [Desigual](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/desigual) (desigual.com)<br>A fashion company that creates unique pieces for women, men, kids, and accessories, focusing on self-expression through patchwork, textures, and graphic motifs | Retail Apparel and Fashion | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 3,072 | 1984 |
| 9 | [Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/hospital-de-la-santa-creu-i-sant-pau-barcelona) (santpau.cat)<br>A centuries-old highly complex hospital in Spain, primarily serving Barcelona and Catalonia, with a prominent national and international reputation | Hospitals and Health Care | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2,826 | 1401 |
| 10 | [Factorial](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/factorial) (factorialhr.com)<br>A leading HR software for SMEs, automating administrative tasks worldwide Offers solutions like time management, talent management, recruitment, and more | Software Development | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2,728 | 2016 |
| 11 | [Europastry](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/europastry) (europastry.com)<br>A leading bakery company specializing in frozen doughs for bread, pastries, and snacks, rooted in traditional baking with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability | Food and Beverage Services | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2,712 | 1987 |
| 12 | [Almirall](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/almirall) (almirall.com)<br>Global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology, developing innovative solutions for dermatological diseases through R&D, healthcare partnerships, and global presence in 100+ countries | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2,401 |  |
| 13 | [ESTEVE](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/esteve) (esteve.com)<br>International pharmaceutical company focused on improving people's lives through innovative solutions and environmentally sustainable practices, with production sites globally | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2,305 | 1929 |
| 14 | [ISDIN](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/isdin) (isdin.com)<br>International pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology solutions, providing treatments, prevention and maintenance for skin conditions worldwide through research and innovation | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 2,172 | 1975 |
| 15 | [SIMON](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/simon) (simonelectric.com)<br>Designs and manufactures electrical components, lighting, and connectivity solutions for various spaces. Focuses on innovation and user experience with a global presence. | Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 1,644 | 1916 |
| 16 | [Barcelona Supercomputing Center](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/barcelona-supercomputing-center) (bsc.es)<br>Leading Spanish supercomputing center specializing in High Performance Computing, providing infrastructure, services, and research for academia, industry, and society | Research Services | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 1,401 | 2005 |
| 17 | [Wallbox Chargers](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/wallbox-chargers) (wallbox.com)<br>Develops smart charging systems, combining innovative technology with design, managing communication between electric vehicles, grids, buildings, and chargers for various uses. | Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 1,200 |  |
| 18 | [Affinity Petcare](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/affinity-petcare) (affinity-petcare.com)<br>An international pet food company dedicated to nourishing healthy bonds between dogs, cats, and people with innovative brands | Food and Beverage Services | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 971 | 1963 |
| 19 | [Between Technology](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/between-technology) (between.tech)<br>Connecting skilled professionals with innovative engineering and IT projects worldwide, providing consulting services and fostering career development opportunities. | IT Services and IT Consulting | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 759 | 2000 |
| 20 | [Elisava School of Design and Engineering](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/elisava-school-of-design-and-engineering) (elisava.net)<br>A pioneering School of Design in Spain since 1961, Elisava promotes education, research, and innovation in design, engineering, and communication | Higher Education | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 750 |  |
| 21 | [Towa International](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/towa-international) (towainternational.com)<br>An international pharmaceutical company specializing in researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing generic and value-added medicines to improve global health | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 750 | 2020 |
| 22 | [Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/institut-d-investigacions-biomediques-august-pi-i-sunyer-idibaps) (clinicbarcelona.org)<br>A leading biomedical research consortium in Barcelona, focused on combining high-quality clinical and basic research to advance healthcare solutions | Research Services | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 711 | 1996 |
| 23 | [S&P Ventilación España](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/s-and-p-ventilacion-espana) (solerpalau.com)<br>Design and manufacture energy-efficient ventilation systems for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings ensuring indoor air quality and sustainability. | Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 699 | 1951 |
| 24 | [Lacer](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/lacer) (lacer.com)<br>Spanish company specializing in pharmaceutical, healthcare, and personal-care products with leading cardiovascular products in the Spanish market. | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 644 |  |
| 25 | [BioSystems](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/biosystems) (biosystems.global)<br>Global group specializing in In-vitro human and veterinary clinical diagnostics, food & beverage analysis, and bioprocess monitoring, with a focus on user experience and innovation | Biotechnology Research | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 643 | 1981 |
| 26 | [AC Marca](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ac-marca) (acmarca.com)<br>AC Marca manufactures consumer products focusing on personal care, home care, and adhesives Their brands aim to meet evolving consumer needs | Manufacturing | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 616 | 1922 |
| 27 | [GTD](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/gtd-barcelona) (gtd.eu)<br>Design, integration, operation of complex, mission-critical applications and systems across space, aerospace, energy, scientific facilities, critical infrastructure, maritime, port sectors. | IT Services and IT Consulting | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 612 | 1987 |
| 28 | [Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/barcelona-institute-for-global-health-isglobal) (isglobal.org)<br>A public-private partnership committed to global health research, training, and development, aiming to improve health worldwide through scientific knowledge generation and translation | Wellness and Fitness Services | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 568 | 2010 |
| 29 | [Banc de Sang i Teixits](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/banc-de-sang-i-teixits) (bancsang.net)<br>A public company in Catalonia providing blood, tissues, and breast milk to patients, while also leading in research for therapies | Public Health | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 568 |  |
| 30 | [Semillas Fitó](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/semillas-fito) (fitoseeds.com)<br>A Spanish multinational specializing in researching, producing, and marketing seeds for professional cultivation and focusing on local agricultural needs | Farming | 🇪🇸 Barcelona | 542 | 1880 |

## How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.

## More company lists in Barcelona

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- [Multinational companies in Barcelona](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/multinational-companies-barcelona) (363)
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- [Education providers in Barcelona](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/education-companies-barcelona) (76)
- [Hospitality companies in Barcelona](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-companies-barcelona) (76)
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- [Financial Services companies in Barcelona](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/financial-services-companies-barcelona) (50)
- [Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain and Storage companies in Barcelona](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/transportation-logistics-supply-chain-and-storage-companies-barcelona) (48)

## The same list elsewhere in Spain

- [Companies with in-house R&D in Spain](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-spain) (1,067)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Catalonia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-catalonia) (324)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Community of Madrid](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-community-of-madrid) (245)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Valencian Community](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-valencian-community) (102)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Basque Country](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-basque-country) (99)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Andalusia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-andalusia) (89)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Region of Murcia](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-region-of-murcia) (25)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Madrid](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-madrid) (158)

## The same list elsewhere

- [Companies with in-house R&D in the world](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-in-the-world) (34,346)
- [Companies with in-house R&D in Europe](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-in-europe) (20,169)

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/r-and-d-companies-barcelona