- A commitment to circular economy and environmental stewardship. The project, which will not use wood, will rely on recycled cardboard and paper as raw materials and will require minimal water consumption.
- Renewable energy. The plant will be self‑sufficient in renewable energy, generated from by‑products of the local forestry industry, and will not use fossil fuels.
- Commitment to a just transition. The new facility is an example of community engagement and a just transition, as it will be located on the industrial grounds of a former coal‑fired power plant.
Ence’s recycled fiber bioplant project in As Pontes (A Coruña) has been provisionally selected to receive €24.7 million under Line 4 of the Industrial Decarbonization PERTE, led by Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism.
Specifically, the initiative has been awarded a grant of €24,691,726 within the call for “Aid for Highly Efficient and Decarbonized Manufacturing Facilities,” included in the 2025 Industrial Decarbonization PERTE, according to the provisional list of approved applications published by the Ministry.
Commitment to the circular economy and environmental care
Last August, the regional government of Galicia granted the plant its Integrated Environmental Authorization (IEA), a highly significant milestone for both the project and the company.
As Pontes will be a world pioneer in producing bleached recycled fiber from recovered paper and cardboard, giving these materials a new life and fully aligning with circular economy principles.
In designing this project—the first in Europe to manufacture bleached recycled fiber from recovered paper and cardboard—Ence prioritized its commitment to energy independence. The plant will be self‑sufficient in renewable energy generated from by‑products of the local forestry industry and will not use fossil fuels.
In line with Ence’s circular economy goals, As Pontes will be the first facility in the sector in Europe to apply TCF (totally chlorine‑free) bleaching technology to recycled fibers.
Just transition
The project is located on the industrial grounds of the former As Pontes coal‑fired power plant, serving as a tangible example of a just transition and contributing to the sustainable development of the local community.
Additionally, Ence is advancing Regatex, a pilot textile recycling plant aimed at developing an innovative system for recovering value from textile waste. In collaboration with the Swedish startup Sharetex, the company has succeeded in producing recycled cellulose from polycotton—a material that is notoriously difficult to recycle—opening new pathways for circular management of clothing and textiles.
