India is making significant strides in circular economy initiatives to tackle its growing waste crisis. How can the Spain-India bilateral relationship contribute to accelerating these efforts?

The bilateral relationship and collaboration holds immense promise in advancing circular economy initiatives, addressing its growing waste crisis, and fostering sustainable development.  Spain's leadership in circular economy strategies, exemplified by its National Strategy on Circular Economy “España Circular 2030” framework, offers valuable insights into waste reduction and resource efficiency. Firstly, Spain's structured governance of its circular economy strategy—through inter-ministerial commissions and public-private councils—can serve as a roadmap for India to strengthen its regulatory framework. Collaborative efforts could focus on drafting policies that incentivize sustainable practices, enhance waste segregation at the source, and attract investments in recycling infrastructure.

Furthermore, collaboration can contribute significantly through technology transfer and innovation. Spanish companies excel in advanced waste management systems, including waste-to-energy solutions and recycling technologies, which could address India's challenges with unsegregated municipal waste and industrial hazardous waste. For instance, Spain's advancements in anaerobic digestion and gasification could help India convert organic waste into energy, reducing its reliance on landfills. 

On the global stage, both nations are active participants in sustainability forums such as the G20 and the Paris Agreement. By jointly advocating for resource efficiency and circular economy principles at these platforms, partnership and joint efforts can attract international investments while setting benchmarks for other economies. Initiatives like India's proposal for a multi-nation Cities Coalition for Circularity (C3) align well with Spain's commitment to urban sustainability and can foster city-to-city collaborations between the two countries.

What opportunities exist for Indian waste management and recycling companies to invest in Spain’s sustainability initiatives?

With the Spanish waste management market projected to reach €9.80 billion (93100 crore) by 2030, Indian firms can bring their expertise to areas such as waste-to-energy technologies, advanced recycling systems, and circular packaging solutions. For instance, Indian companies experienced in other bioenergy processes (such as the electricity generation or waste-to-fuel technologies) could partner with Spanish municipalities in their projects that align with Spain’s decarbonization goals. 

Similarly, Spain’s compliance with EU directives on single-use plastics and circular packaging also creates demand for sustainable materials, offering Indian producers of recycled resins or eco-friendly packaging solutions a clear market entry point. Furthermore, Spain’s push for composting and organic waste management aligns well with the expertise of Indian firms in biofertilizer production, opening doors for partnerships with Spanish agricultural cooperatives. The country’s strong emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs) provides another avenue for collaboration, allowing Indian companies to bid for municipal contracts related to waste collection, treatment, or infrastructure development.

Spain’s leadership in renewable energy—where nearly 50% of electricity comes from clean sources—further enhances these opportunities. Indian firms could integrate solar or biogas technologies into waste management processes, creating innovative models such as solar-powered recycling facilities. Beyond Spain’s domestic market, its position as a leader in circular economy practices makes it an ideal gateway for Indian companies seeking to expand into the broader European Union. By combining their technological expertise and cost-efficient solutions with Spain’s commitment to sustainability, Indian firms can play a transformative role in advancing Spain’s circular economy goals while accessing a lucrative and expanding market

Are there any key ongoing government agreements driving collaboration between Spain and India in this field? Please share insights 

Several key government agreements and initiatives are driving collaboration between Spain and India in the field of circular economy, fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. 

Among the most significant is the India-Spain Joint Call for R&D&I Projects, now in its 11th edition. This program, jointly funded by India’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) through the Technology Development Board (TDB) and Spain’s Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI), supports bilateral cooperation in industrial research and development. It focuses on critical areas such as circular economy, water technologies, and sustainability. The initiative emphasizes industry-driven projects aimed at developing innovative products, processes, or services with technological interventions that leverage mutual contributions from both nations. By facilitating partnerships between Indian and Spanish companies, this program has become a cornerstone for advancing market-oriented solutions in resource efficiency.

" Several key government agreements and initiatives are driving collaboration between Spain and India in the field of circular economy."

In addition to this bilateral initiative, the EU-India partnership plays a pivotal role in advancing circular economy principles. Governed by the EU-India Joint Declaration on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy, this collaboration supports policy dialogues, research cooperation, and knowledge exchange between Indian and European stakeholders. Notable achievements include the development of three comprehensive circular economy action plans in collaboration with NITI Aayog and sectoral ministries, addressing areas such as e-waste management, sustainable manufacturing, and plastics recycling. The EU-India Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI) has further strengthened this partnership by fostering business collaborations, promoting best practices, and supporting innovations like India’s first Waste Recycling Park in Rajasthan.

What are the key investments or joint ventures currently underway between Spanish and Indian firms in sustainable sectors?

One of the key joint ventures that deserves to be highlighted due to its long-standing success is Urbaser and Urbaser Sumeet, involved in solid waste management and environmental services, with 8 years of experience in Chennai, where they have an ongoing PPP in solid waste management.  

As of today, Urbaser manages about 55% of Greater Chennai Corporation’s municipal area catering nearly 4 million residents with door-to-door waste collection, street sweeping, transportation of waste and scientific landfill management. In terms of the workforce, they employ 14.000 workers in both Chennai and Delhi, and they have 4.500 operating vehicles, 3.000 of them, electric. 

