- The plant will receive over €800 million investment and start operations in 2029.
- It will process 400,000 tons of waste annually into 240,000 tons of renewable products.
- The project will create 340 permanent jobs and 2,800 construction jobs.
- The EU Innovation Fund supports it for its emission reduction potential.
Investment and Location
Repsol is set to invest over €800 million in the Ecoplant located in Tarragona. This facility will be the first in Europe to produce renewable and circular methanol from waste through gasification, a process developed by Enerkem, a partner of Repsol.
Production Capacity
The plant will process up to 400,000 tons of municipal solid waste annually, converting it into 240,000 tons of renewable fuels and circular products. The renewable methanol will be derived from organic waste, while circular products will come from non-organic waste like non-recyclable plastics.
Timeline and Employment
Scheduled to start operations in 2029, the project will create 340 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, along with approximately 2,800 jobs during the construction phase. The plant will be integrated into Repsol's industrial complex in Tarragona, leveraging existing infrastructure.
EU Support and Environmental Impact
The Ecoplant has been selected by the European Union's Innovation Fund for its high potential in reducing emissions and its innovative approach. It is expected to cut 3.4 million tons of CO2 emissions over its first decade of operation.
Decarbonizing Transport
The plant will produce renewable methanol for maritime and road transport, as well as for sustainable aviation fuel. This aligns with the EU's goals to reduce carbon intensity in maritime transport by 40% by 2030 and 75% by 2050.
Future Prospects
Repsol aims to lead renewable fuel production in the Iberian Peninsula, targeting 1.5 to 1.7 million tons annually by 2027 and up to 2.7 million tons by 2030, including renewable hydrogen and biomethane.
