Exclusive interview with José Jiménez from Atlantic Copper – turning e-scrap into strategic resources

ICM: Please give us a brief overview of Atlantic Copper’s activity and values.

José Jiménez: Atlantic Copper is one of Europe’s leading copper producers and a key subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan, a global leader in natural resources. Our main activity is the transformation of copper concentrates into refined copper, which is essential for electrification, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure. Beyond copper production, we are deeply committed to innovation and circular economy principles, integrating advanced technologies to maximize resource efficiency. Our values are rooted in safety, integrity, and environmental responsibility, ensuring that our operations create shared value for society. We prioritize reducing our carbon footprint, promoting recycling, and supporting the communities where we operate while providing basic products to the EU value chain. Atlantic Copper strives to be a benchmark in sustainability, transparency, and operational excellence, contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.

ICM: Tell us about your CirCular project, why do you think it was chosen by the European Commission?

José Jiménez: Our CirCular project is an ambitious initiative focused on valorizing the e-scrap from recycled WEEE and another streams. These complex residues contain valuable metals that are critical for Europe’s green and digital transition. Our project combines cutting-edge metallurgical processes with circular economy principles, turning what was previously considered waste into strategic resources. We believe the European Commission selected CirCular because it aligns perfectly with the EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, addressing key challenges such as resource scarcity and dependency on imports. The project demonstrates industrial symbiosis, innovation, and measurable environmental benefits, reducing landfill waste and CO₂ emissions. It is a clear example of how industry can lead the way toward a more sustainable and resilient European economy. We are glad to announce that our CirCular project is forecasted to start up production in the second half of 2026.

ICM: How do you see this activity developing over the next few years and what are your Group’s ambitions in this market?

José Jiménez: The demand for recycled metals will grow significantly in the coming years, driven by electrification, renewable energy, and the expansion of digital technologies. We anticipate an acceleration in the recovery of critical raw materials from complex waste streams, supported by stricter regulations and sustainability targets. Atlantic Copper’s ambition is to become a major participant in circular metallurgy, integrating advanced recycling technologies into our core business model. We aim to scale up projects like CirCular, creating new value chains for metals such as copper and other metals content in the WEEE. This strategy will strengthen Europe’s resource independence and reduce environmental impact. Our vision is to combine operational excellence with innovation, positioning the Group as a reference in sustainable resource management and contributing to global decarbonization goals.

ICM: You are a sponsor of IERC 2026 in Valencia in January 2026. Why is it important for the Group to be there

José Jiménez: IERC is the world’s leading conference on electronics recycling and resource recovery, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts. For our Company, sponsoring IERC 2026 reflects our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Being present allows us to showcase projects like CirCular, exchange knowledge with global stakeholders, and explore new partnerships that drive circular economy solutions. It is also an opportunity to stay ahead of regulatory developments and technological trends that will shape the future of recycling. Our participation reinforces the Group’s role as a proactive player in the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Ultimately, being at IERC is about contributing to the dialogue on responsible resource management and demonstrating leadership in building a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.