The company is exploring opportunities to expand its services across India, including waste-to-energy projects and bio-medical waste treatment facilities. 

Another outstanding example is Gescrap, actively involved in metal recycling and waste management in India. Operating since 2017, is already a key player in the metal recycling and waste management industry, managing over 10 plants across the country and employing approximately 200 workers. 

The company recycles more than 100,000 tons of ferrous metals annually, primarily catering to the automotive sector. GESCRAP India's efforts align with global sustainability goals, particularly in aiding industries like automotive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, while its operations contribute to resource efficiency and environmental conservation.

"Among the most significant is the India-Spain Joint Call for R&D&I Projects, now in its 11th edition."

What sectors have the greatest potential for Spain-India collaboration in achieving a circular economy? 

One of the most promising areas is water technologies, where Spain’s expertise in wastewater treatment, desalination, and irrigation systems can address India’s challenges in water scarcity and pollution. For example, projects under the India-Spain Joint Call for R&D&I Projects already prioritize innovative solutions in water management, creating avenues for joint research and development.

Renewable energy is another sector with immense potential, particularly as both nations aim to decarbonize their economies. Spain’s leadership in solar, wind, and emerging green hydrogen technologies can support India’s efforts to integrate clean energy into waste management infrastructure, such as biogas plants or solar-powered recycling facilities. 

Agriculture also offers opportunities for circular practices. Indian companies could collaborate with Spanish firms to repurpose agro-waste into high-value products like biofertilizers or sustainable building materials. This approach has already been explored by Indian firms under the India-Spain Joint Call, demonstrating the feasibility of transforming agricultural byproducts into eco-friendly furniture or architectural elements.

The textile and plastics industries present another avenue for collaboration. Spain’s compliance with EU circular economy directives creates demand for sustainable materials and innovative recycling technologies—areas where Indian firms specializing in recycled resins or battery recycling can contribute significantly.

Finally, construction and urban development offer opportunities to implement circular economy principles through smart city initiatives. Spain’s experience in sustainable urban planning can complement India’s growing focus on modernizing cities while reducing construction waste through recycling and extended producer responsibility frameworks.

It was highlighted in the webinar that Spain’s expertise in waste-to-energy, water treatment and emerging digital technologies such as AI and IoT can be tapped by the Indian companies. Are there collaborations with Indian firms or government initiatives in this sector? 

Spain's expertise in waste-to-energy, water treatment, and emerging digital technologies is being leveraged through collaborations with Indian firms and government initiatives, particularly via Spanish companies like IDOM and INDRA Water but show high possibilities of development. 

IDOM, a multidisciplinary engineering and consultancy firm, has actively collaborated with the Indian government in clean energy and waste management sectors. It provides technical assistance for renewable energy projects, such as solar mega-parks under the "Clean Energy Cooperation with India (CECI)" initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). IDOM also specializes in designing and supervising waste infrastructure works, including energy recovery plants, composting centers, and biological mechanical treatment facilities. 

INDRA Water focuses on decentralized wastewater treatment systems using patented electrocoagulation technology. It has successfully treated over 900 million liters of wastewater across industries like textiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. INDRA’s modular systems are compact, cost-effective, and aligned with India's Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms. The company has partnered with major clients like Grasim (Aditya Birla Group) and Unilever for industrial wastewater treatment projects. INDRA’s innovative approach supports India's smart city initiatives by reducing sludge generation, enhancing water recovery, and minimizing environmental impact.

What steps can governments and private players take to accelerate circular economy adoption between Spain and India in the future? 

To accelerate circular economy adoption between Spain and India, governments and private players must embrace innovative approaches that go beyond traditional frameworks. Governments can establish dedicated bilateral task forces focused exclusively on circular economy advancements, enabling streamlined cooperation in policy design, technology transfer, and joint funding mechanisms. 

On the private sector front, companies should explore co-development of disruptive technologies tailored to regional challenges. Spanish firms specializing in smart waste management systems could collaborate with Indian counterparts to design AI-driven platforms for tracking waste flows and optimizing recycling processes. Similarly, leveraging blockchain technology for transparency in material recovery and reuse could revolutionize supply chain sustainability across industries like textiles and electronics.

Governments can also incentivize circular practices through innovative financing models such as green bonds or sustainability-linked loans targeted at waste-to-energy plants, advanced recycling facilities, and renewable-powered manufacturing units. Establishing joint investment funds could encourage businesses from both nations to participate in circular economy ventures while mitigating risks.

Education and capacity-building initiatives are equally crucial. Governments and private players can jointly sponsor academic exchange programs between Spanish and Indian universities to develop expertise in circular economy principles. Additionally, hosting annual forums or hackathons dedicated to circular innovation would bring together diverse stakeholders to brainstorm solutions tailored to the unique needs of both countries.

By thinking boldly—embracing emerging technologies, innovative financing, and knowledge-sharing platforms—Spain and India can not only accelerate circular economy adoption but also set a global benchmark for sustainable collaboration.