Catalyxx, a technology company that combines bio-based feedstocks with advanced chemical processes to produce cost-competitive, fossil-identical chemicals with a negative carbon footprint, has secured a European grant of more than €20 million through RenewChem, a flagship project selected by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).
The funding will support the construction of Catalyxx's first commercial plant for the production of bio-based chemicals in Europe, marking a major milestone in the company's transition from technology demonstration to commercial deployment.
Through RenewChem, Catalyxx is leading a consortium comprising key players in the chemical industry, including Arkema and Evonik, bringing together leading industrial, technology and innovation partners from across Europe. The consortium is developing Europe's first industrial-scale production of bio-based higher alcohols from ethanol, with the objective of delivering drop-in bio-based chemicals that are molecularly identical to their fossil-based counterparts and fully compatible with existing industrial infrastructure, applications and value chains. The participation of Catalyxx, Arkema and Evonik underscores both the strategic importance of the project and the growing market demand for high-performance sustainable chemical solutions.
"This is a defining milestone for Catalyxx," said Joaquín Alarcón, CEO of Catalyxx. "Securing this level of European support validates both the strength of our technology and the relevance of our industrial strategy. RenewChem will accelerate our transition to industrial-scale production and bring bio-based chemicals to market that the industry can adopt using existing applications and supply chains. In today's geopolitical and industrial environment, strengthening Europe's security of supply and strategic autonomy across critical chemical value chains is becoming increasingly important, and we believe Catalyxx can play a meaningful role in that transition."
Catalyxx's patented technology converts ethanol into butanol, hexanol and a blend of higher alcohols, key chemical intermediates used across a broad range of chemical value chains, including coatings, resins, adhesives, lubricants, surfactants, home and personal care products, flavours and fragrances, and sustainable fuels. These products are designed to deliver the same, or even enhanced, performance and compatibility as conventional petrochemical alternatives while reducing dependence on fossil feedstocks and improving the sustainability profile of chemical value chains.
The grant comes at a pivotal moment for the European chemical industry, which faces the dual challenge of decarbonising production while preserving industrial competitiveness, security of supply and strategic autonomy. By enabling the industrial-scale production of renewable drop-in chemicals, Catalyxx aims to provide a practical pathway for the sector to reduce its carbon footprint without requiring changes to downstream processes.
"Our value proposition is simple: the same chemicals the industry already uses, produced from renewable carbon with a significantly improved sustainability profile," added Alarcón. "Identical chemicals. Just better."
With this milestone, Catalyxx advances its mission to deliver chemicals for the 21st century: renewable, decarbonised and fully compatible solutions for a more sustainable chemical industry.
About Catalyxx
Catalyxx transforms bioethanol into conventional-equivalent chemicals that are cost-competitive and have a negative carbon footprint. We help our customers diversify their supply chains and reduce CO₂ emissions without compromising profitability, existing infrastructure or product performance.
Our mission is to replace fossil-based chemicals and lead the chemical industry's transition towards greater sustainability, efficiency and environmental responsibility.
For more information about Catalyxx, please visit https://www.catalyxxinc.com/.
About RenewChem
RenewChem is a flagship European project selected by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) to demonstrate the first industrial-scale production of bio-based higher alcohols from ethanol. Coordinated and led by Catalyxx, the project brings together a European consortium of industrial, technology and innovation partners, including Arkema, Evonik and Magfi, with the objective of accelerating the deployment of renewable drop-in chemicals and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable and strategically independent European chemical industry.
cloud technology axon
The European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Ba...
