Surplex Auctions Recycled Cardboard Plant and machines of RDM in Spain

Castellbisbal (Spain) – 18 November – Surplex, one of Europe’s leading industrial auction platforms, announces the online auction of a recycled cardboard production plant RDM at its Castellbisbal site near Barcelona.

The sale follows RDM Group’s decision in early 2024 to close the mill due to structural challenges in the European cartonboard sector. The group cited a combination of declining demand in the Iberian market, persistently low capacity-utilisation rates, inflationary cost pressures, and a complex geopolitical environment affecting raw-material and energy markets. Local sources also highlighted the strategic redevelopment potential of the large industrial site as a contributing factor to the shutdown, scheduled to be finalised by February 2026.

With the facility now fully decommissioned, the plant’s equipment is available for purchase via Surplex. This major industrial auction represents a unique opportunity for companies in the packaging, recycling, and paper industries to acquire high-quality machinery and production technology for recycled-cardboard manufacturing, without the long lead times associated with new installations.

Highlights of the installation include:

• Scrap auction - Full plant liquidation
  
• Main machine – Cardboard machine (comprising the main forming, drying, and winding sections to produce recycled cardboard sheets, including headbox, wire section, press section, dryers, and reel-up system) → View details (including a 3D tour!)
  
• Cross-cutting line – Board Sheeting Line (five sheeters + wrapping + labelling) → View details (including a 3D tour!)

• Raw material preparation line (five stock lines with six pulpers, plus a pulper for rejection) → View details

The auction presents an opportunity to acquire recycled cardboard production machines, ideal for expanding operations or entering the growing recycled packaging market.

Global Market Outlook

Surplex expects strong international interest in this auction — particularly from Latin America, Central America, and Asia, where the recycled packaging and containerboard industries are expanding rapidly. These regions are seeing significant growth due to rising e-commerce, urbanization, and sustainability initiatives, with the Asia-Pacific region already accounting for over 50% of global containerboard production (source: Fortune Business Insights, 2024).

Auction Details:

• Location: Castellbisbal (Barcelona area), Spain
  
• Link to Direct Sale: See links above, including 3D tours like this one.

See Spanish text attached.