The world’s first Passivhaus logistics centre arrives in Zaragoza with an investment of more than 25 million euros

The logistics centre being built in the Puerta Norte Industrial Estate in Zaragoza is a milestone at a global level: it will be the first Passivhaus Plus category logistics centre in the world. The construction of a new smart centre, the first in the sector to be 100% robotised, will be operational at the beginning of 2026 and will become the first 
pharmaceutical distribution centre in the world with Passivhaus Plus certification, which will guarantee that it generates the same amount of energy as it consumes. More than 25 million euros are being invested in it.

The Novaltia pharmaceutical centre will be a benchmark in the automation of its warehouses and the digitalisation of its processes, as well as in sustainability. In this respect, the Passivhaus qualification has been a challenge like never before for both the developer – Novaltia – and the brain behind the logistics centre – the engineering firm Ergo Synergys – when it came to designing all the appropriate construction solutions to achieve this certification.

The logistics centre will be energy self-sufficient through the use of renewable energy systems , both photovoltaic and hydrogen. To achieve the qualification, the centre has carried out air permeability tests that are pioneering in the world. The logistics centre has achieved Passivhaus pre-certification as a previous step to the final certification. To do so, a Blower Door test will be carried out: a tightness measurement system used to measure the airtightness of a building in order to check for temperature leaks, and thus achieve a constant and stable temperature in the warehouse. A logistics centre of this magnitude has never been pressurised: 18,000 m2, 16 metres high.

In addition, the logistics centre will have a vertiport (an airport for drones) to reach locations in Aragon that are difficult to access (towns, villages, etc.) with the medicines.

ZARAGOZA, WORLD EPICENTER OF SUSTAINABILITY

The logistics centre is located on a 20,000 m2 plot, where it will reach almost 18,000 m2 of constructed area and 16 metres in height. It will be able to house 40,000 active references, 80,000 containers and 2,500 Euro pallets, with a production capacity that will reach 200,000 units per day. It will have 800 dispatch ramps and will have a novel energy storage system with a hydrogen fuel cell and 1.5 MW of photovoltaic production.

The envelope of the industrial building that will house this advanced technology has been designed to the highest standards of thermal efficiency and tightness, guaranteeing optimal performance. Standing out for its innovative QuadCore insulation technology, developed by the sandwich panel manufacturer Huurre, this structure not only optimizes thermal insulation and energy efficiency, but has also been specially designed to successfully pass the demanding Blower Door tightness test, ensuring precise control of air leaks and control of the interior environment.

The installation of a vertiport is also planned to continue the Pharmadron project for distributing medicines to pharmacies using drones, promoted by the cooperative together with Delsat.

This new warehouse will reduce emissions and achieve greater fluidity in the supply chain, better traceability of orders, faster delivery and fewer errors.