October, 2026. At Coyol Free Zone, sustainability is reflected across the areas that shape the Park’s long-term performance: industrial development, employment, resource management, environmental stewardship, community engagement and, governance.
The results reported for 2025 show measurable progress across these dimensions. From company expansions and employment opportunities created through the companies established at the Park to lower potable water consumption, increased water reuse, internationally recognized building standards such as LEED-certified construction, and initiatives focused on people and surrounding communities.
Economic Impact, Business Expansion, and Reinvestment
Coyol Free Zone closed the year with 34 companies operating across Life Sciences, Semiconductors, and Smart Manufacturing sectors, generating 25,422 jobs, a 3.39% increase compared to the previous year.
The Park’s economic contribution is also reflected in the latest export indicators included in the Sustainability Management Report. Based on 2023 data, Coyol Free Zone recorded US$4.44 billion in exports, representing 35.1% of manufacturing exports under Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone regime and 54.9% of the country’s Medical Devices exports.
Continued investment within the Park provided another measure of this trajectory. Theragenics inaugurated a new 4,000 m² plant; Cirtec Medical announced the expansion of its operations by 4,500 m²; Thermo Fisher Scientific opened a 2,325 m² distribution center and Freudenberg Medical inaugurated its second production facility with 5,645 m².
The year also marked the opening of ECI’s first commercial laboratory of its kind in Latin America for packaging simulation, distribution, and stability testing.
Specialized Talent, Employment, and Community
The continued development of specialized industries depends on access to talent aligned with their operational requirements. For the second consecutive year, 100% of companies at Coyol Free Zone participated in the Headcount Study, providing information on employment, profiles, and sociodemographic characteristics across the Park.
Employability initiatives provide another connection between companies and local talent.
By the end of the period, 26 companies from Coyol Free Zone were using the Digital Job Board platform to publish opportunities and connect directly with candidates. The site recorded 226,600 active users, up 7%, while published positions increased by 18% compared to 2024. Seven employment fairs reached more than 4,200 candidates, with participation from 19 companies.
Community and wellbeing initiatives also remained part of the Park’s Social Dimension. The Clásica Coyol running race reached a participation record for the third consecutive year, bringing together 2,770 people from more than 50 organizations, with funds raised donated to social causes.
Water Management and Resource Efficiency
Water management remained a key environmental priority. During 2025, potable water consumption at Coyol Free Zone reduced by 11.76%, while 100% of the water used to irrigate green areas came from recovered or reused sources. The Park treated 1,520 m³ of wastewater per day, equivalent to 547,200 m³ during the year, and reused 57,815 m³ of treated water for irrigation.
In October, a new water-reuse project was introduced for cooling towers and sanitary services at companies in the Park, with expected savings of 72,000 m³ of potable water.
LEED-Certified Buildings and Green Areas
Sustainable building standards form another part of the environmental strategy. Coyol Free Zone has more than 100,000 m² of construction under LEED certification, with buildings certified at Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels.
These standards incorporate considerations related to energy performance, water efficiency, responsible materials management, and the environmental performance of industrial buildings.
Environmental management extends across the Park itself. Coyol Free Zone maintains 205,199 m² of green areas, equivalent to 19% of its total surface. These include protection areas surrounding the creek and wastewater treatment plant, Parque Los Ceibos, recreational areas, general green spaces, and green areas incorporated into individual lots.
Together, buildings and green areas demonstrate how environmental criteria are incorporated into the Park’s long-term physical development.
Quality Assurance in Construction Processes
Sustainability also extends to how construction projects are managed through a deep understanding of the environment and market demands. To support this approach, the Park strengthened its processes with specialized inspection equipment and training in advanced quality control methodologies. During 2025, Coyol Free Zone recorded more than 1,450 quality observations across its construction projects, supported by technical controls, audits, contractor evaluations, and field supervision.
In Health, Occupational Safety, and Environment performance, the Park also reached an important milestone: development projects completed 365 days without recorded occupational accidents.
These results reinforce the role of quality management, preventive controls, and safety standards throughout project execution.
OECD Certification and International Recognition
Governance, transparency, and security in international trade gained particular relevance during the year.
Coyol Free Zone became the second Free Trade Zone in the world and the first in the Americas to receive the OECD Certification for Trusted Trade. The certification was granted to both the Park administration and the 34 companies established at Coyol Free Zone as part of a community-wide certification process.
For companies participating in global supply chains, standards related to transparency and security in international trade reinforce the wider environment surrounding their operations.
International recognition accompanied this milestone. fDi Magazine ranked Coyol Free Zone No. 5 among the Top 10 Free Zones in the world, recognized it as the Best Free Zone in the Americas, and named it the Most Sustainable Free Zone in the Americas.
These distinctions add external recognition to the environmental, social, economic, and governance results achieved across the Park.
Sustainability Integrated into Long-Term Performance
The results reported across Coyol Free Zone show sustainability through measurable actions in different areas of the Park.
It is reflected in continued investment and quality employment, responsible water management, LEED-certified buildings, the preservation of green areas, quality and safety standards, community initiatives, and governance practices aligned with companies operating in international markets.
These elements are interconnected within the Park’s long-term development. Together, they contribute to an industrial environment designed to respond to the requirements of companies in Life Sciences, Smart Manufacturing, and Semiconductors industries, while strengthening environmental management, social impact, and responsible business practices.
As Coyol Free Zone continues to evolve, sustainability remains integrated into its performance as Costa Rica’s leading Life Sciences hub and a specialized industrial platform serving global markets.