Cepsa strengthens its chemical business with the construction in Huelva of the first production plant of isopropyl alcohol, or isopropanol, from renewable or circular materials, which will make it the most competitive, innovative, and environmentally friendly facility of its kind in the world.
Isopropanol is a product with disinfectant properties and with significant added value that is in high international demand and which, among many other uses, is the basis for hydroalcoholic gels. It is also used in the medical-pharmaceutical sector, and in cleaning products, electronics, cosmetics, paints or as a solvent.
The project, to be developed by Cepsa Química, will be the first facility of its kind to replace the fossil-based raw materials currently used in the production of isopropanol with sustainable materials. Cepsa Química thus expands its platform of Next products from renewable raw materials and green energies, such as NextLab and NextPhenol.
The new plant, which will require an investment of 75 million euros, will be operational in 2025 and will be located at Cepsa's chemical plant in Huelva. The new facility reinforces Cepsa's commitment to innovation, strengthens its leadership position in the chemical sector and consolidates its commitment to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
José Maria Solana, EVP of Chemicals at Cepsa said that, "with this project, our Company’s position as leader in the chemical sector is further strengthened, enhancing our portfolio with the addition of a new product of great value to the society and our strategy. This product can be offered to our customers made with sustainable raw materials and opens us doors to new applications”.
Integration into the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley
The integration of the new facility into the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley, which the La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva is part of, will allow the plant to be supplied with green hydrogen produced by Cepsa, taking advantage of the economic and financial synergies with the rest of the company’s commercial and logistical structures and enhancing the sustainability of the associated industrial processes.
100% of the energy to be used in the new isopropanol plant will come from renewable sources, which means that the production of this product will be CO2 neutral. In this way, the new facility will benefit from the projects promoted in the Positive Motion strategy carried out by Cepsa in Andalusia.
The plant for the project will be designed with minimal environmental impact, so its construction and commissioning are fully aligned with Cepsa's sustainability objectives, especially in terms of circularity and reduction in water collection.
Source: https://www.cepsa.com/en