As a key partner in the Plastics2Olefins project, Acteco applies its advanced pre-treatment capabilities to prepare plastic waste for cutting-edge chemical recycling technologies, helping transform previously non-recyclable plastics into valuable resources.
With nearly 30 years of expertise in industrial waste management, plastic recycling, and environmental consultancy, Acteco is driving Spain’s transition towards a more circular and resilient economy.
In a context of growing geopolitical tension, energy vulnerability, and climate crisis, the circular economy and renewable fuels stand out as two essential pillars for strengthening Spain’s strategic autonomy. In a country where external energy dependence exceeds 70%, it is urgent to transform the production model into one that is more resilient, sustainable, and capable of generating economic and social value within the territory.
Leading the Way in Spanish Waste Management
Over the past three decades, Acteco has established itself as a leading company in comprehensive waste management, plastic recycling, and environmental consultancy, offering sustainable solutions to businesses across all sectors. Its commitment to the circular economy and technological innovation positions it as a benchmark in the treatment of industrial and commercial waste.
Acteco stands out not only for its technical expertise in advanced recycling, but also for its national infrastructure, which includes more than 10 transfer and treatment plants strategically located across Spain. Thanks to this network, the company manages over 145,000 tonnes of industrial waste annually, including 63,000 tonnes of recovered hazardous waste and 32,000 tonnes of recycled plastic, making it a key player in the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient production model.
“We are present in more than 10 Spanish provinces, where we operate transfer plants to manage waste. All of this is made possible thanks to a large fleet that enables us to work across the entire national territory. These facilities allow us to offer nationwide coverage, optimise waste logistics, and ensure an efficient and legally compliant service for both hazardous and non-hazardous waste,” says Julio Pérez, Business Developer at Acteco.
Acteco’s Role in Plastic2Olefins
In the Plastic2Olefins project, Acteco is involved in Work Package 2 (WP2), acting as the pre-treatment operator for the waste. With its extensive experience in the recycling sector, Acteco possesses in-depth knowledge of the best techniques for preparing waste according to the type of recycling to be carried out, whether mechanical or chemical.
Moreover, as an industrial waste manager, Acteco is also working in parallel on identifying potential waste streams that currently cannot be recycled through mechanical means.
“Once the waste is tested and validated by our partner Repsol, it will become a new source of raw material suitable for recycling, which will increase recycling rates and contribute to the production of circular polyolefins,” explains Pérez.
From Complex Plastics to Valuable Resources
The Plastics2Olefins project represents an innovative and complementary solution to traditional mechanical recycling, especially for complex or contaminated plastic waste that cannot be processed using conventional methods.
Through technologies such as pyrolysis, this waste is broken down, enabling the production of new plastic materials or alternative fuels.
“This process significantly contributes to reducing plastic waste in landfills, decreases dependence on fossil resources, and supports the decarbonisation of industry by closing the material life cycle. Furthermore, it allows value to be recovered from plastic fractions that were previously considered non-recyclable, driving a more efficient and sustainable circular economy,” concludes Pérez.