- Cepsa's project is recognized by the Ministry of Sustainable Development in the Circular Economy category.
- The Puente Mayorga Detal plant reduces emissions, natural gas, electricity, and raw material consumption, as well as waste generation
Jorge Velasco, director of the Puente Mayorga Chemical Plant, received this award yesterday in Cazorla, Jaén, at a ceremony presided over by the regional minister for this area, Carmen Crespo, and attended by various Andalusian authorities and companies. Cepsa's project was recognized in the Circular Economy category, aimed at rewarding those Andalusian projects, actions, or initiatives that promote the transition towards a circular economy by reducing and recovering waste, reusing products, and recycling.
The awarded technology is an innovative idea conceived and developed by Cepsa, in collaboration with UOP (Universal Oil Products), which improves the industrial center’s energy efficiency while reducing its emissions and consumption of natural gas, electricity and raw materials. In addition, this is a circular economy project that greatly reduces generated waste. Likewise, this technology will lead to increased process safety and improved quality and variety of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), the base of most biodegradable detergents, which the company produces at this facility. The implementation of this technology in the Puente Mayorga Chemical Plant is an example of innovation and sustainability, as it is the first LAB production plant in the world to switch its hydrofluoric acid-based process to Detal technology.
Cepsa has invested €117 million into this technological innovation project that also aims at reducing its environmental footprint. In addition, the project created around 250 jobs in Campo de Gibraltar during the construction of this unit, with peaks of up to 600. It also entails increasing the plant’s production capacity to 250,000 tons (a 25% increase) , thereby helping Cepsa, from Andalusia, maintain its position as global leader, with a 15% market share. The project's excellence also earned it the 2019 Andalusia Industry Development Award from the College of Industrial Engineers of Western Andalusia, at its fifth edition of the ceremony, and the 2020 Environmental Award in the Process category from the Ministry of the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITERD).
The director of the Puente Mayorga Chemical Plant, Jorge Velasco, noted that this award "is recognition of Cepsa's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, innovation and efficiency. It strengthens us as a company to continue advancing in this line of development and in projects that work in the circular economy."
The Councilor for Sustainability of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Carmen Crespo, emphasized that "the environment does not belong to anyone, it is everyone’s responsibility and companies must be committed to improving the environment. We all play a necessary role. This boost for Andalusian companies is of vital importance to achieve this green revolution. Thanks to Cepsa for this magnificent circular economy project".
These awards have been organized since 1996 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development of the Regional Government of Andalusia to recognize individuals, companies, and institutions that have stood out over the past year in the conservation, protection, and dissemination of the environmental values of Andalusia in different disciplines.
Chemicals at Cepsa
Cepsa is the global leader in the production of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), the world's most widely used biodegradable surfactant in laundry detergents and the company is also the number one manufacturer of cumene, which is used to manufacture phenol and other essential products in our everyday lives. It operates in eight countries and sells its products to customers worldwide.
The raw materials produced by Cepsa facilitate the manufacture of multiple products, many of them to improve hygiene, such as hydroalcoholic gels, and protective equipment, such as safety goggles and transparent barriers. Cepsa's products are essential for the personal and home care, pharmaceutical, automotive, and construction sectors, among many others. In the past year, despite the difficult circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the company operated at full capacity to meet the demand for many of these essential products.
Cepsa's Chemicals business achieved a record result with an increase in EBITDA of 45% over the previous year.
