Catalyxx lands €20M EU grant to build bio-based chemicals plant
What's the deal? Spanish technology company Catalyxx has secured a €20 million grant from the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → to build its first commercial plant for bio-based chemicals in Europe. The company develops chemical processes that turn ethanol into compounds molecularly identical to fossil-based products.
Who's backing it? The grant comes through RenewChem, a project run by CBE JU, an initiative created by the European UnionDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) to fund circular bio-based industries. Catalyxx leads the RenewChem consortium, which includes chemical firms ArkemaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and EvonikDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What's the endgame? The funds will build Catalyxx's first commercial plant producing bio-based alcohols from ethanol, including bioethanol. The goal is to offer chemicals that match their fossil-based equivalents while working with existing infrastructure, applications, and supply chains.
Why now? The company frames the timing around European demand for sustainable chemical solutions that cut dependence on fossil fuels such as oil. Founder and chief executive officer Joaquín Alarcón, a former AbengoaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → employee, argues that strengthening Europe's supply security in critical chemical value chains is increasingly important in the current geopolitical context.
In their words: "This is a decisive milestone for Catalyxx," Alarcón said, adding that the backing validates "both the strength of our technology and the relevance of our industrial strategy." He describes the value proposition simply: identical chemicals, made from renewable carbon, "but better."
The signal: At €20 million, the grant ranks near the top of comparable funding in engineering and manufacturing equipment — above roughly 96% of similar rounds. It reflects Europe's push to bring bio-based alternatives to fossil chemicals to industrial scale while reducing reliance on imported feedstocks.
Read more: Expansión
Image credit: Nick Bramhall
