Advancing Circular Economy in Spain: ORHI+, ElPozo Alimentación, and La Escocesa Transformation
Spain is advancing circular economy through cross-border projects, corporate sustainability programs, and urban regeneration initiatives in 2025.
- • The ORHI+ project supports cross-border circular economy innovations with new methodologies and 400,000 euros funding.
- • ElPozo Alimentación has reduced its carbon footprint by 25% and invested 45 million euros in sustainability, including Spain’s largest solar plant.
- • Barcelona’s La Escocesa transformation mobilizes over 11,500 square meters for social economy, cultural, and housing uses with a 51.8 million euro investment.
- • These initiatives collectively promote sustainable development and social integration in Spain’s economic and urban sectors.
Key details
Spain is witnessing significant strides in circular economy initiatives in 2025 through multi-faceted projects spanning economic, social, and corporate sectors.
The ORHI+ project, led by a consortium of nine entities from Euskadi, La Rioja, and the Pyrénées Atlantiques, aims to strengthen sustainability and circularity in cross-border economic activities. It has developed two pioneering eco-innovation methodologies to simplify sustainability assessments for SMEs, along with a green public procurement guide to encourage sustainable purchasing among public administrations. Additionally, a pilot funding initiative, "Cheque de Innovación en Economía Circular," offers 400,000 euros to support up to 15 projects focused on circular economy models and new technologies. Demonstrative projects include valorizing agricultural by-products and innovative waste management solutions, reinforcing regional economic and social integration in the Spain-France-Andorra border area. This European Union co-financed project will run through December 2026.
ElPozo Alimentación, a leading European food company headquartered in Alhama de Murcia, exemplifies corporate commitment to circular economy principles. Since its start as a small grocery store in 1936, the company now employs over 5,800 people and has achieved a 25% reduction in its carbon footprint as part of its 2020-2025 decarbonization program. ElPozo is investing 45 million euros to support sustainability measures including Spain’s largest self-consumption solar plant, heat recovery systems saving 35 GWh annually, and logistics emission reductions exceeding 30%, earning the company its second Lean & Green star. The company is further advancing packaging recycling and wastewater reuse for agriculture, positioning itself among Spain’s top 100 most responsible companies in 2024.
In Barcelona, the transformation of La Escocesa industrial site is set to foster circular economy-driven social and economic renewal. The municipal project involves mobilizing 11,528 square meters in the north 22@ district with a 51.8 million euro investment. The Klein warehouse will become a hub managed by cooperatives focused on social economy and sustainability, with construction commencing in Q4 2026. The project also includes artistic creation facilities hosting over 30 resident artists, a technological agro-food incubator merging cooking, science, and technology, and rehabilitated spaces dedicated to community housing, arts training, and job integration. This initiative highlights the integration of economic, cultural, environmental, and social priorities aligned with circular economy ideals.
Together, these developments illustrate a robust and multi-dimensional approach to promoting circular economy principles across Spain’s corporate, regional, and municipal spheres, supporting sustainable growth, innovation, and social inclusion in 2025 and beyond.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.