Molins diverts nearly one million tonnes of waste from landfill over four years

• In 2025 alone, Molins’ Circular Economy plants processed and recovered more than 248,000 tonnes of waste across its network of specialized facilities in Spain, reinforcing its decarbonization strategy and efficient use of resources.

Molins continues to advance its sustainability and circular economy strategy, reaching a total of 991,000 tonnes of waste treated and recovered across its Circular Economy plants since 2022. This milestone reflects the coordinated efforts of a network of seven industrial facilities dedicated to alternative fuel production and material recovery, each specialized in transforming different types of non-hazardous waste into valuable resources for the construction sector.

In 2025 alone, the company processed more than 248,000 tonnes of waste, converting it into high-quality materials used in cement production and construction solutions, thereby preventing landfill disposal. This approach not only reduces the consumption of natural resources but also lowers CO₂ emissions associated with industrial processes. At the core of this model is the integration of circular economy principles into the business, turning waste into alternative raw materials, alternative fuels, and recycled products.

Molins’ circular economy system is supported by a range of complementary facilities. Some focus on material recovery, transforming waste into alternative raw materials used in cement and other products. Others are dedicated to producing alternative fuels, harnessing the energy potential of specific waste streams for subsequent energy recovery. This network is complemented by construction and demolition waste recycling plants, as well as facilities that process industrial by-products such as steel slag, which is reintroduced into the construction sector as high-performance aggregates. Together, these operations help close material loops, extend resource lifecycles, and reduce reliance on virgin raw materials.

The Pallejà (Barcelona, Spain) Alternative Raw Materials plant, a cornerstone of Molins’ circular model 

A key asset within this model is the Alternative Raw Materials (ARM) plant in Pallejà (Barcelona, Spain), operational since July 2022, which has become a cornerstone of the company’s decarbonization strategy. The facility carries out a dual activity: it transforms non-hazardous industrial waste, excavation soils, and construction and demolition waste into new materials used in cement production—reducing the need for natural resource extraction and extending quarry lifespans. At the same time, it produces recycled aggregates from 100% concrete waste, which are later used to manufacture new sustainable concretes within the company’s Susterra product range. 

In 2025, the Pallejà plant recovered 102,793 tonnes of materials, a 10% increase year-on-year, bringing the total volume processed since its start-up to 295,859 tonnes. The use of alternative raw materials in cement production has helped reduce the consumption of natural resources, while also lowering both direct CO₂ emissions and indirect emissions linked to transport, thanks to the proximity between the treatment plant and the cement factory. 

In line with this combined approach to circularity and decarbonization, the use of alternative raw materials and fuels enabled Molins’ cement plant in Sant Vicenç dels Horts to avoid 118,113 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in 2025 (101,764 tonnes through energy recovery and 16,349 tonnes through material recovery).

In addition to the ARM plant, the company operates seven other circular economy facilities in Spain, where materials such as steel slag and construction and demolition waste, among other non-hazardous industrial streams, are recovered and reintegrated into the value chain.

“Circular economy is a strategic lever to transform our industrial model. It allows us to reduce emissions, minimize the use of natural resources, and deliver construction solutions aligned with climate goals,” said Carlos Martínez, Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer at Molins. “Our commitment to a network of specialized facilities shows that sustainability is embedded in our business and in our long-term vision.”

Waste recovery is one of the pillars of Molins’ Sustainability Roadmap 2030, which sets out the company’s path to progressively reduce CO₂ emissions and move towards climate neutrality by 2050. Through continued investment in infrastructure, technology, and innovation, Molins is consolidating an industrial model that combines competitiveness, circularity, and environmental responsibility.

Image: Alternative Raw Materials plant.

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