The new plant will be in Granollers where Plasticband is headquartered and is scheduled for completion by late 2022. The new building is to be fitted with state-of-the-art technology to cut the firm’s carbon footprint including solar panels for self-supply, systems to harvest river water for use in production, watering landscaped areas and cleaning, and also low energy lighting. It has additionally been designed to make the most of sunlight to enable staff to work in natural light for as long as possible.

With a view to unlocking clean and sustainable mobility, the factory will have an underground car park featuring charging points for electric cars along with facilities for electric bikes and scooters.

Plasticband CEO Jordi Guimet points out that sustainable manufacturing is one of the firm’s core values. “When we started manufacturing our products with solar power 25 years ago, everyone thought we were crazy,” he says. “Building our green factory is another milestone in our quest for sustainable and environmentally friendly manufacturing.”

The company estimates that the start-up of this new facility will bring about a further 5% reduction in its carbon footprint while also driving the firm’s growth. Guimet acknowledges that “the ICF’s funding has enabled us to continue to manufacture competitively and sustainably in Catalonia.”

Ever since it started trading in 1978, Plasticband has tailored its business model to meet the changing needs of its customers and the economic and social context. “In spite of current logistical problems and the shortage of components, we are the fastest manufacturer in our category in Europe largely down to our local production with local suppliers,” notes Guimet.

Plasticband’s goal is to continue to grow strongly while remaining fully committed to a responsible and sustainable business model.

About ICF

The Institut Català de Finances is the Catalonia public financial institution. Its mission is to foster funding for the business community in Catalonia in order to support the growth, innovation and sustainability of the Catalan economy. The ICF is complementary to the private sector by offering a wide range of financing solutions focusing on loans, guarantees and venture capital. Since 2014 it has been a member of the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB), which brings together public banks and financial institutions operating in Europe.