cesa and Bio-OilsA biofuel company from Apical has formed a ‘joint venture’. increase biofuel production through the construction of the second generation (2G) The largest facility in Southern EuropeIt was announced by Cepsa last March.
The complex, which will be located in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva) in the La Rábida Energy Park, 1 billion €One of the largest private investments in Andalusian history.
As the company stated in a press release, the new facility will provide most of the raw material supply from organic waste such as agricultural waste or used cooking oils, through a global long-term agreement with Apical, Bio-Oils. the parent company makes it possible to solve one of the main challenges facing the industry: access to raw materials.
circular economy
2G biofuels encourage circular economy, using waste for its production that would otherwise go to landfills. Thus, Cepsa will contribute to the decarbonization targets of its customers in the transportation sector, as well as its technical capacity and know-how in the development of large industrial projects and fuel oil production, as well as its knowledge of the European market. Apical and Bio-Oils will supply raw materials and contribute with their experience in biofuel production.
The presentation of the project was held this Friday at La Rábida Energy Park, attended by the president of the Andalucía Junta. Juanma Moreno; Maarten Wetselaar, CEO of Cepsa; Óscar García, CEO of Bio-Oils; and Dato’ Yeo How, chairman of Grupo Apical.
In her speech, Juanma Moreno emphasized that the Andalusian Government is “aware”. “Public-private collaboration is necessary to address this type of project,” he said. because “there is no other way to go that far”.
“And we create very positive dynamics thanks to the business confidence we provide, the political and economic stability we provide, and administrative rigor. Cepsa has been investing in Huelva and Andalusia for nearly 60 years and is an active part and protagonist of the transformation. and it makes a very important contribution to job creation. Big bets like Cepsa confirm that we are on the right track.”
Maarten Wetselaar stressed that this alliance is a “decisive step” in the strategy to pioneer biofuels in Spain and Portugal, and “positions Andalusia as a European cornerstone in sustainable energy and circular economy production”.
Óscar García, CEO of Bio-Oils, stated that Cepsa “has been Bio-Oils’ biggest customer for many years.”many operational advantagesthe proximity and interconnection of our facilities and the use of the Reina Sofia pier to load and unload our products” and this new joint venture is “a natural evolution of our relationship”.
Likewise, Apical’s president, Dato’ Yeo How, assured: “The wider use of SAF and renewable diesel delivers significant benefits on a global scale, both to mitigate the effects of climate change and to promote sustainable economic growth”.
“Apical’s wide-ranging supply of high-quality, second-generation raw materials is critical to ensuring the new joint venture meets our shared goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land, sea and air transport.”
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What is the new facility will create approximately 2,000 jobs (between direct and indirect), during construction and operation phase, it will have two pre-treatment units and will have flexible production capacity of 500,000 tons of SAF (sustainable fuel for aviation) and renewable diesel for land, sea and air use. . Commissioning is scheduled for the first half of 2026.
The facility will be built with cutting-edge technology created specifically for the production of such biofuels. Designed as a digital native plant, it cutting-edge technology and the latest developments for the industry In artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics to maximize process efficiency and guarantee the highest standards of safety and environmental protection.
Sustainable fuels developed at this new facility will prevent 1.5 million tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to 30% of emissions in the province of Huelva.
The use of biofuels can reach Reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% This is why, compared to conventional fuels, they are a key element to ensure a fair energy transition and promote transport decarbonisation, especially in sectors where electrification is complex, such as heavy road, sea and air transport.
Cepsa’s Chemicals business will also benefit from this project, thanks to access to raw materials from organic waste for the production of sustainable products.
Second-generation biofuels are an immediate solution that supports our customers’ energy transition, as they can be used in conventional engines while allowing for local development and increased energy autonomy in Europe.”
commitment to sustainability
The construction of this new factory responds to Cepsa’s goal of leading the sector. 2G biofuel production in Spain and Portugal. In 2030, the company will have an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons of biofuels, 800,000 tons from SAF, which will be enough sustainable aviation fuel to fly 2,000 times over the planet.
This alliance is in line with the European Commission’s set of 55 Compliant measures, which includes a legislative initiative called ‘RefuelEU Aviation’ aimed at increasing the supply and demand of aviation biofuels in the European Union. Use of 2% in 2025, 5% in 2030 and 63% in 2050. The agreement will serve to position Spain as a benchmark for SAF supply to airlines.
In addition, within the framework of its 2030 strategy Positive Motion, the company is promoting the development of an ecosystem focused on accelerating the decarbonization of itself and its customers through the production of green molecules, in particular renewable hydrogen and 2G biofuels. A criterion for energy transition.
In your strategic plan, Cepsa created a roadmap to reduce its emissionsis among the most ambitious in its sector. Specifically, it will reduce CO2 emissions by 55% (scopes one and two) and a carbon intensity index by 15-20% by 2030, with a target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Cepsa wants to go beyond net zero and make a positive impact by adding value to the communities it is in by allowing its customers and other stakeholders to move in the right direction.
The development and use of biofuels contributes to several of the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) .