Seat has inaugurated this Thursday its new circular economy plant in the old workshop 7 of the Zona Franca de Barcelona, an installation that was already operational since the end of last year and in which the company has invested 4.8 million euros.
The activity of this center focuses on the dismantling of Seat and Cupra vehicles prior to series production to recover parts and components. The objective is to give a second life to these materials within the industrial process and reduce the volume of waste derived from manufacturing.
Recovery of parts before series production
At the plant, cars manufactured in phases prior to their commercial launch are disassembled. From that work, the recovered components will be reused in new vehicles or reconditioned for their subsequent commercialization through external partners.
The company frames this installation within its industrial sustainability strategy. For this year, it foresees reducing by 60% the waste sent to treatment plants compared to 2010, with an eye on a broader objective.
Goal of zero waste in 2050
Seat has set as a goal to reach zero waste by 2050. The Free Trade Zone plant is part of that plan, aimed at utilizing materials and components before they enter the final waste chain.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by André Kleb, Head of Production for the Volkswagen group in the Iberian Peninsula, Hugo Morán, Secretary of State for the Environment, Jordi García, Secretary of State for Industry, Pol Gibert, Secretary General for Business and Labor, and Pere Navarro, special delegate of the State for the Zona Franca Consortium.
With this opening, the car manufacturer strengthens in Barcelona a line of work focused on the reuse of components and on the reduction of the environmental impact associated with its industrial activity.