K2025: GCR’s new recycling plant in Barcelona to launch sustainable products
Spanish firm GCR Sustainable has expanded its industrial recycling capabilities with the launch of the Castellet recycling plant, which it claims is one of Europe’s most advanced plastic recycling facilities.
With a capacity of over 100,000 tonnes of post-consumer recycled (PCR) polyolefins and 30,000 tonnes of pre-consumer recycled materials, the plant integrates technologies, including Austrian machinery supplier Erema’s processing lines, Tomra optical sorters, and one of Europe’s largest hot washing systems.
In-house laboratories, deodorisation systems, and a closed-loop water circuit ensure material consistency, it adds.
The plant also sets the stage for K2025, where the company will unveil new developments under its Ciclic brand, a line of certified PCR polyolefins.
It will also launch a new company and brand, focused on recycled plastic compounds for the automotive and appliance sectors.
These developments are backed by its Innovation Hub, home to a team of over 50 specialists and more than EUR10 million invested in replicating real production processes. The hub includes pilot-scale lines for multilayer extrusion, cast and blown film, pipe extrusion, compounding, and injection moulding.
As for its Granic line of sustainable mineral masterbatches, designed to reduce polymer use and lower CO2 emissions while maintaining functionality, produced at its facility in La Bisbal del Penedès (Tarragona), these are supplied to a wide range of industries.
The company says the “excellent location in Tarragona allows it to deliver the products not only to Eastern Europe but also Western Europe, with 85% exported to Europe and rest to Asia, Middle East and the Americas.
The main applications are in the hygiene, food contact, electrical/electronics and building/construction sectors.
When asked about the Asian market, a spokesperson said, “The region is a super competitive market so we’re focusing on brand owners and not focusing on market share.”
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