Huelva, February 7, 2025. Atlantic Copper is advancing toward the launch of ‘CirCular’, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026, after completion of the project’s construction work. Together with specialized contractor companies, Atlantic Copper technicians have begun the mechanical assembly work in the material reception and sampling area (MRS), including the installation of the particle collection system inside the warehouses that will guarantee compliance with the most demanding environmental standards.

This infrastructure will be equipped with the most advanced ambient air cleaning system, consisting of catchment hoods, pipes, state-of-the-art filters and a clean air exhaust stack, which will make it possible to capture any particles generated during the raw material processing and avoid dust emissions into the surrounding environment.

Innovative project

Declared of strategic interest for Andalusia and boasting an investment of 400 million euros, ‘CirCular’ is structured in two distinct areas: the MRS area, where electronic material with high copper, gold, silver, platinum and palladium content will be received and sorted, and the TSL area, located within Atlantic Copper’s current facilities. This is the location of the furnace that will melt down the raw material to convert it into semi-finished copper, which will subsequently be incorporated into the existing smelter.

The project will have the capacity to annually process 60,000 tons of this type of material, rich in metals essential for the great challenges of the 21st century, such as the energy transition or digitalization. Moreover, it will generate 350 direct and indirect jobs in Huelva, promoting quality employment, in addition to over 600 jobs during the construction phase.

Recently, Atlantic Copper and Adecco Consulting launched a training program in Basic Metallurgical Plant Operations for up to 120 students, and the program includes a commitment to hire 40% of participants. The initiative has received 900 applications.

With ‘CirCular’, Spain joins the group of countries that sustainably manage e-waste at the end of its useful life, together with USA, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, France, Japan, South Korea and Canada, thus contributing to the objectives of the European Green Deal.

For Macarena Gutiérrez, Chief Administrator Officer of Atlantic Copper, “CirCular represents a decisive step in our commitment to the circular economy and sustainability. With this project, we not only reinforce our capacity to recover strategic metals; we also consolidate Huelva as an industrial benchmark.”