Interview with Alex Lleal, CEO of Lleal
Lleal, founded no less than a century and a half ago, is dedicated to the design and manufacture of industrial machinery for various sectors – including pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, chemicals and painting – which it exports from Granollers (Barcelona) to countries around the world. As a leading company in technological innovation, it has a state-of-the-art laboratory to carry out pilot tests and technical advice, ensuring the viability of the projects. At Expoquimia 2026 it will revalidate its participation as a Premium Partner.
What are the main differentiating elements of Lleal compared to other companies in the sector?
Having a history of more than 150 years, together with a constant commitment to quality and continuous improvement, are undoubtedly our greatest differentials. But, in addition, we are not only machinery manufacturers: we offer a comprehensive service that ranges from technical support for the development of the production process to its validation. In many cases, our work starts with a question from the customer: “We want to manufacture this product, how can we do it?”
At Lleal, every decision is made with the customer as a priority. We listen, analyse and design tailor-made solutions that fit your production needs exactly. We have two laboratories and a pilot plant, one of them with a clean room, and this allows us to carry out tests with the customer’s product and offer the guarantee that the equipment purchased is suitable for their product.
In addition to all this, there is an experienced, dynamic and close team, which shares the company’s values and keeps our capacity for innovation alive. Our intention is to maintain a close, honest and lasting relationship with our customers, who will find in Lleal a solid company, with extensive experience and a firm commitment to offer real solutions for each of them.
Your testing laboratory is one of your company’s keys to innovation. What are the solutions being developed there focusing on, and in general, what role does technological innovation play in the company’s growth strategy?
Innovation is one of the fundamental pillars of Lleal, the engine that drives our growth strategy. Our R+D+i department actively works on the development of new solutions that respond to the changing needs of the market.
During 2024-2025 we have made progress in the development of a new range of horizontal solids dryers, thus expanding our technological offer. At the same time, we have incorporated biocompatible coatings such as BioNitride and BioCarbide in compaction processes, which improve mechanical resistance and protection against corrosion, complying with ISO 13485 standards.
In addition, in 2023 we published two innovative patents related to critical components of our equipment, consolidating our commitment to innovation.
Our equipment incorporates advanced automation and monitoring systems, designed under the principles of Industry 4.0, which allow real-time control of production process parameters – such as viscosity, energy consumption or loss verification – ensuring greater efficiency.
What are the main sectors your company serves today? Are you prioritizing any in particular for the future?
At Lleal we do not prioritise one sector over another, as all our clients are important. Each project receives the same dedication and commitment to offering the best possible solution.
That said, there are sectors with a greater demand for production equipment, especially pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food, three areas that are constantly evolving and subject to demanding regulations that drive the need for continuous innovation. These sectors today concentrate an important part of our activity.
Do you have a specific strategic sustainability plan at Lleal? What initiatives are you carrying out to reduce the environmental impact of your production processes would you highlight?
Sustainability and respect for the environment have been part of our corporate culture for years. We have been ISO 14001 certified since 2013, which demonstrates our commitment to responsible environmental management and continuous improvement.
Years ago we launched a comprehensive energy efficiency plan that included the installation of a photovoltaic plant, which we have been progressively expanding since 2008 until completing its implementation approximately a year and a half ago. Thanks to this, today we can say that we are energy self-sufficient. This plan includes the gradual replacement of gas with electricity and the modernization of production equipment, thus reinforcing our commitment to more sustainable and responsible management of resources.
In addition, we constantly monitor environmental indicators, promote the circular economy and encourage reuse and recycling.
These actions, recognised with the Reduzco 21, 22, 23 and 24 seals, have allowed us to achieve a neutral carbon footprint, consolidating our commitment to cleaner, more responsible and sustainable production.
What are the company’s main markets? Do you have plans for international expansion?
Currently, Lleal exports around 60% of its production to markets mainly in North Africa, Latin America, Asia and, of course, Europe. From our headquarters in Granollers (Barcelona) we offer technical and commercial coverage at a global level, with a specialized assistance service that accompanies the customer throughout the life cycle of the equipment.
Our international growth has been constant and sustained in recent years, and we continue to work to strengthen our presence in new strategic markets, thanks to a solid network of collaborators.
What does it mean for Lleal to be a Premium Partner of Expoquimia? What expectations do you have for your participation in the 2026 edition?
For us, Expoquimia has always been an essential meeting point. We have participated since its inception because we believe in its potential as a benchmark showcase for companies in the chemical and related sectors.
Being a Global Partner allows us to strengthen our visibility and share our expertise with a diverse professional community. We are confident that this next edition will provide us with new opportunities to expand the market, both nationally and internationally.
There are just six months to go before the celebration of Expoquimia, can you tell us about the news you will present?
We are working on the presentation of our new range of horizontal dryers, the result of several years of research and development. We will also present our range of compactors with cantilever rollers, a system that allows a quick change of format, since the rollers can be replaced easily and by non-specialized personnel, in addition to significantly facilitating cleaning tasks.
This new system complements the centred roller configuration, which we also manufacture, and which offers much higher powder pressures, which expands the range of products that can be processed with this type of equipment.
In addition, we will be showcasing updates to our line of mills and mixers, all of which are equipped with advanced control and automation systems.
As in every edition, our goal will be to offer visitors a close and practical vision of how our solutions can contribute to improving their production processes.
What else will the professionals who visit you at the fair find at the Lleal stand?
At Lleal we firmly believe in the value of sharing knowledge. That is why we offer our customers the possibility to carry out tests in our laboratories and work together on the design of their equipment. Visiting Expoquimia is an opportunity to see this philosophy first-hand: that of a company that is committed to innovation, proximity and quality as engines of industrial progress. Every piece of equipment we manufacture undergoes strict quality controls to ensure that we deliver solutions that are reliable, durable, efficient and adapted to the specific regulations of each sector.
What can attending Expoquimia bring to professionals in the sector?
Expoquimia is much more than a fair: it is a space for meeting, learning and collaboration. It allows professionals to learn first-hand about the latest technologies, establish synergies and discover new business opportunities.
