On this occasion, we interviewed Rubén Zamora Mozo, Director of Innovation and Quality at Birziplastik, a startup that transforms plastic waste into recycled and certified raw materials.
What problem does your startup address and what solution does it propose?
Birziplastik addresses the problem of managing complex plastic waste, which currently often ends up in landfills, generating serious environmental impact and high disposal costs for organisations.
Our solution consists of recovering and transforming this plastic waste into 100% recycled and certified raw materials that can be reintroduced into industrial processes. In this way, we help companies reduce material purchasing costs while simultaneously minimising pollution caused by plastic disposal.
Birziplastik’s key differentiating value lies in its ability to centralise all circular economy services within a single organisation, offering companies comprehensive, efficient and sustainable management of their plastic waste: waste management, sorting, recycling and extrusion.
How and why did you start this entrepreneurial journey? Any advice, based on your experience, that you would like to share with future entrepreneurs?
Birziplastik was born from our direct experience in the industrial sector, where we identified a common and urgent problem: the challenges associated with managing complex plastic waste and the need for real circular economy solutions. From the outset, we were convinced that our value proposition was valid because it addressed a clear need with a logical, sustainable solution that benefits both companies and the environment.
Despite widespread doubts about the recyclability of complex plastics and their potential reintroduction into industry, we persevered in our vision. Today, time has proven us right: we have successfully reintroduced more than 2,000 tonnes of recycled technical plastic into industrial processes, driven by a business model aligned with European regulations on sustainability and the circular economy.
Our advice to future entrepreneurs is to firmly believe in your idea and persist even when others doubt it. Real change takes time, effort and conviction. If your proposal delivers genuine value and contributes positively to its environment, perseverance and consistency will eventually turn barriers into opportunities.
How do you expect the sector to evolve? And what are your expectations for your startup?
The recycling and circular economy sector is evolving very positively. Just a few years ago, post-industrial plastics had very low or almost non-existent recycling rates, largely due to the lack of costs associated with landfill disposal. However, thanks to new European policies and stricter environmental legislation, the management and valorisation of plastic waste has become a priority for industrial companies.
The next major challenge will be the management of post-consumer waste from industrial products, such as end-of-life vehicles or electronic equipment, which represent a significant source of recoverable materials. Europe is already moving in this direction through the transposition of Ecodesign and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies, which will require large companies to ensure the recovery and recyclability of their products at the end of their life cycle.
Any developments on the near-term horizon that you would like to share with other startups?
In 2026, Birziplastik will take an important step forward with the inauguration of our new recycling plant in Zalla (Bizkaia). This project represents a strong commitment to the future and a decisive step towards consolidating our circular economy model.
The new facility will feature four polymer recycling lines, one compounding line and an in-house polymer laboratory for the development and certification of high-quality recycled materials. Thanks to this expansion, we will increase our capacity from the current 830 tonnes per year to an estimated annual production of 9,000 tonnes, significantly amplifying our positive impact on both industry and the environment.
In which areas would you like to collaborate with other startups, companies or organisations?
Since its inception, Birziplastik has embraced open innovation as a driver of growth and competitiveness. Over the years, we have participated in more than 18 technology programmes and invested in a space at the BAT Tower in Bilbao, an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that fosters collaboration between startups, established companies and institutions.
We are particularly interested in collaborating with organisations that share our vision of sustainability and wish to move towards more responsible waste management, promoting reuse, recycling and the pursuit of zero waste.