Vidrala profit drops 26% in 2025 as energy crisis hits business
Vidrala cuts jobs restructuring to impact UK operations
Delclaux ramps up investment in B.Power biomethane as a response to market challenges
In 2025, Vidrala faced a profit slump and job cuts. The Delclaux family is seeking new investment directions. The energy crisis has increased pressure on the glass business.
Soaring gas prices and instability in Europe’s energy markets in 2026 posed a serious challenge for Vidrala — a key asset of the Delclaux family. The company, whose furnaces run around the clock and rely on steady fuel supplies, found itself in the middle of a financial storm. Gas prices surged nearly 70% in a week, forcing management to rethink their strategy and announce job cuts in the UK. For one of Europe’s largest glass packaging producers, these are more than temporary setbacks — it’s a clear signal that urgent changes are needed.
Last year, Vidrala already felt the impact of declining demand for beverage and food packaging. The company’s net profit dropped to €219.6 million, 26% less than the previous year. Sales also fell, reaching €1.465 billion. The reasons include not only the energy crisis but also the absence of one-off gains that supported results in 2024. Back then, the sale of a plant in Italy brought the company about €60 million, but that factor is no longer in play.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Vidrala cannot indefinitely pass rising costs onto its clients. The increasing price of glass packaging is prompting beverage and food producers to look for alternatives—such as plastic or cardboard. This poses a threat to sales volumes and forces the company to balance between maintaining margins and retaining customers. According to russpain.com, if energy prices remain high, Vidrala will need to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and seek additional sources of income.
Job cuts and dividends
In response to deteriorating financial performance, Vidrala has announced a cost optimization program. The primary impact will be on its UK divisions, where layoffs have already been announced. Exact numbers have not been disclosed, but the restructuring is expected to cost the company €13.7 million. Despite this, shareholders received a pleasant surprise: the annual dividend has been increased by 15%. This move appears to be an attempt to maintain investor confidence and highlight the stability of the business even in difficult conditions.
At the same time, the Delclaux family has ramped up efforts to diversify its assets. Recently, Carlos Delclaux Zulueta’s family office invested around €30 million in B.Power, a company specializing in biomethane. This sector is considered promising amid Europe’s push for energy independence and a shift toward renewable energy. B.Power is developing projects to process agricultural and urban waste into biofuel and organic fertilizers, which should reduce dependence on traditional gas.
Biomethane and protests
However, not all of Delclaux’s initiatives receive support. In regions where B.Power plans to build new facilities, disputes are emerging. In Navarra and other autonomous communities, residents are collecting signatures against the construction of biogas plants, citing environmental and social concerns. Over 10,000 people have spoken out against projects in Viana, Los Arcos, and Cintruénigo. Despite the protests, the company is moving forward with 17 projects across different regions of Spain, aiming to create an integrated platform for the production and operation of biomethane plants.
Delclaux’s diversification strategy goes beyond the energy sector. The family owns about a quarter of Vidrala’s shares and manages assets through Mugarburu, Urdala 21, and Bidaroa structures, as well as investing in real estate. This approach reduces risks and preserves their influence over key company decisions. In recent years, Vidrala has expanded internationally: the acquisition of Brazil’s Vidroporto in 2023 strengthened its position in Latin America, while British assets opened access to one of Europe’s largest markets.
Historical roots
The Delclaux dynasty traces its history back to the 19th century, when Luis Delclaux Maque arrived in the Basque Country from Belgium to take part in industrial projects. The family’s true business growth is linked to Isidoro Delclaux Aróstegui, who not only developed the glassmaking industry but also held key positions in the region’s economy and politics. During the Franco era, he served as a deputy, oversaw the construction of the Bilbao port, and chaired the Chamber of Commerce. Since 1965, after launching a factory in Llodio, the family business grew rapidly, and in the 21st century, under the leadership of Alvaro and Carlos Delclaux Zulueta, the company reached an international level.
The Delclaux family is known not only for their successes but also for tragic events. In 1996, lawyer Cosme Delclaux was kidnapped by the ETA group and held captive for 233 days. His relatives paid a ransom of one billion pesetas for his release. This case became one of the most high-profile incidents in Spain’s history and is still remembered as an example of the pressure exerted on big business by extremists.
Interestingly, Spain recently saw another high-profile change in ownership of a major family asset: the Cantora estate, associated with Isabel Pantoja, changed hands, which also sparked widespread public debate and discussion about the future of historic properties.
The Delclaux family remains one of the most influential in Spain’s industrial sector. Their strategy combines tradition with innovation and a constant search for new investment opportunities. Despite crises and challenges, the Delclaux have shown an ability to adapt and maintain their leadership in a changing world. In the coming years, much will depend on how successfully they implement renewable energy projects and keep their position in key markets.
