Spain Advances Circular Economy Through Innovation Platforms and Regional Initiatives
Spain enhances circular economy efforts with the CÍCLICOM plastics innovation platform and Bizkaia's Waste Lab pioneering waste sector projects and collaboration.
- • CÍCLICOM platform supports innovation and business networking in complex plastics recycling with NextGenerationEU funding.
- • Waste Lab Bizkaia launched 37 initiatives and hosted 84 events fostering circular economy cooperation in its first year.
- • Spain's plastic packaging recycling rate stands at 46.2%, above the EU average of 42.1%.
- • CÍCLICOM validates recycling technologies via pilot plants to reduce investment risks for companies.
Key details
Spain is making significant strides in fostering innovation and collaboration in the circular economy sector, particularly through new projects aimed at boosting competitiveness and sustainable practices in plastics and waste management.
The recently launched CÍCLICOM platform is a key national initiative designed to support the circular economy of complex plastics. Supported by notable organizations such as Aclima, Fundación GAIKER, and AIMPLAS, CÍCLICOM offers specialized services including technological acceleration, research and development, market and regulatory monitoring, and a matchmaking portal connecting waste producers, recyclers, and suppliers. One major advantage of the platform is its ability to reduce investment risks by validating recycling technologies through pilot plants—a critical step highlighted during its launch event. Funded through the NextGenerationEU program under Spain's Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, CÍCLICOM strives to enhance Spain's position in plastic recycling, aiming to boost recycled plastics use above the current 46.2% packaging recycling rate within the country, which surpasses the 42.1% EU average. Experts at the launch emphasized overcoming barriers to connecting supply and demand in recycled plastics markets and reducing landfill waste.
Meanwhile, at the regional level, Bizkaia's Waste Lab has rapidly become a hub for circular economy innovation during its first year. The center has driven 37 projects including training programs, recycling and textile reuse innovations, and pilot collaborations with local municipalities supported by nearly 98,000 in grants. It also acts as a pivotal forum with 84 events hosting 1,400 participants in 2025 alone, fostering knowledge exchange and alliances across the public and private sectors. The Ecoparque de Artigas, connected to the center, has attracted nearly 7,000 visitors, raising public awareness of circular economy principles.
Together, these initiatives highlight Spain's concerted effort to strengthen the circular economy through pioneering platforms and inclusive regional strategies, with support from national and European funding. They build a foundation for enhanced sustainability, innovation, and industrial competitiveness across the plastic recycling and waste management sectors.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
