Huelva, March 4, 2026. The Huelva-based company Atlantic Copper, the leading producer of copper and sulfuric acid in Spain, closed financial year 2025 with revenues of 2.807 billion euros and an adjusted operating margin of 34 million, according to the financial report presented by Macarena Gutiérrez, the company’s CEO. The year was marked by the progress made on strategic investments in innovative projects like the new CirCular plant.

The company’s core activity continues to be the sale of refined copper in the form of cathodes. Other revenue, in addition to this line, came from precious metals such as gold and silver, marketed as electrolytic anode slimes, and sales of sulfuric acid and iron silicate. The domestic market represented 43% of sales, followed by other Mediterranean countries, representing 36%, and sales to Asia, accounting for 12%, with total exports reaching 1.560 billion euros.

In terms of production, the Huelva metallurgical complex processed more than 947,000 metric tons of copper ore concentrate, obtaining 250,000 tons of high-purity cathodes, over 910,000 metric tons of sulfuric acid and 88 tons of electrolytic anode slimes rich in precious metals.

CirCular, the principal investment in 2025

The CirCular Project, aimed at bolstering the company’s essential metal recycling capabilities and progressing toward a more sustainable model aligned with the circular economy, was the primary strategic focus during the year. The project, classified as strategic by both the Government of Andalusia and the European Commission, will start production in Q2 and Q3 2026 and features next-generation environmental protection systems occupying 50% of the total project area and accounting for 40% of the investment.

The new plant will be located in the Huelva metallurgical complex, becoming the first in southern Europe capable of recovering valuable metals like copper, gold, silver, platinum, palladium, tin, nickel and zinc from non-ferrous fractions taken from obsolete electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), boasting a treatment capacity of up to 60,000 metric tons per year.

In this regard, the Atlantic Copper’s Chief Executive Officer, Macarena Gutiérrez, emphasized that “2025 was a crucial year for Atlantic Copper, in which we made progress in this strategic project, bolstering our competitiveness in a complex global setting. We remain fully committed to innovation, sustainability and quality job creation, generating value for Huelva and for our industrial chain as a whole.”

 

Competitiveness through innovation

The global setting today highlights the strategic importance of copper and other essential metals for progress in the energy and digital transition. At the same time, the sector operates in an increasingly competitive environment, facing pressure from energy and operating costs, thus forcing industrial firms to constantly improve their efficiency and processes. In response to these challenges, Atlantic Copper has focused steadily on innovation as a means of competitive leverage and continuous improvement. The company allocates 10 million euros per year to R&D&i focused on process optimization and enhancing production and environmental performance. This effort is particularly important at times when major investments are made and efficiency and technological enhancements become key factors in enabling the company to maintain its competitive edge.

Efficiency and sustainability as strategic cornerstones

In terms of energy, the company has increased its consumption of self-generated energy and power purchased under renewable-source PPAs to 62%, up significantly from the rate of 51% reached in 2024.

With regard to environmental performance, over the last decade, Atlantic Copper has reduced its CO2 emissions by 38% and its particulate matter emissions by 49%, gradually progressing in its sustainability goals by investing some 451 million euros over the past ten years.

The social impact of metallurgical operations

In 2025, the company’s activities generated more than 2,900 direct, indirect and induced jobs, consolidating its role as a driving industrial and economic force in the region. The average workforce was 824 employees, 87% of which had permanent contracts, highlighting the company’s commitment to stable, quality employment.

Women made up 20% of the workforce, holding 33% of managerial positions and representing 50% of the Senior Management Committee, having doubled the female workforce over the past decade. Atlantic Copper renewed its Top Employer seal in 2025, thus being recognized as one of the best companies to work for in Spain.

Its support for young talent is also reflected in the Dual Vocational Training program, in which 66% of the participants who completed their training joined the company and female employability reached a rate of 57%.

Furthermore, Atlantic Copper remained firmly committed to society through its Foundation, which devoted more than 600,000 euros to social initiatives in 2025, 57% of which was earmarked for educational activities, including collaboration with the University of Huelva, internship programs and environmental education projects.