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Circular economy

What is circular economy?

Circular economy is a new production and consumption model that ensures sustainable growth over time. With the circular economy, we can drive the optimization of resources, reduce the consumption of raw materials, and recover waste by recycling or giving it a second life as a new product.

The aim of the circular economy is therefore to make the most of the material resources available to us by applying three basic principles: reduce, reuse and recycle. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended, waste is used and a more efficient and sustainable production model is established over time. The idea arises from imitating nature, where everything has value and everything is used, where waste becomes a new resource. In this way, the balance between progress and sustainability is maintained.

Circular economy tree

We promote resource optimization

Video · 01:31

Gráfico economía lineal y circular

What is the difference between the circular economy and the linear economy?

Until now we have lived with linear production models, in other words, we extract, produce, consume, and discard. The society in which we live means that the pace of consumption is accelerating, a model that is fast but unsustainable for the planet.

The circular economy establishes a more sustainable production and consumption model  in which raw materials are kept longer in production cycles and can be used repeatedly, therefore generating much less waste. As its name suggests, the essence of this model is that resources are kept in the economy for as long as possible, making it possible to use the waste we generate as raw material for other industries.

What are the benefits of the circular economy?

Pictograma de un árbol y un sol

Protects the environment

It reduces emissions, minimises the consumption of natural resources and reduces waste generation.

Pictograma de crecimiento

Benefits the local economy

It can benefit the local economy by encouraging production models based on the reuse of nearby waste as raw material.

Pictograma de personas

Drives employment growth

It stimulates the development of a new, more innovative and competitive industrial model, higher economic growth, and more employment.

Pictograma de una hucha de ahorro

Promotes resource independence

The reuse of local resources can lead to less dependence on imported raw materials.

Our circular economy strategy

A plan that transcends borders

We implement circular economy in all the businesses and countries where we operate together with our suppliers and customers, from obtaining raw materials to commercializing our products and services.

Our objectives for 2030

2.2

million tonnes

production capacity for renewable fuels in the iberian peninsula, with an intermediate milestone of 1.5 million tonnes by 2027.

150,000

tonnes

of circular or bio origin products*, with an intermediate milestone of 65,000 tonnes by 2027.

2.1

TWh

production capacity for biomethane from organic waste, with an intermediate milestone of 1.3 TWh by 2027.

* products obtained through mechanical recycling (includes a percentage of recycled material content), chemical recycling (includes a percentage of recycled material content, assigned through the certified application of the mass balance method), or recycling of bio origin materials (includes a percentage of recycled material content, assigned through the certified application of the mass balance method), excluding renewable fuels.

Our circular economy strategy was approved in 2016 and is incorporated within the Company Strategic Plan, reinforcing our sustainability strategy and our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. For its deployment we use our circular economy model which is based on:

  • four pillars: ecodesign, process efficiency and innovation, renewable energy and alternative raw materials, and new consumption patterns.
  • And three drivers: Repsol Technology Lab, alliances, and digitalization.

  • Ecodesign

    From the product design phase, we apply criteria that allow us to minimize the consumption of raw materials during the manufacture of our products, extend their useful life and increase the subsequent recycling of their components.

  • Process efficiency and innovation

    We optimize resources and processes so that waste has new uses, both in our production processes and in those of third parties.

  • New consumption patterns

    We promote initiatives that prioritize rental over purchase of products to encourage more sustainable consumption.

  • Renewable energy and alternative raw materials

    We use renewable energy sources and alternative raw materials of residual origin to manufacture our products.

  • The Repsol Technology Lab is one of the most cutting-edge private R&D centers in Spain, based on open and technological innovation. Our technology center works to provide circular solutions to our businesses, to make them more efficient, sustainable, and competitive.

  • We work with a large number of strategic partners, organizations, and institutions with whom we develop circular initiatives and create the necessary synergies to accelerate the implementation of circular economy projects.

  • We use digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, cloud computing, digital twins, online platforms, and 3D printing, among others, to drive the transition to more circular business models.

Our circular economy projects

Delta Project Wind Turbines

Renewable energy generation

We adapt the principles of the company's circular economy model to renewable energy generation.
Different types of vehicles on a highway

Synthetic fuels

We produce synthetic fuels using renewable hydrogen and CO2 as a solution for decarbonizing transportation.

Find out more
Bioextensoil bottles

Sustainable extenders for the rubber industry

We continue driving sustainability with our products specially designed for the rubber industry.

Find out more
Samples of eco-aggregates

Eco-aggregates: A new product for capturing CO2

We've joined forces with O.C.O. Technology Limited to produce more sustainable products by capturing and using CO2 emitted in our industrial processes.

Learn more about eco-aggregates
Repsol circular methanol plant

Ecoplanta: The first circular methanol plant in Spain

We joined forces with Enerkem to manage and build a recovery plant to transform waste into new products.

Get to know the circular methanol plant
View of the Repsol Tarragona complex lit up at night.

Polyurethane recycling pioneers in Spain

Our chemical recycling plant in Puertollano will go into operation by the end of 2023 to recycle around 2,000 tonnes of this waste.

See how polyurethane recycling works
Tarragona plant

Repsol Reciclex

We are pioneers in certified circular polymers that have been produced by incorporating plastic waste as raw material.

