PreZero invests €42M in Barcelona to launch Spain’s largest SRF plant and first urban biomethane facility

German firm PreZero has inaugurated Spain’s most advanced facility for the production of Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) from non-recyclable industrial waste in the heart of Barcelona’s Zona Franca. Marking a strategic milestone in the transition to the circular economy, the SRF plant is soon to be complemented by Barcelona’s first biomethane facility, the Bioenergy Factory, which will feature direct injection into the natural gas network.

With a combined investment exceeding €42 million and the creation of over 85 qualified jobs, the two projects position Barcelona and Catalonia at the forefront of Europe’s waste-to-energy innovation landscape. Together, they will enable the transformation of industrial waste into alternative energy sources and renewable gas, thereby contributing to a reduction in landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are ready and willing to support Catalonia and Spain on their journey toward a cleaner, more competitive economy”

Gonzalo Cañete, CEO of PreZero Iberia

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“This project not only reaffirms our commitment to environmental innovation, but directly supports Catalonia's alignment with European waste management goals and the region's ambitious circular economy strategy,” stated Gonzalo Cañete, CEO of PreZero Iberia.

A New Energy Model: Transforming Waste into Resource

The new Industrial Waste Treatment Center features a processing capacity of 190,000 tons of non-recyclable waste annually, producing up to 70,000 tons of SRF and recovering over 40,000 tons of additional materials. SRF, derived from a European standard composition that includes plastics, textiles, and paper, is primarily used in energy-intensive industries, such as cement production and thermal energy generation.

The plant integrates cutting-edge Digital Twin technology, incorporating virtual and augmented reality tools for real-time monitoring, predictive operations, and AI-powered decision-making. This innovation, partially funded through the European Union’s Next Generation funds (€750,000), positions the facility among the most technologically advanced of its kind in Europe.

Bioenergy Factory: Catalonia’s First Urban Biomethane Plant

Scheduled for completion in the coming months, the Bioenergy Factory will convert 32,500 tons of organic industrial and commercial waste into 25 GWh of biomethane per year, enough to meet the annual energy needs of 12,000 people. As Barcelona’s first facility with direct biomethane injection into the natural gas grid, it represents a significant step forward in decarbonizing urban and industrial energy consumption.

This project has already been recognized with the Circular Economy Award by the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, underscoring its contribution to sustainable urban development and climate resilience.

“With this plant, we are taking a decisive step toward a new way of understanding industry, waste management, and sustainability,” said Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory, Housing, and Ecological Transition of the Government of Catalonia. “Catalonia is not content with mitigating environmental impact; we are transforming it into value.”

Catalonia: A Destination for Green Industrial Innovation

PreZero’s dual investment affirms Catalonia’s strategic position as a destination for sustainable industrial transformation. With a dynamic ecosystem, strong public-private collaboration, and a clear regulatory roadmap for the circular economy, the region is fast becoming a reference point for investors seeking both environmental impact and industrial excellence.

“We are ready and willing to support Catalonia and Spain on their journey toward a cleaner, more competitive economy,” concludes Cañete. “This is more than a project, it is a shared strategy for the future.”

Source: PreZero