The Zona Franca del Cauca (ZFC) is in a mature stage of development, with 82% of its total area occupied, leaving only 6% available for new constructions, while the remainder is designated for expansions of existing industries. Currently, generating approximately 7,500 direct jobs and 14,000 indirect jobs, significantly contributing to the local economy.
Between 2020 and 2024, 65% of companies reported local procurement equivalent to USD 2 million annually and contributed USD 3 million in municipal taxes. Additionally, they have invested USD 189 million in infrastructure, technology, and improvement projects, along with an average annual investment of USD 138 thousand in corporate social responsibility. These achievements establish ZFC as a key driver of economic and social development in the region.
In the Zona Franca del Cauca (ZFC), 6 out of 18 identified industrial symbiosis initiatives were implemented, achieving in-park reuse of waste in the amount of 435 tons/year. This waste reuse includes plastic, aluminium, and non-ferrous material, involving seven companies within the park.
These initiatives originated from waste characterization conducted as part of the design of a collection center for recyclable and general solid waste, within the framework of ZFC’s transition to an Eco-Industrial Park (EIP).
ZFC management implemented two value-added services: a cargo tricycle for internal transport and collection center, facilitating the logistics, storage, and distribution of waste and recyclable materials.
Industrial commitment and engagementThe administration of the Cauca Free Zone (ZFC) stands out for its collaborative and strategic approach, with companies actively participating in the Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) Programme.
With five active committees (services, human resources, environment, users, and security), specific EIP capacity requirements are addressed through monthly meetings to establish guidelines, training, and joint projects.
65% of the companies implement sustainable practices or participate in the park’s sustainability programs, positively impacting the entire park.
The black lines show the park’s achieved scores against the International Eco-Industrial Park Framework in 2024 for aspect (Economic, Environmental, Social, and Park Management), while the green lines indicate the expected scores by 2028.
The 4.0 Laboratory
Since its inauguration in October 2021, the 4.0 Laboratory has trained 536 children from the zone, 44% of whom are girls and 56% boys, through a STEAM approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, focused on project-based learning and 21st-century skill development.
Through the Maker Route, structured into four stages (Friendships and Skills, Science-Problems-Solutions, Teach Transfer, and Prototyping), participants engage in collaborative practical projects that foster creativity and address real-world problems. Since 2021, the LABZFC 4.0 program has shown sustained growth, with significant increases in 2022 and 2023 due to educational collaborations, and further diversification in 2024 with activities such as multimedia clubs, Arduino, Lego, and participation in WRO and STEAM events.