The center
The Cepsa Research Center in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) is one of the main drivers of change that we are using to move forward with our new "Positive Motion" strategy. Thanks to research, development and innovation (R&D&i) projects, the center is helping Cepsa become one of the key companies in the energy transition and a leader in sustainable mobility, biofuels and green hydrogen in Spain and Portugal.
It covers more than 12,000 m2 and has five main areas: Energy Transition, Science, Advanced Analytics, Operational Excellence and Services. Every day, more than 100 professionals research how innovative solutions can be applied to decarbonize the energy sector, with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. The center has laboratories, state-of-the-art equipment and pilot plants capable of recreating the processes we carry out in our Energy Parks. This makes it possible to create more efficient and environmentally friendly production processes, develop second generation biofuels and promote projects that have a positive impact on society.
All this with the aim of driving sustainability to combat climate change and global warming, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established in the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the European Green Deal.
Rafael Larraz
Research and Development director
Throughout his extensive professional career, he has always been involved in large-scale research, development and innovation (R&D&i) projects. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of La Laguna in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, an MBA from IESE Business School and a master's degree in environmental engineering from the University of Las Palmas.
Joana Frontela
director of the Research Center
She holds a bachelor's degree in industrial chemistry from the Complutense University of Madrid and has more than 30 years of experience in research and development projects. At the center, she leads a large team of professionals working on multidisciplinary scientific projects aimed at promoting innovation and the circular economy in the energy sector.
Avelino Corma
Consultant
This prestigious researcher — 2014 Prince of Asturias Award winner and founder of the Institute of Chemical Technology, a joint research center of excellence led by the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) — contributes his extensive knowledge to help address the challenges of the energy industry.
Rosario Rodríguez, Energy Transition
This area researches the development of new production models based on the circular economy and sustainability to produce second generation biofuels, asphalts and chemical products from waste such as plastics, used oils or animal fats for non-food uses, among many others, which can be converted into high-value resources. It also develops projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, in line with Cepsa's Carbon Cycle Board.
Mariam Romero, Fundamental Chemistry
Mariam leads the Fundamental area on which R&D projects are based. It is a cross-cutting department because it is responsible for generating the academic knowledge needed by other areas when dealing with any project related to kinetics, mechanisms, catalysis, digital, etc.
Begoña Lamothe, Advanced Analysis
This team provides analytical services to the rest of the center's departments. It is also researching new tests that will enable Cepsa to learn about the characteristics of conventional and new products (biofuels, circular products, etc.).
Carlos Prieto, Operational Excellence
This area carries out research and pilot tests aimed at continuously improving the processes implemented at our Energy Parks in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva) and San Roque (Cádiz). Specifically, R&D projects aimed at improving the energy efficiency of Cepsa's processes, yields and product quality are addressed. In this way, solutions can be found that place the company at the forefront of the energy industry.
Ana Largo, Client Services
From this area, Ana provides logistical support to the rest of the departments in the management of contracting services. Since its inception, the Research Center has generated a high degree of experience and knowledge in very diverse areas.
This, together with the wide availability of our highly qualified teams and professionals, allows us to offer specialized R&D services to our external and internal clients.
Trinidad Espinosa, Technical Services and Operations
In this department, we establish processes to ensure that everything works correctly at the operational level and in terms of hygiene and safety 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This area is responsible for the environmental (ISO 14001), health and safety (ISO 45001) and energy (ISO 50001) management systems implemented at the center.
Projects
The center simultaneously addresses more than 30 R&D projects in the aforementioned areas.
The material resources and the team of professionals dedicated to R&D make it possible to tackle challenging research projects that support Cepsa's Strategy.
These are some of the ongoing projects aligned with "Positive Motion":
Sustainable aviation fuel
Development of SAF from biomass waste using an innovative and disruptive process. We are currently in the research phase and the results will allow us to reach a technology readiness level (TRL=8) that is close to a demonstration test.
Conversion of CO2 into valuable products
In line with Cepsa's decarbonization strategy, this project seeks to convert CO2 into valuable products for the company through photocatalysis. The research, innovation and development (R&D&i) project, which is addressed in strategic lines in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, represents a great research challenge and its results could represent a valuable discovery.
Circularity in products
At the R&D level, demonstrate the feasibility of introducing recycled products obtained from waste such as plastics, tires, sludge, etc., into Cepsa's two Energy Parks to be used as raw materials for processes based on the circular economy.
Online methodology for the optimization of Energy Park process units
Development of applications based on advanced analytical techniques to obtain real-time results regarding product characteristics to optimize processing units. This is an operational excellence project that is aligned with our activity optimization strategy.
Studies to produce biojet and biobunker fuel
This project called "Refolution", from the HORIZON-CL5-2022-D3-0 call, has been rated as "Excellent" by the European Union (EU) and is being developed in a consortium with 8 European countries.
Sustainable asphalt specialties
Implementation and development of products incorporating solids from our Energy Parks that are difficult to manage in environmental terms, as well as waste from biomass (lignocellulosic and others). This line of research is funded by the Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA), in collaboration with the Construction Engineering Laboratory (LABIC) of the University of Granada.
