Catalyxx has secured €20 million in European Union funding to accelerate the construction of its first commercial bio-based chemicals plant in Europe, marking a major step forward in the company’s move from technology demonstration to industrial-scale production.

 

The funding comes through RenewChem, a flagship project selected by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU), and will support Catalyxx’s efforts to commercialize its breakthrough technology for producing drop-in, cost-competitive, carbon-negative chemicals from bio-feedstocks.

 

Catalyxx is leading the RenewChem consortium alongside chemical industry leaders Arkema and Evonik, bringing together a network of industrial, technology and innovation partners from across Europe. 

 

The project aims to establish the continent’s first industrial-scale production of bio-based alcohols from ethanol, delivering chemicals that are molecularly identical to fossil-based alternatives and compatible with existing infrastructure, applications and value chains.

 

The partnership highlights the growing industrial demand for sustainable chemical solutions that can deliver performance without requiring major changes to existing manufacturing systems.

 

“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 toward industrial-scale production and bring to market bio-based chemicals that the industry can adopt using existing applications and supply chains. 

 

"In the current geopolitical and industrial context, strengthening Europe’s security of supply and strategic autonomy in critical chemical value chains has become increasingly important, and we believe Catalyxx can play a meaningful role in that transition.”

 

Catalyxx’s proprietary technology converts ethanol into butanol, hexanol and a blend of higher alcohols — critical chemical intermediates used across industries including coatings, resins, adhesives, lubricants, surfactants, home and personal care, flavors and fragrances, and sustainable fuels.