Calpech
Calpech is a Spanish deep-tech spin-off that sells iron-nanoparticle liquid additives (Ce-in line) to biogas plant operators to boost methane yield and remove hydrogen sulfide, producing its nanoparticles from olive oil waste at an industrial facility in Extremadura.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSan Vicente Del Raspeig, Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Calpech does
Calpech, S.L. is a Spanish nanotechnology company and University of Alicante spin-off founded in February 2021 that develops and commercializes iron nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon produced from agricultural waste — specifically alpechín, a polyphenol-rich byproduct of olive oil production. The proprietary hydrothermal carbonization process is patented and forms the basis of the Ce-in product line (Ce-in Biogas, Ce-in Desulf, and Ce-in Max), liquid additives applied directly into anaerobic digesters to boost methane yield by up to 40%, remove over 95% of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and stabilize digester performance. Production occurs at industrial (tonne) scale through a partnership with the Troil Vegas Altas agricultural cooperative in Extremadura, where Calpech operates an industrial reactor on the cooperative's site.
The company's revenue model combines direct product sales to biogas and biomethane plant operators with bundled laboratory and consulting services, including Biomethanisation Potential Measurement (BMP), digester diet optimization, and waste/digestate/biogas characterization using over 50 analytical techniques. The go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, with quote requests routed through the website and direct outreach to plant managers. Calpech reports more than 10 biogas plants actively using its Ce-in additives. Adjacent R&D programs position the nanoparticle platform for environmental remediation, water treatment (INNOCUA), and industrial composting (COMPOST+), diversifying the addressable application surface beyond biogas.
The company is funded primarily through European, national, and regional grants (CDTI Neotec, EU Horizon 2020, IVACE+ Strategic Cooperation, EMPYME 2025, Torres Quevedo) and a December 2024 €600,000 seed investment from BeAble Capital, a Deep Science-focused Spanish venture capital firm. Headcount is reported at 1-10 employees. The technology is backed by approximately 30 years of academic research, and the founding patent 'Nanopartículas para descontaminación ambiental a partir de residuos agrícolas' (Blanca Calderón and Andrés Fullana) received the OEPM national award for Best Young Inventor Patent. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the company remains privately held with operations confined to Spain (registered entity Calpech, S.L., CIF B42892919) and broader European project participation.
Calpech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Calpech
- Legal name
- Calpech, S.L.
- Website
- https://calpech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Calpech is a Spanish deep-tech spin-off that sells iron-nanoparticle liquid additives (Ce-in line) to biogas plant operators to boost methane yield and remove hydrogen sulfide, producing its nanoparticles from olive oil waste at an industrial facility in Extremadura.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Calpech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biogas Additives and Nanotechnology Chemicals
- NAICS
- Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Anaerobic Digestion (Wet/Dry AD) & Biogas Production (EUAIAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Gas Treating Chemicals & Consumables (Amines, Glycols, Adsorbents, Catalysts) (EUAAABAG), Biofuel Co-products & Byproduct Processing (DDGS, Glycerin, CO2, Lignin) (EUAAAHAJ), Biofuels & Renewable Fuels Switching (Biomethane/RNG, Bio-oils, Sustainable Biomass) (EUABAJAD)
Keywords
Where Calpech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Vicente Del Raspeig
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Calpech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Biogas additive products (Ce-in product line): Calpech sells liquid additives (Ce-in Biogas, Ce-in Desulf, Ce-in Max) to biogas plant operators. Products are sold in industrial quantities (tonnes) for use in anaerobic digesters. Revenue is generated through product sales with technical support services bundled.
- Laboratory and technical services: Calpech offers laboratory services including Biomethanisation Potential Measurement (BMP), digester diet control and optimization, and waste/digestate/biogas characterization (with over 50 analytical techniques). These consulting and testing services are provided alongside product sales.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Calpech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Calpech manufactures and sells liquid biogas additives under the Ce-in product line (Ce-in Biogas, Ce-in Desulf, and Ce-in Max) based on iron nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon derived from olive oil industry waste (alpechín). These additives are applied directly in anaerobic digesters to increase methane production and remove hydrogen sulfide. The company complements its product offering with laboratory and consulting services, including Biomethanisation Potential Measurement (BMP), digester diet optimization, and waste/digestate/biogas characterization.
