Ecoplanta: A project for non-recyclable municipal waste recovery

Block of waste

First circular methanol plant in Spain 

Repsol has been developing the Ecoplanta Molecular Recycling Solution (Ecoplanta) project for several years, together with Enerkem as technological leader. This project could become the first plant in Spain for non-recyclable municipal waste recovery into methanol that will be used to manufacture new materials and advanced biofuels. It is planned to be located in El Morell (Tarragona).

The plant, which is expected to start operations in 2028, will process around 400,000 tonnes of non-recyclable municipal waste per year, mainly from ecoparks (waste recovery and treatment plants) in nearby towns, which would be equivalent to the waste generated in a year by a population of 800,000 people, thus avoiding the use of virgin raw materials.

State-of-the-art technology for processing non-recyclable municipal waste

With this waste, around 240,000 tonnes of methanol and biomethanol, with IMPCA quality1, will be produced, which can be used as a raw material for the production of circular materials as well as biofuels for the decarbonization of transport, therefore contributing to circularity objectives and reduction of GHG emissions.

The process will allow non-recyclable municipal waste to be transformed into high value-added products, achieving 3.4 Mt CO2eq of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions over the first ten years of operation, as well as giving a second life to the waste that would otherwise end up in the landfill or incineration plants.

1. IMPCA International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association

Transforming waste into circular ethanol

Ecoplanta: The only Spanish project pre-selected for the European Innovation Fund 2021

This non-recyclable municipal waste recovery project has been pre-selected among more than 300 large-scale projects for its contribution to the fight against climate change. This selection demonstrates the European Union's support for promoters of highly innovative projects and its desire to help implement the technology. Specifically, the gasification technology was highlighted for its innovation, reduction in carbon emissions, and scalability.

Ecoplanta will strongly contribute to achieving the ambitious waste management objectives for the 2030-2035 horizon. Together with the improvement of selective collection, anaerobic digestion, and mechanical and chemical recycling, it will make it possible to achieve the recycling objectives and minimize the disposal of waste in landfills and incineration, as well as the improvements that this reduction in the use of landfills represents for the environment.

Some figures

400,000

tonnes/year

waste converted into new circular and bio-materials

240,000

tonnes/year

of circular methanol to produce circular materials and biofuels

3.4

Mt

CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions

2028

year

of start up

Circular benefits

  • We are reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incineration plants.
  • We are offering a solution to non-recyclable municipal waste management in Tarragona and the surrounding areas.
  • We are providing our customers more sustainable and innovative solutions by introducing new circular methanol to the market to produce circular materials and biofuels.
  • We are minimizing the consumption of virgin raw materials, thus strengthening our commitment to the circular economy and advancing towards our ambition of becoming a net zero emissions company by 2050.
View of industrial facilities

Classification by key lines and value chain

Our circular economy projects are aligned with the key lines of our strategy and are present throughout our entire value chain, from obtaining raw materials to commercializing products and services. 

Classification by key lines and value chain