Upgrading and optimization to continue to lead the way in LAB manufacturing

Our Chemicals division, with a worldwide presence, is a leader in the manufacture of raw materials such as linear alkylbenzene (LAB). In order to maintain and strengthen this leadership, we launched a project to expand and improve one of our most emblematic plants in Puente Mayorga (Cádiz).

This plant was built more than five decades ago and since then, innovation and commitment to the environment have always been present. This project makes it unique worldwide in technology and sustainability in the field of surfactants.

How did we do it?

With an investment of 100 million euros, we upgraded the chemical plant in Cádiz, expanding its capacity and introducing important technological improvements that make it the first facility in Europe and the second in the world to use the latest generation of Detal catalysts (our plant in Canada was the first to use this innovation). Among the most outstanding improvements of this project are:

Substitution of hydrofluoric acid-based technology with the more efficient, sustainable and safer Detal technology
Incorporation of a new generation of more efficient and versatile catalysts capable of producing different grades of LAB in the same plant, depending on each customer's demand
Increase in production capacity of the plant
Creation of new loading and unloading facilities, control room and employee spaces under the new "Hadi" work model.

The result

Thanks to this renovation project, we were able to improve the quality of the final product, reduce emissions and waste generation, optimize the consumption of raw materials, electricity and water, reduce fixed and associated costs and improve safety.

The result is a safer, more sustainable and efficient process.

"As world leaders in LAB production, we are pioneers in adapting our plant from hydrofluoric acid-based technology to Detal technology.".

Itsaso Aranzabal

Optimization and Control, Puente Mayorga chemical plant

Discover how we put the circular economy into practice: Project Detal

The Detal project from our Puente Mayorga Chemical Plant in Cádiz has been selected by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge as the winning project in the “Process” category of the European Business Awards for the Environment - Spain Section. This category recognizes innovation in Processes and Production Methods that contribute to sustainable development. The project has also received the Andalucía de Medio Ambiente 20201 award, the Andalucía al Desarrollo de la Industria 2019 award from the Colegio de Ingenieros Industriales de Andalucía Occidental, the ICIS Surfactant Awards and recognition from the Confederación de Empresarios de Cádiz in the "CEC MEDIOAMBIENTE" awards.

It is the first Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB) plant in the world to replace hydrofluoric acid (HF) technology with Detal technology, a safer, more efficient and sustainable process which optimizes the efficient use of raw materials and electricity, reduces water consumption by 80,000 m³ a year, decreases waste by over 1,100 tons annually and also cuts down emissions.

Likewise, the Detal technology, developed by Cepsa in collaboration with UOP(Universal Oil Products), will improve the quality and variety of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), the raw material for biodegradable detergent production, which is manufactured at this plant.

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Cepsa launches the first European chemical plant to use Detal technology.