STADLER Anlagenbau GmbH, the globally active German company specialising in the planning, production and assembly of turnkey sorting plants, has successfully completed the comprehensive modernisation of the BZB (Bizkaiko Zabor Berziklategia) light packaging sorting plant in Amorebieta-Extano, Bizkaia. The upgraded facility was officially inaugurated on January 27th, 2026, with representatives from BZB, Ecoembes, STADLER and regional stakeholders in attendance. The modernisation represents a major leap forward in capacity, automation and digitalisation, enabling BZB to significantly increase throughput, improve material purity, and future-proof operations in line with evolving regulatory and market demands.
BZB, a public-private partnership involving Garbiker (part of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia) and Trienekens País Vasco, has been a pioneer in sustainable waste management and recycling in the region. Specialising in the collection, sorting and processing of packaging waste, BZB transforms household and commercial materials into valuable recyclables and plays a vital role in promoting circular economy initiatives across Bizkaia.
The modernisation project holds particular significance for STADLER. The original BZB plant, commissioned in 2002, was the company’s first turnkey sorting facility in Spain and laid the foundation for its long-term presence in the country. Nearly 25 years later, BZB entrusted STADLER once again with the design and delivery of a new-generation plant, reflecting the strength of a partnership grounded in technical expertise and a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation.
“This plant is personally very meaningful to me,” said Carlos Manchado Atienza, International Sales Director at STADLER. “It was the first full facility contract we signed in Spain when I was acting as STADLER’s distributor. Being able to sign up for the new BZB plant today as part of the STADLER team is a true source of pride. I feel genuinely honored to be part of this journey and to see how far we have come.”
“The modernisation of our plant is transformative for BZB,” added Pedro Goicoechea, General Manager Basque Country at BZB Amorebieta. “It allows us to increase efficiency and recover more materials, while positioning us to meet future challenges and sustainability goals.”
The decision to modernise the plant rather than relocate it reflects BZB’s commitment to maximizing the use of existing infrastructure while adopting the most advanced sorting technologies available. Working within the constraints of the original building required precise planning and compact design solutions, but ultimately resulted in a highly efficient and modern installation that far exceeds its predecessor’s performance.
The definition of the sorting criteria was carried out in close coordination with Ecoembes, which, as a system partner, plays a key role in the planning and implementation of the facility.
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