The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted Seville-based Catalyxx pre-approval for €37 million in funding to support the construction of its first full-scale industrial plant in France for the production of biobutanol and other alcohols.
In total, the company has raised over €18 million in the past year with the support of funds such as Axon Desarrollo Andalucía (backed by the EIB and the Regional Government of Andalusia), Aether Chemical Investments, and the European Commission’s EIC Accelerator programme.
“This decision by the EIB is a key milestone for Catalyxx and validates our vision of transforming the chemical industry through sustainability and efficiency. This project not only demonstrates the potential of our technology, but also represents a clear commitment to the industrial future of Europe,” said Joaquín Alarcón de la Lastra, CEO of Catalyxx. “We are excited about the opportunity to advance this collaboration with the EIB and about the role we can play in the continent’s energy and ecological transition.”
Founded in 2017 by Joaquín Alarcón de la Lastra Romero, a former Abengoa executive with more than two decades of international experience in bioenergy, Catalyxx also develops its R&D activities and operates its Demo Plant in La Rinconada (Seville), focused on the production of sustainable chemicals and the research of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
The French plant will use Catalyxx’s proprietary, patented technology based on an innovative catalytic process that transforms bioethanol into biobutanol and other renewable bioalcohols, without relying on fossil fuels.
This solution is reportedly sustainable, with a negative carbon footprint, and profitable, as it is cost-competitive – and even cheaper in some markets – compared to fossil-based butanol, enabling both emissions and costs to be reduced in industrial processes using these chemicals.
Catalyxx believes that EIB’s support underscores the essential role of innovative green technologies in Europe’s decarbonisation goals and recognises Catalyxx’s potential to become a benchmark in the circular, low-carbon chemical industry.
To boost all of its activities, the company recently closed a € 3 million funding round led by Axon Partners Group, as reported by EU-Startups.
Catalyxx’s strategy is based on transforming bioethanol – derived from sugar fermentation – into renewable chemicals such as biobutanol, biohexanol, biooctanol, and biodecanol, which can be used in acrylic paints, resins, adhesives, or personal care and cosmetic products.
The upcoming plant in France is being developed with a local partner, optimising its location to reduce logistical costs. Due diligence is expected to be conducted in September in Seville. Once successfully completed, the financing commitment will be formally approved to move forward with the project.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/07/spanish-scale-up-catalyxx-secures-pre-approval-for-e37-million-for-biobutanol-plant-in-france/
