- ABB Spain’s Oiartzun factory now runs entirely on renewable power, supported by heat recovery and digital energy management
- The factory has reduced energy consumption by 42 percent since 2019, supported by digital monitoring and high-efficiency upgrades
- Advances circular design with EcoSolutions™ products made from up to 95 percent recycled materials
ABB’s factory in Oiartzun, Spain, has reached a major sustainability milestone, becoming the first ABB site in Spain to achieve zero operational emissions under the company’s global Mission to Zero™ program. The site produces wiring accessories and smart home solutions designed to enhance comfort, safety, and energy efficiency in homes. This achievement positions the Oiartzun facility as a national benchmark for industrial decarbonization and sustainable manufacturing.
Over the past five years, the 110-year-old plant has achieved a 42 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to 2019 levels, driven by a sustainability roadmap focused on electrification, automation, energy management, heat recovery, and process optimization. The site has also eliminated fossil fuel use, operating entirely on renewable electricity generated on-site and from certified sources.
The Oiartzun factory now meets 100 percent of its energy demand through renewables, supported by more than 580 kWp of photovoltaic panels installed on-site. The factory also uses ABB building automation and energy management technologies to optimize lighting, heating, and power distribution across the site. Energy performance is monitored through ABB eLink, a digital platform that provides real-time visibility into energy consumption and helps teams make informed decisions to enhance efficiency and reliability. The facility is also equipped with EV charging stations, supporting ABB’s transition toward clean and electrified operations.
“Achieving zero operational emissions at our Oiartzun site marks another important step on ABB’s Mission to Zero™ journey,” said Mike Mustapha, President, ABB Electrification’s Smart Buildings Division. “As our first facility in Spain to reach this milestone – and one of many sites worldwide advancing toward the same goal – it shows how we are turning ambition into action: electrifying our operations, embedding circular design, and using digital energy management to make decarbonization real. Through this progress, we aim to set a benchmark for sustainable manufacturing and help customers accelerate their own transition to net zero.”
Beyond decarbonization, the site's sustainability strategy spans social commitment, efficiency, and circularity. The factory is certified to ISO 50001 for energy management and has achieved Zero Waste to Landfill status, reinforcing its commitment to responsible resource use. Under ABB’s EcoSolutions™ framework, all products are designed and verified to meet rigorous environmental standards.
This approach is exemplified by ABB's latest wiring accessories product lines, which use up to 95 percent recycled materials in painted finishes and feature 100 percent recyclable switch inserts – clear examples of innovation designed for a circular economy.
Collaboration plays a key role in this transformation. The Oiartzun factory works closely with technology centers, suppliers, and circular-economy forums to continuously advance sustainable manufacturing and stay aligned with evolving market and regulatory standards.
This commitment to sustainability also extends beyond the factory floor. Through Aukerak Sortzen (“Creating Opportunities”), employees drive local community and social initiatives – from beach cleanups and blood donation campaigns to projects promoting local food and the Basque language as part of the local identity.
The Oiartzun factory joins ABB’s growing network of Mission to Zero™ sites around the world – from India and Finland to the US and China – all leading the transition to low-carbon, energy-efficient, and circular operations through electrification and digital innovation.
For more information on ABB’s sustainability efforts and Mission to Zero™, visit https://new.abb.com/sustainability
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
About ABB Electrification
ABB Electrification is a global technology leader enabling the efficient and reliable distribution of electricity from source to socket. With more than 50,000 employees across 100 countries, we collaborate with our customers and partners to solve the world’s greatest challenges in electrical distribution and energy management. As the energy transition accelerates and electricity demands grow, we are electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way. At ABB, we are engineered to outrun, and we are passionate about helping our customers and partners do the same. go.abb/electrification
