Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology offer
- POD Reference
- TOES20250513015
- Term of Validity
- 13 May 2025 - 13 May 2026
- Company's Country
- Spain
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A Spanish SME in the environmental sector has developed and patented a technology that transforms used vegetable oil into an essential product, soap, in an automatic, easy, safe, and cost-effective manner. This innovation is available through two products: a small appliance designed for households, and an industrial-grade equipment for businesses, communities, hospitals, and other institutions. The company is looking for partners to form consortia to continue developing their technology.
- Full Description
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A Spanish company has focused on designing, developing, and manufacturing technologies that promote on-site waste recovery and the reduction of plastic packaging usage, with an initial focus on the valorisation of used vegetable oil. Since 2018, the company has undertaken an intensive research and development process (which is still ongoing) in collaboration with renowned partners such as the Public University of Navarra and the LEITAT technology centre in Spain. This effort led to the development of a patented technology that enables the on-site conversion of used vegetable oil into natural soap.
At a commercial level, the company has two product lines, each targeting entirely different customer segments. The first product based on this technology is a small household appliance. Launched in 2023, this appliance utilizes a system of biodegradable capsules to facilitate the saponification process at home. Furthermore, reinforcing the company’s strong foundation in innovation and development, in 2024, the technology was scaled up with the creation of a fully functional prototype of a new industrial-grade equipment, designed for the HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafes) sector as well as public entities such as municipalities, regional communities, and hospitals. They both transform used vegetable oil into multipurpose soap, one on a small scale, and the other on a large scale, handling substantial volumes efficiently.
For their small household appliance, they operate in the B2C segment, with their primary target customers being households. In short, any home that generates used vegetable oil as waste and consumes soap or detergent could be a potential customer. However, their ideal target customers are environmentally conscious households (those highly aware of recycling and waste recovery) who also prefer ecological, natural, and chemical-free products.
Regarding commercialization and sales, they conducted a pre-sale phase in the second half of 2023 to test the product, as well as their quality control, logistics, and after-sales systems. Deliveries took place in the first quarter of 2024. As of September 2024, they have been actively commercializing their small household appliance.
For their industrial equipment, they operate in the B2B segment. Their customers include:
- Public sector: Waste management authorities, municipalities, public entities, healthcare facilities, and public educational institutions that have high vegetable oil consumption and consequently generate significant amounts of used vegetable oil as waste. At the same time, these institutions require large quantities of detergents for cleaning their facilities and textiles.
- Private sector: Specifically targeting the HORECA industry and collective establishments. Entities with high vegetable oil consumption and, therefore, high waste generation (restaurants, hotels, campsites, private healthcare and educational centres, nursing homes, and student residences) could greatly benefit from a sustainable solution for this highly polluting waste. Moreover, they could achieve significant cost savings on detergents and cleaning products.
The company is actively seeking partners willing to contribute to scaling their operations through research and development cooperation agreements. Financing will enable to accelerate product development, enhance production capabilities, and successfully enter new markets, strengthening their position as a leader in sustainable waste valorisation technologies. - Advantages and Innovations
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The company offers a new and innovative product, featuring disruptive technology that currently does not exist and has the potential to reshape the market for recycling and valorisation of used vegetable oil, both in domestic, public, and business environments.
The key differentiating factor lies in their innovative, unique, and patented technology, which transforms and valorises used vegetable oil into soap for various uses (laundry, multipurpose, shampoo, gels, etc.)—in an automatic, easy, and cost-effective manner. This can be achieved through a small household appliance and through an industrial equipment. Both solutions are safe and user-friendly.
Key innovations
• On-site transformation at the source (homes, businesses, and public institutions).
• Patented and proprietary technology that automates the soap-making process.
• Biodegradable capsule system that ensures a hassle-free experience for households.
• Industrial-scale efficiency, thanks to its industrial-grade equipment, which provides a cost-effective solution for businesses and public institutions, allowing them to convert large volumes of oil into multi-purpose soap for their own use.
Main advantages
• Significant cost savings by generating their own cleaning products from waste oil.
• Elimination of collection and disposal costs, reducing or eliminating the need for third-party oil collection services.
• Sustainability and environmental impact, preventing pollution of water sources, supporting the circular economy, and contributing to waste reduction goals.
• Market differentiation and ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) compliance. Companies using this technology can enhance their sustainability credentials, improving their corporate image and compliance with environmental regulations. - Stage of Development
- Already on the market
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- IPR status
- IPR applied but not yet granted
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
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The company is actively seeking strategic partners to develop European projects focused on sustainability, circular economy, environmental conservation and cutting-edge technologies related to these topics. Their objective is to develop innovative solutions that transform waste into valuable resources and aim to partner with organizations that share their commitment to driving impactful, scalable, and sustainable change.
What the company expects from potential research and innovation partners:
They are looking for universities, research institutions, and technology centres specializing in sustainability, waste management, and circular economy solutions, preferably withexperience in European-funded projects (Horizon Europe, LIFE, Interreg, etc.), interested in establishing a collaboration for the enhancement of these solutions, the validation of these products and its dissemination at international level.
What the company expects from potential implementation and industry partners:
To ensure the successful application and scalability of their solutions, they seek NGOs, municipalities, SMEs, and industry leaders who can facilitate the deployment and adoption of these technologies. They are interested in partners who can offer access to waste facilities, recycling infrastructures, or consumer engagement networks and who can provide support on pilot projects, field testing, and market feasibility studies for new solutions.
The company aims to secure funding to continue developing groundbreaking technologies, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable economy. By partnering with them, organizations will become part of a pioneering initiative that leverages disruptive innovation to redefine waste valorisation. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME <=10
- SME 11-49
- SME 50 - 249
- Big company
- R&D Institution
- University
- Other
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 010002009 - Water Pollution / Treatment
- 03010 - Household Goods & Appliances
- 03004011 - Care, Hygiene, Beauty
- 10003004 - Recycling, Recovery
- 03004009 - Soaps, detergents
- Market keywords
- 07004002 - Health and beauty aids
- 07004004 - Housewares
- 07004008 - Other consumer products
- 08004003 - Water treatment equipment and waste disposal systems
- 08004004 - Other pollution and recycling related
- Targeted countries
- All countries