“Our expansion relies on adapting to each market with product, technology and local partnerships”

That’s how I first learned about the project — at the time, it was still just an idea on paper. In fact, I still have the printed presentation they showed me. I was immediately drawn to it and joined the team that same year. Back then, the company consisted of only six people. Today, we are more than 600 worldwide, and I’m proud to say I’ve been part of the project since the very beginning.

When I came on board, the technology hadn’t yet been validated, and the machine hadn’t even been built. I can proudly say I’m the longest-serving employee — though not the oldest! (laughs)

How do Molecor’s PVC-O-based solutions help improve the efficiency and sustainability of water infrastructure in the face of challenges such as water scarcity or network losses?

Molecor was founded with the idea of manufacturing-oriented PVC (PVC-O) pipes using completely new technology, and from the very beginning, sustainability was at the heart of the project. Our initial goal was to develop a much more efficient process with lower energy consumption, something we successfully achieved.

Our initial goal was to develop a much more efficient process with lower energy consumption, something we successfully achieved

The development of our products has remained fully aligned with that original vision. The molecular orientation applied to PVC in pressure applications, such as our TOM® and ecoFITTOM® ranges, and in irrigation with our TR6® model, enables us to offer solutions that, among other benefits, require less raw material, are easier to install, have a larger internal diameter (which allows for greater water flow), and feature a smoother internal surface, which reduces head loss and, as a result, lowers energy consumption during operation.

In addition, our pipes and fittings offer proven watertightness and exceptional durability. We have tests and studies that certify a service life of over 100 years. All of this makes our solutions particularly well-suited to contexts of water scarcity. When water is limited, the priority is not to lose it — and at Molecor, we aim is to offer pipes and fittings that do not need to be replaced shortly after installation due to leaks. This is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of water infrastructure systems.

In addition to product innovation, Molecor combines the development of proprietary machinery with pipe manufacturing. How do you manage this duality, and what value does it bring to offer both the technology and the final product?

For me, this duality is one of Molecor’s greatest strengths. We’re a very unique company within the water industry because we don’t just manufacture pipes — we also develop the technology to produce them. This combination is rare in our sector and undoubtedly gives us a significant competitive edge.

What makes it work so well is the way we integrate feedback from the market — gathered through our sales force and direct contact with clients — into our innovation and technological development processes. This immediate connection between real-world demand and product evolution is fundamental to our success.

There are many brilliant professionals with deep expertise in materials, processes, technologies, and drive systems. But if innovation doesn’t take into account what’s happening outside — if it ignores sustainability, upcoming regulations, or the actual needs of users — it’s unlikely to succeed. You end up disconnected from the market.

Since day one, we’ve focused on maintaining that connection. Our aim has always been to align our technological innovation with the demands of the environment. And this also holds true internationally. Our global expansion benefits enormously from this model: having both the technology and the product allows us to adapt and develop efficient, sustainable and innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of each market around the world.

This technological commitment goes hand in hand with a strong environmental focus. How does Molecor integrate sustainability into its operations, and how does this commitment influence your commercial and marketing strategy — ensuring credibility and avoiding greenwashing?

Sustainability has been embedded in Molecor’s DNA from the very beginning. From the first prototypes, the technology we developed turned out to be even more efficient than expected: actual energy consumption was lower than the savings we had initially forecasted. In addition, our products require less resin than other market alternatives, making them not only more sustainable but also more energy efficient.

This environmental positioning was formalised in 2023, when we launched our dedicated sustainability strategy, built around more than 400 concrete actions. We are currently executing that roadmap, which runs through 2025, and we already plan to introduce a new strategy in 2026 to continue moving forward. One of the central pillars of this commitment is our target of achieving climate neutrality by 2040, ten years ahead of the European Union’s Net Zero 2050 goal.

We also place great emphasis on internal communication. We want every member of our team to understand that they are part of a company that is actively working to build a better future. Today, this is more important than ever, especially in a context where plastic is often broadly criticised. At Molecor, we believe the issue is not about demonising materials, but about proving — with data and facts — that it’s possible to produce plastic solutions that are responsible, sustainable and aligned with the major environmental challenges of our time.

In addition to these specific actions, your latest sustainability report outlines significant progress. What key achievements would you highlight, and how does this reporting exercise help you define future ESG goals and improve your environmental and social performance?

We’ve been working with a strong focus on sustainability for many years — virtually since Molecor’s inception in 2006–2007. In recent years, we’ve consolidated a comprehensive ESG framework that covers all three pillars: environmental, social, and governance.

Our products require less resin than other market alternatives, making them not only more sustainable but also more energy efficient

On the environmental front, several milestones stand out. One is our ISO 50001 certification, which enables us to manage energy consumption more efficiently across our plants. Another is the achievement of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all our product ranges, which reinforces the transparency and credibility of our offering. We’re also a benchmark in the European initiative Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), aimed at reducing microplastic losses in manufacturing processes. Not only did we join the initiative — we were among the first pipe manufacturers to achieve certification, because we believe it’s not enough to say you’re doing things right; you have to prove it through audits and third-party validation.

