Huelva, September 14, 2026. Atlantic Copper held today the inaugural event of CirCular, its new plant designed for metal recovery from electrical and electronic equipment. The project represents the latest step in the Company’s evolution by adding advanced metal recycling to its metallurgical activities, entailing an investment of more than 550 million euros.

Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Pilar Miranda, Mayor of Huelva, Daniel Calleja, Head of the European Commission Representation in Spain, Javier Targhetta, Chairman of Atlantic Copper, and Macarena Gutiérrez, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, took part in the event. Representatives of public administrations, European institutions and other public and private entities also attended.

Located within the Huelva metallurgical complex, the facility is designed for the recovery of metals such as copper, gold, silver, palladium, platinum and nickel, which are essential for the energy transition, digitalization and technological development, bolstering Atlantic Copper’s commitment to the circular economy, industrial innovation and strengthening the European critical raw materials supply chain.

With a capacity to process up to 60,000 metric tons per year, CirCular puts Spain and Huelva in an advantageous position in Europe’s e-waste recycling sector as the leader of an innovative industrial project destined to become an international benchmark. The new plant, which has been classified as strategic by both the European Commission and the Regional Government of Andalusia, will be the first of its kind in southern Europe.

Javier Targhetta, Chairman of Atlantic Copper, highlighted the strategic importance of a project “that represents the natural evolution of the Company, which has been contributing to industrial development through metallurgy for half a century now, transforming raw materials into critical metals to drive progress. Today we are taking the next step by adding advanced recycling, to continue building the industry, sustainability and future of Andalusia, Spain and Europe”.

Targhetta stressed how “proud” the Company is to launch this “forward-looking” activity, which will position Spain as a leader in a setting in which access to metals has become a key element in the international balance due to their relevance in transformation processes in strategic industries.

In turn, Macarena Gutiérrez, the Company’s CEO, emphasized that CirCular is “the product of the experience and knowledge that Atlantic Copper has accumulated over the decades, and of the efforts of hundreds of professionals, partners and institutions that helped make it possible”. The Chief Executive Officer noted that the project is evidence of “a new industrial capability for Europe and of the Company’s commitment to continue growing in Huelva, creating jobs and generating economic impact, driving innovation and proving that industrial leadership can g hand in hand with efficiency and sustainability”.

“CirCular is more than just an industrial plant. It is a commitment to the future and to a more competitive, sustainable and resilient industry in Europe; and above all, it shows what we are capable of constructing when we combine experience, talent, innovation and collaboration,” Gutiérrez concluded.

In this regard, Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, underscored the value of the investment made—“550 million euros, which have been generating employment and wealth from day one,”—describing CirCular as “a landmark project with tremendous added value for Andalusia, which reinforces a sustainable industrial model that features circular economy principles. He noted that “Andalusia supports these projects, which considerably strengthen the value system and strategic position of our region in relation to the economy as a whole”.

As such, he considers this to be “an incredibly powerful model for the business and industrial growth of Huelva in Andalusia”, proving that the circular economy is not only a commitment to sustainability, but also to the economic activity, development, progress and wellbeing of the population as a whole, because it drives advanced industrial capabilities, generates technological know-how and creates quality jobs with a lasting positive impact on the surrounding area”.

The regional president highlighted that this technology places Huelva “at the forefront of cutting-edge sectors”, noting the alliance between the initiative and Huelva’s economy. “Those who claim that major industry is the enemy of the local business ecosystem are completely mistaken; this project relies primarily on small and medium enterprises striving to make it feasible”.

Pilar Miranda, Mayor of Huelva, in turn pointed out that “CirCular is not just a major investment. It is a statement of intent. It is Huelva telling Europe that we can do things differently. That we can grow by being more sustainable. That we can generate wealth while protecting the environment. That we can have world-class industry and, at the same time, progress towards a greener city with a better quality of life”.

“Therefore, I would like to congratulate Atlantic Copper and everyone who made this project possible. And beyond congratulations, I would also like to thank Atlantic Copper for its ongoing commitment to Huelva in every aspect, not only in its own industry—we must not forget that the company is the biggest employer in Huelva—but also through its Foundation, which provides constant support for culture and the network of associations in Huelva,” she added.

“If we want to make Huelva the green capital of southern Europe, we need courageous, innovative, committed companies like Atlantic Copper. And we need to continue working together: administrations, companies, universities, employees and civil society to achieve this,” the mayor concluded.

Daniel Calleja, Head of the European Commission Representation in Spain, also took part in the event, emphasizing the European dimension of this project “destined to encourage recycling, which is what the circular economy is all about: going from a disposable economy to a circular economy in which waste becomes a resource”.

Calleja stressed that, as Europe calls for increasing circularity rates in its economy and moves toward the construction of a single market for waste recovery, “this project has repercussions that reach far beyond a local investment, achieving European significance. For this reason it has been designated as a project of strategic European interest, because the materials to be recycled, from copper to nickel and palladium, are essential for the economy of the future”.

“Today, Huelva and Andalusia have become a benchmark for the European circular economy. Europe needs projects like this, which generate economic value and qualified jobs, help us achieve environmental goals, are beneficial to industry and show that competitiveness and sustainability are two sides of the same coin, helping Europe become better prepared for the challenges of the future,” he concluded.