The combination of climate pressure and the ambitious European goals for a circular economy is profoundly transforming the industrial landscape. In this context, Spain faces a strategic opportunity: to become a European leader in textile recycling. At Coleo, we believe in this vision, and we’re committed to making it happen.
An industrial base still alive
Unlike other European countries where offshoring has left industrial voids difficult to recover, Spain still maintains an active network of textile industries. This infrastructure, though under pressure, is a solid starting point to build new, more sustainable value chains. Existing capabilities in shredding, spinning, weaving, finishing, and garment manufacturing across different regions of the country offer the ideal foundation for scaling textile recycling.
In addition, Spain holds a strategic geographic position: close to the major logistics centres in northern and central Europe, while also connected to North Africa—a key region for labour-intensive tasks like garment manufacturing. This physical proximity not only helps reduce logistics costs and carbon footprint but also enables the creation of supply chains based on proximity and speed—key factors in meeting market demands.
An ecosystem ready to evolve
From a retail perspective, the Spanish market is home to internationally recognised brands, strong distribution chains, and growing awareness of sustainability. When combined with the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, the regulatory push from Europe, and the technical maturity of technologies such as waste identification, traceability, and mechanical and chemical recycling—the path is clear.
But the key lies in the raw material: post-consumer textile waste and how we turn it into a valuable resource.
From opportunity to commitment
At Coleo, we are building the infrastructure needed to transform waste into new raw material: sorting and valorisation plants, proprietary fibre identification technology, traceability systems, and industrial partnerships that make real circularity possible. We are committed to a local, transparent value chain.
Spain has a real opportunity to lead Europe in textile recycling; thanks to its industry, geography, talent, and capacity for leadership.
The question is no longer whether Spain can become a recycling hub.
The real question is: when will you join the challenge?
Marc Puyuelo – Head of Strategy
