RenewChem, led by Catalyxx, has been selected as a CBE JU flagship project to accelerate the industrial deployment of bio-based chemicals in Europe.
Catalyxx, a technology company that combines bio-feedstock and a chemical process to produce drop-in, cost-competitive, carbon-negative chemicals, has secured a €20 million grant in European Union funding 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 bio-based chemicals plant in Europe, marking a major milestone in the company’s transition from technology demonstration to commercial deployment.
With RenewChem, Catalyxx is leading a consortium of major chemical industry players Arkema and Evonik, bringing together world-class industrial, technology and innovation partners from across Europe. The consortium is developing the first European industrial production of bio-based alcohols from ethanol, with the aim 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 highlights 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 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, key chemical intermediates used across a broad range of the chemical value chain, including coatings, resins, adhesives, lubricants, surfactants, home and personal care, flavors and fragrances, and sustainable fuels. These products are designed to offer the same or enhanced performance and compatibility compared to conventional petrochemical alternatives, while reducing reliance on fossil feedstocks and improving the sustainability profile of chemical value chains.
The award comes at a critical time for Europe’s chemical industry, which faces the dual challenge of decarbonizing production while preserving industrial competitiveness, supply security and strategic autonomy. By enabling the production of renewable drop-in chemicals at industrial scale, Catalyxx aims to provide a practical pathway for the sector to reduce its carbon footprint without requiring changes in downstream processes.
“Our value proposition is simple: the same chemicals the industry already uses, produced from renewable carbon and with a significantly improved sustainability profile,” added Alarcón. “Identical Chemicals. Only Better.”
With this milestone, Catalyxx advances its mission to deliver Chemicals for the 21st Century: renewable, decarbonized, and compatible solutions for a more sustainable chemical industry.
About Catalyxx
Catalyxx transforms bioethanol into drop-in, cost-competitive, carbon-negative chemicals. We enable our customers to diversify their supply chain and reduce CO2 emissions without sacrificing profitability, existing infrastructure, or product performance. Our mission is to replace the use of fossil-based chemicals and lead the industry toward greater sustainability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
For more information about Catalyxx, please go to https://www.catalyxxinc.com/
About RenewChem
RenewChem is a European flagship project selected by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking to demonstrate the first industrial-scale production of bio-based 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 aim of accelerating the deployment of renewable drop-in chemicals and supporting the transition toward a more sustainable and independent European chemical industry.