Repsol Reciclex
View of pipes

Renewable fuels from waste

We process raw materials derived from waste and transform them into biofuels.

More about biofuels
Solar panels on the roof of the San Viator school in Madrid

Repsol Solmatch

We bring renewable energy generation to the point of consumption by creating solar communities.

Repsol Solmatch
View of industrial installations in the jungle

Drilling mud management

We transform drilling mud waste into new fuels by applying thermal desorption techniques.

Drilling mud management
Repsol plastic containers

Packaging from plastic waste

We design packaging incorporating 60% of recycled plastic content.

Learn more
Lubricants from Maker line

Lubricants formulated with regenerated bases

We use base oils derived from the regeneration of used oils to produce new lubricants.

Learn more about how we do it
Perseo staff working on waste management

Waste treatment in our facilities

We apply bioremediation and compost techniques to make use of waste.

See more
A wible car in front of the Repsol Campus

WiBLE

A plug-in hybrid carsharing service that promotes more responsible consumption patterns.

More about Wible
View of an offshore oil rig

Reusing asset equipment

We extend the useful life of our asset equipment by reusing it in our own operations or those of other companies.

See more
View of an industrial complex next to a reservoir

Reusing water from urban wastewater plants

We reuse water from urban wastewater treatment plants to reduce the amount of freshwater consumed.

See more
View of asphalt on a road

100% recyclable asphalts

More efficient, longer lasting, and 100% recyclable asphalts.

Learn more
Bioextensoil bottles

Rubber extenders made from regenerated bases

We have launched Bioextensoil 2021, a range of more sustainable oils that uses waste vegetable streams to provide circularity to the product.

Ver más
See all our projects
A sprout growing from a tree trunk

Discover through the "Dale una vuelta" series the stories of people who drive the #circulareconomy

See more
    • We launch our circular economy strategy.
    • We become one of the first companies to adhere to the Spanish Government's "Pact for a Circular Economy".
    • We join the Plastics Europe's voluntary commitment "Plastics 2030".
    • We create a specific committee focused on circular economy.
    • We launch Repsol´s circular economy action plan for 2019-2022.
    • We are the first company in the sector to commit to Zero Net CO2 Emissions by 2050.
    • We joined UNE-ISO CTN 323 standardization committee for the development of guides and lines of action in the field of circular economy.
    • Presentation of the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan where Circular Economy appears as a lever in the Company's decarbonization process.
    • We have more than 270 circular initiatives in our operated assets.
    • We participate in the CEOE initiative Circular Economy Projects Catalogue.
    • We obtained the AENOR "100% Circular Strategy“ voluntary certification for 2022-23.​
    • Fundación Repsol and the University of the Basque Country launch the Energy Transition Classroom focused on the role of circular economy in the industry's value chain.
    • We overpassed 320 circular initiatives in our operated assets.
    • We began collecting used oil at our service stations in Madrid and Galicia, transforming more than 18 tons into renewable fuel.
    • We made available more than 50 service stations with 100% renewable fuel products in Spain and Portugal.
    • We started operation of our 100% renewable fuels plant in Cartagena with a production capacity of 250,000 t/year.
    • We started operation of polyurethane foam recycling plant in Puertollano to produce circular polyol.
    • We signed an agreement with Genia Bioenergy to develop biomethane production plants (production capacity of 1.5 TWh/year).
    • Internal milestones
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024
    • The United Nations presents the Sustainable Development Goals.
    • The European Commission puts forward its first circular economy package.
        • The Spanish Government presents a draft of the circular economy strategy "España Circular 2030".
        • The European Commission launches the "European Green Deal" with the aim of making EU carbon neutral by 2050.
        • The European Commission launches the new "Circular Economy Action Plan" and the Government of Spain approves the circular economy strategy "España Circular 2030".
        • MITERD publishes the I Catalogue of Good Practices in circular economy, including 4 of Repsol's projects.
        • MITERD publishes the II Catalogue of Good Practices in Circular Economy including Repsol’s projects.
        • The Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge launches the Recovery and Economic Transformation Strategic Projects of Circular Economy (PERTE), focused on plastics and capital equipment for the renewable energy industry.
        • The Government of Spain approved the 7/2022 Law, of April 8th, on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy.
        • The European Commission approves ESRS E5 circular economy standard, supplementing the CSRD 2013/34/EU Directive.
        • EU Commission adopts proposals on green labels & claims and the right to repair.
        • RD 1055/2022 on packaging and packaging waste came into force, adapting Directive 2018/852/EU.
        • The European Council approved Regulations 2024/1252 (Critical Raw Materials) and 2025/40 (Packaging and Packaging Waste).​
        • The European Council adopted Regulation 2024/1781 (Ecodesign) and Directive 2024/1799 (Right-to-Repair).
        • ISO issued norms on circular economy series ISO59004 / 59010 / 59020.
        • External milestones
      Fondo azul con patrón en el que se ven matraces

      At the Repsol Technology Lab, we place technology at the service of the circular economy

      Learn about our circular research lines

      More on sustainability

      Chemist in a laboratory

      Materials in the circular economy

      Circular economy is at the core of our Materials Business strategy.

      Find out more about the materials in the circular economy
      View of a cycle path with trees in a city

      Net zero emissions commitment

      We are the first energy company to take on the commitment of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

      Learn about our commitment