GCR Launches New Recycling Facility and Product Innovations Ahead of K Show 2025

4th June 2025 - GCR has opened one of Europe’s largest and most advanced plastic recycling facilities in Castellet i la Gornal (Barcelona), reinforcing its leadership in sustainable manufacturing. With a capacity to produce over 100,000 tons of post-consumer recycled materials and 30,000 tons of pre-consumer recycled polyolefins annually, the new facility marks a significant step forward in advancing circular economy practices and meeting rising industry demand for high-quality recycled content. The plant includes hot washing systems, next-level purification technologies, optical sorters, and large-scale deodorization—raising material quality, purity, and consistency to industrial-grade standards.

The facility’s launch comes ahead of GCR’s participation in K Show 2025, where the company will officially unveil a newly developed product range—specifically engineered for high-performance applications—under its CICLIC^® product line, a portfolio of high-value post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials that combine environmental responsibility with high performance. The updated CICLIC^® line is designed to meet the needs of continuous production and long-term industrial contracts, offering a consistent and scalable supply of quality recycled material.

In addition, GCR will unveil a newly established brand under a separate company, created specifically to deliver advanced recycled compounding solutions for high-performance applications in the automotive and appliance sectors. “This new facility enables us to support manufacturers and brand owners in reaching their sustainability targets—such as incorporating recycled content and designing for recyclability—without compromising on quality or reliability,” said Sandra Fernandez Freixa, Marketing and Sustainability Director at GCR.

GCR’s commitment to innovation is powered by its dedicated Innovation Hub, home to more than 50 specialists. The company has invested over €10 million to replicate customer production processes and test recycled materials in real-world conditions. These include pentacapa extrusion, cast and blown film, pipe extrusion, compounding, and injection molding lines—allowing GCR to co-develop advanced materials tailored to specific industrial requirements. The company provides customized solutions across a wide range of industries, including packaging, personal care, building and construction, appliances, and automotive.

GCR also continues to grow its successful GRANIC^® line, a range of sustainable mineral masterbatches produced at its facility in La Bisbal del Penedès (Tarragona, Spain). Designed to enhance product functionality while reducing environmental impact, GRANIC^® supports customers seeking to meet both performance and sustainability objectives.

As the plastics industry evolves, GCR remains focused on helping its partners lead the transition to circularity through innovation, specialization, and scalable manufacturing capacity.