In the social dimension, we’ve launched the Molecor HR platform, which allows us to manage human capital in an integrated way. It includes training, workplace climate monitoring and performance evaluation — not only based on objectives, but also on the values we promote as a company. It’s a more human approach, aligned with our corporate culture.

In terms of governance, we’ve adopted our Code of Ethics and Conduct, and we’ve joined the Spanish network of the United Nations Global Compact, which involves continuous alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While we’re clearly connected to SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), as an industrial company, we also contribute to many others related to sustainable development.

This entire process of data collection, measurement and analysis — reflected in our sustainability report — is far more than just a transparency exercise. It’s a strategic tool that helps us define our next objectives, especially as we prepare our updated sustainability roadmap for 2026. It enables us to identify strengths, detect areas for improvement, and explore new opportunities to further reduce our environmental footprint, enhance our social impact, and strengthen our ethical and governance practices.

All of this has supported your global expansion. With operations in four countries and exports to over 30, how do you identify strategic partners and adapt your offering to different markets to ensure successful growth?

I always say that Molecor was born internationally. Back then, we were just six people in a startup trying to validate a prototype, and the first machine we sold went to Australia. But I would also like to clarify: selling a machine in Australia doesn’t automatically make you an international company. We've learned a great deal along the way — and we've learned it by doing.

Initially, our strategy was to export the technology and start producing in Spain as soon as possible. However, the economic context forced us to adapt. The 2008 financial crisis — and its impact on the construction sector in Spain — led us to reconsider that roadmap. While many companies in our industry were shutting down, we began to grow, although with clear limitations. That ability to adapt strategy to the environment has been critical to our development and remains one of our guiding principles.

When it came to selecting markets, we focused on countries where there was already a culture of using PVC in water infrastructure. For instance, while in countries like Germany PVC is rarely used for potable water, in places like India, the United States, South Africa or Australia, it is widely established. That helped us target our efforts more effectively.

We also looked at technical standards. In many countries, there were no existing regulations for PVC-O, so in several cases — such as India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia — we actively contributed to the development of the technical standards needed to introduce our solutions.

Today, we have manufacturing facilities in Spain, South Africa, Paraguay, and Malaysia, and we’re about to open a new plant in Turkey. We're also developing new projects in Southeast Asia, North America, and South America, and actively exploring opportunities in Eastern and Western Africa.

Our international expansion focuses primarily on pressure applications, where our technology brings the greatest added value. But as we establish ourselves in a market, we often find opportunities to introduce other product ranges such as sanitation, building applications, or inspection chambers, allowing us to develop a broader presence locally.

And there’s a key factor worth highlighting: in some cases — where there was no comparable alternative — we are the only company in the world producing certain solutions, such as PVC-O fittings. That further strengthens our value proposition and makes it easier to enter new markets.

A key part of your positioning strategy involves participating in major industry events. Molecor will take part in K 2025, which will focus on digitalisation, circular economy and climate. What are your objectives for this event, and what new developments will you be showcasing in line with these themes?

The K trade fair has always held a special place in Molecor’s history. It’s the benchmark event in the field of infrastructure solutions—particularly from the perspective of technology and innovation. Held every three years in Düsseldorf, it’s been part of our journey from the start: in 2007, just as we had validated our first prototype, we attended for the first time. At that point, there were only six of us in the company—and we all went. We didn’t hold back because we knew it was a moment to go all in or walk away.

We are the only company in the world producing certain solutions, such as PVC-O fittings, further strengthening our value proposition

We weren’t even exhibitors that year, but we were already showcasing our technology and engaging with potential clients and partners. I remember that edition as a truly remarkable technical experience. Since then, every K fair has represented a challenge for us: to bring something new, to show progress, and to reinforce our position as a global leader in PVC-O technology.

K 2025 will be no exception. In addition to maintaining our leadership in large diameters and PVC-O fittings—where we are still unique in the market—we will be presenting a new product based on oriented technology for sanitation applications. It’s a major innovation that we haven’t launched yet. We’re waiting to complete all certifications and testing so that we can present it with full credibility, backed by independent third-party validation. It’s not just about saying we’ve made a better product—we want to prove it with hard data and solid technical evidence.

From a strategic standpoint, the K fair is also a key meeting point for us, bringing together more than 200 clients and industry contacts. But beyond the commercial dimension, what really matters to us is the message: every three years, Molecor has something new to share. That’s not easy to achieve—especially for a company that will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary. It requires resources, commitment and a significant investment, but we firmly believe it’s worth it. It positions us exactly where we want to be: as a company that leads through technological innovation.

Moreover, in this upcoming edition, and in full alignment with the themes of digitalisation, circular economy and climate action, we’ll also present new developments that go beyond PVC-O—particularly in our building applications range, where we’re applying circular economy principles and using recycled materials. Ultimately, we want to keep proving that innovation is not just about flagship products—it’s about rethinking all our solutions to make them more sustainable and better suited to the challenges of our time.