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Circular economy

A key driver of the energy transition

In the energy transition, the circular economy is a key driver for reducing raw material consumption, prioritizing the reuse and recycling of waste, and advancing decarbonization.

What is the circular economy?

Circular economy is a 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.

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 responsible 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.

  • Linear economy

    Extract, produce, consume, discard.

  • Circular economy

    Extract, produce, consume, reuse, and recycle.

Illustration of a tree.
What is the circular economy and how do we contribute to it?

¿Qué es la economía circular y cómo contribuimos a ella?

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

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

1.6–1.8

million metric tons

of renewable fuel production capacity on the Iberian Peninsula.

125–146

kt/year

of circular or bio-origin products.*

0.7–0.8

TWh

of biomethane production capacity from organic waste.

* 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 strategy

The circular economy management model is integrated into our Strategic Plan, reinforcing our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Circular economy model

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.

  • 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.

Water recycling petrochemical plant.
Sustainability pillars
Our projects
Learn about the circular economy projects that contribute to meeting the commitments laid out in our Environmental Policy.

Waste management

We are working to optimize our production processes and minimize waste generation.

Learn more

Committed to the circular economy for over a decade

In 2015, the European Commission presented the first package of measures on the circular economy. Since then, our commitment has not stopped responding to the challenges posed by national and international organizations, always trying to stay one step ahead.

    • 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.
    • Investment approval for Ecoplanta in Tarragona, which will use urban waste to produce renewable methanol.
    • Nexa Diesel of 100% renewable origin becomes available at over 1,500 service stations in Spain and Portugal.
    • The Tarragona Industrial Complex reaches a technological milestone by producing 100% renewable gasoline on an industrial scale for the first time.
    • Internal milestones
  • 2015
  • 2016
  • 2017
  • 2018
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024
  • 2025
    • 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.
    • Spanish Waste Management Framework Plan 2025-2035 approved, aligned with EU goals and boosting WEEE reuse and construction‑demolition waste recovery.
    • Revised waste framework directive UE 2025/1892 enters into force.
    • EFRAG publishes the proposed simplified NEIS (CSRD) reporting standards.
    • External milestones
Learn more about the circular economy
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The front of the Repsol Technology Lab building.

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Updated as of June 2026