Saica Strengthens Spanish Recycling Footprint With FCC Ámbito Asset Purchase

Saica Group has agreed to acquire FCC Ámbito’s paper and corrugated board recovery operations in Spain, extending its collection and processing network into Madrid and large parts of northern and western Spain, a move that strengthens the group’s position as consolidation accelerates in the Iberian recycling market, according to company statements and industry reporting.

The deal, executed through Saica’s environmental services arm Saica Natur, transfers a portfolio of facilities and contracts focused on the collection and processing of paper, corrugated board and other non-hazardous commercial and industrial waste. The move broadens Saica’s coverage in key logistics corridors, including the Madrid region, at a time when recycled fiber availability has become a strategic concern for packaging producers.

Spain’s recovered paper market has undergone steady consolidation over the past decade, driven by stricter EU recycling targets, rising compliance costs and the need for scale to secure long-term feedstock. Data published by European industry groups show that paper recycling rates in Spain have remained above 75 percent, but operators face margin pressure from volatile fiber prices and rising labor and energy costs. Large integrated groups have increasingly pursued acquisitions to stabilize supply and improve efficiency.

Under the transaction, Saica takes over operations at seven FCC Ámbito plants located in Madrid, Cáceres, Valladolid, Asturias, Vizcaya, León and Toledo. The acquired business generated about €33 million in revenue in 2024 and employs more than 150 people, who will be integrated into Saica Natur’s existing network. Observers note that the geographic spread strengthens Saica’s ability to serve national customers with multi-site waste management contracts.

Saica Group President and CEO Susana Alejandro described the acquisition as a strategic step to deepen the company’s presence in Iberia and enhance service offerings for industrial clients. FCC enviro CEO Íñigo Sanz said the divestment aligns with FCC’s asset rotation strategy, allowing the group to optimize its portfolio and focus capital on priority growth areas.

Industry analysts say the transaction reflects diverging strategies among major environmental services players, with some doubling down on recycling and circular-economy assets while others streamline operations to improve returns. Packaging producers, meanwhile, continue to push for reliable domestic recovery capacity to reduce exposure to export markets.

Following the acquisition, Saica Natur operates 47 facilities, including 36 in Spain, with the remainder spread across France, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Poland. Its workforce now exceeds 1,700 employees, reinforcing Saica’s position as one of the largest recovered paper operators in southern Europe. Analysts say further consolidation is likely as EU policy and customer demand continue to favor scaled recycling platforms.

Source: Saica

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The FCC Ámbito acquisition extends Saica’s recycling reach across Spain, underscoring how scale and geographic coverage are becoming decisive advantages in Europe’s recovered paper market.