SOLUTEX GC SL

Their core work

Solutex is a Spanish SME specializing in advanced lipid processing and omega-3 concentration technologies for food, nutrition, and specialty oleochemical applications. They develop proprietary extraction and purification methods to produce highly concentrated omega-3 products and specialty oils from plant-based and marine sources. Their work spans from raw oil crop processing (camelina, crambe) through to finished specialized nutrition products, and more recently extends into catalytic membrane reactor technologies for industrial process intensification.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Solutex began its H2020 journey firmly rooted in lipid chemistry and omega-3 nutrition, coordinating two successive LIFEOMEGA projects and contributing to COSMOS on plant-based oleochemicals (2015-2019). From 2019 onward, they expanded into catalytic membrane reactors and process intensification through the MACBETH project, signaling a strategic move from product-focused food/nutrition work toward enabling industrial separation technologies. This evolution suggests they are broadening from a niche omega-3 processor into a company with deeper capabilities in membrane-based purification and chemical process engineering.

Solutex is transitioning from a pure nutrition/oleochemicals SME toward membrane separation and catalytic processing technologies, positioning them for broader industrial applications beyond food.

How they like to work

Solutex operates as both a project leader and a contributing partner, splitting evenly between coordinator and participant roles. With 46 unique partners across 13 countries, they maintain a diverse European network rather than relying on a fixed set of collaborators. Their progression from a small SME-1 feasibility study to a full SME-2 scale-up and then into larger RIA/IA consortia shows a company that has grown its collaborative ambitions over time.

Solutex has built a broad European network of 46 unique partners across 13 countries, reflecting engagement in both SME-instrument projects (where they led) and larger multi-partner research and innovation consortia like COSMOS and MACBETH.

What sets them apart

Solutex sits at a rare intersection of food-grade lipid processing know-how and emerging membrane separation technology — few SMEs combine deep omega-3 product development experience with industrial catalytic membrane expertise. Their track record of successfully scaling from feasibility (SME-1) to full commercialization (SME-2) demonstrates they can move technology from lab to market. For consortium builders, they offer a partner who understands both the food/nutrition regulatory landscape and advanced chemical process engineering.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LIFEOMEGA
  Coordinated across two phases (SME-1 then SME-2 with EUR 1.7M), demonstrating successful progression from feasibility study to full-scale product commercialization.
• MACBETH
  Marks a strategic pivot into catalytic membrane reactors and process intensification, their most recent and longest-running project (2019-2025).
• COSMOS
  Early participation in a multi-partner project converting non-food oil crops into specialty oleochemicals, establishing their credentials in plant-based lipid processing.