Euskadi will drive the Basque Zirkular Metals project with the goal of leading the European circular steel industry. The initiative seeks to position the region among Europe's leading areas in the circular transformation of steel and metals, strengthening Basque industrial strategic autonomy, access to key materials, and innovation capacity.
The project will operate across six industrial sectors: steelmaking, automotive, sustainable mobility, wind energy, advanced manufacturing, and construction. Approximately 25 million euros are expected to be mobilized, involving 11 industrial leaders, 5 industrial clusters, and agents from the Basque Network of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
The aim is to advance towards higher value-added and low-carbon metallic products, reduce external dependence on raw materials, and anticipate new European circularity and decarbonization requirements. This will involve addressing aspects such as access to quality scrap, technological improvement, material traceability, eco-design, and new business models.
The first major milestone in 2026 will be the launch of the Digital Product Passport in Euskadi, responding to the European Union's requirement for digital traceability of steel, aluminum, and other metallic products.
Mikel Jauregi, the Basque Government's Minister of Industry, Energy Transition, and Sustainability, presented the project, which is part of the Euskadi 2030 Industrial Plan. This is the sixteenth project out of the plan's 25 initiatives and the tenth to be led by the public sector.
Steel and metals are a historical cornerstone of Euskadi's industrial model, playing a crucial role in its economic activity, accounting for 49% of the gross industrial value added and supporting over 110,000 jobs.
The project aims to enhance industrial competitiveness, ensure access to strategic materials, and create new opportunities for innovation, investment, and quality employment, thereby positioning Euskadi as a European leader in the circular transformation of steel and metals.
Participating entities include ArcelorMittal Sestao, Sidenor, Grupo Tubacex, Gescrap, CAF, Gestamp, Gamesa Gearbox, Haizea Wind Group, Viuda de Sainz, Etxetar, and FMD Carbide, along with clusters BRTA, EHU, TKNIKA, Siderex, AFM, Buid:INN, Acicae, and Aclima.
