The Catalan multinational Roca starts a decarbonization plan with the installation of five electric ovens that will replace the old gas ones in five other factories in Europe. Two of these new facilities will be in Spain. Specifically in Gavà and Burgos. The investment in the decarbonization plan for 2024 amounts to 26 million euros, the group’s CEO Albert Magrans explained this morning from the Austrian Gmunden plant where they have just inaugurated the group’s first electric furnace.
“Everything is part of a long-term strategy,” explained the first executive of the company owned by the Roca family.
The replacement of the ovens will be done gradually. This year, work is scheduled to begin on three locations in Europe, yet to be decided. In the case of Gavà, the CEO explained that they are awaiting receipt of the corresponding administrative authorizations to carry out the comprehensive renovation of the facilities, which includes the new oven. Magrans declined to detail the cost that this remodeling may entail. In the case of the Burgos factory, the investment is partly financed with European aid through a PERTE, so it cannot yet be executed due to calendar issues, the manager detailed.
Magrans has detailed that the change in technology is harmless for employment since the same number of employees is required. Therefore, no more adjustments are foreseen like the one closed at the end of last year in Gavà. During the press conference, the CEO recalled that this process was completely voluntary. The people who left the company in an agreed manner were 168.