Product overview
Calpech is a nanotechnology company offering a portfolio of iron nanoparticle-based products and analytical services for the biogas and environmental sector. Its core product line consists of three liquid additives under the Ce-in brand — Ce-in Biogas, Ce-in Desulf, and Ce-in Max — all leveraging iron nanotechnology to enhance anaerobic digestion. These are complemented by laboratory and consulting services including Biomethanisation Potential Measurement, Digester Diet Control, and Waste/Digestate/Biogas Characterisation. The company also produces and sells iron nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon, derived from olive oil industry waste, primarily serving biogas plant operators and environmental remediation applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ce-in: Product line of liquid additives for biogas plants including Ce-in Biogas (boosts biogas production up to 40%), Ce-in Desulf (removes over 95% of H2S), and Ce-in Max (comprehensive 6-in-1 additive).
- Ce-in Max
- Ce-in Biogas
- Ce-in Desulf
Products and services
- Ce-in Biogas Liquid biogas additive formulated with iron nanotechnology that enhances biogas and biomethane production in anaerobic digestion systems, increasing methane levels by up to 40%. Sold to biogas plant operators in industrial quantities.
- Ce-in Desulf Specialized liquid additive for direct removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in anaerobic digesters, capturing and neutralizing over 95% of H2S, protecting microbial populations and preventing equipment corrosion without chlorine.
- Ce-in Max Comprehensive 6-in-1 liquid additive combining biogas production boosting, H2S removal, digester stabilization, macro/micronutrient supply, and digestate quality improvement in a single nanotechnology-based solution.
- Biomethanisation Potential Measurement (BMP)
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 40% increase in CH4/methane volume in anaerobic digesters using Ce-in Biogas additive
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Calpech
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Calpech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Calpech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Polytechnic University of ValenciacoreProject partner in the COMPOST+ research project (funded by IVACE+ Strategic Cooperation Projects, €920,765 total grant for 2025-27) focused on biotechnological and chemical tools for industrial composting of urban organic waste.
- Miguel Hernández University in ElchecoreProject partner in COMPOST+ research project developing tools for industrial composting efficiency and sustainability.
- AIMPLAScoreTechnology centre partner in COMPOST+ and INNOCUA projects. AIMPLAS contributes expertise in polymers and materials science to the consortium.
- Troil Vegas Altas Agricultural CooperativecorePartner since 2021; Calpech designed, assembled and fine-tuned an industrial reactor that transforms Troil Vegas Altas's alpechín (olive oil waste) into iron nanoparticles. Joint product launch of biogas additive. Industrial production plant located at the cooperative's facilities in Extremadura.
- Valencian Agricultural Cooperative of Bajo Turia (COBALTUR)minorProject partner in COMPOST+ focused on improving agronomic quality of compost from solid urban waste.
- AGROTAN NATURAminorProject partner in COMPOST+ focused on circular economy and agricultural waste valorization.
- LabaquacorePartner in INNOCUA project (€840,301 budget funded by EU ERDF through IVACE) developing advanced purification technologies for wastewater reuse.
- Aguas de PaternacorePartner in INNOCUA project developing advanced purification technologies to guarantee health and environmental safety in wastewater reuse.
- University of ValenciacoreAcademic partner in INNOCUA project for wastewater purification technology development.
- University of Valladolid - Institute of Sustainable ProcessescoreCalpech supplies iron nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon to the Institute for use as an additive in photosynthetic biogas upgrading processes. Research has demonstrated increased algal biomass and improved biogas methane content.
- Aguas de MurciaminorCollaborated in 2023 on LIFE Nirvana research project for aquifer regeneration. Calpech's iron nanoparticles were used for nitrate removal in an aquifer to improve water quality toward drinking water standards.
- University of AlicantecoreCalpech is a spin-off from the University of Alicante. The company was founded in February 2021 based on technology developed at the university, including the nanoparticle patent. The university's 'Ingeniería para la Economía Circular' research group continues collaborative R&D with Calpech.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Calpech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Perstorp: Perstorp (part of PETRONAS Chemicals Group) sells specialty additives and chemistries for biogas upgrading and anaerobic digestion optimization. Comparable to Calpech as a chemistry supplier addressing the same AD/biogas plant pain points of yield improvement and impurity control.
- Schaumann BioEnergy: Schaumann BioEnergy is a specialist supplier of additives, microbial cultures, and process consulting for biogas plants. Direct overlap with Calpech's Ce-in product line in helping operators boost methane yield and stabilize digesters.
- Novonesis (Novozymes): Novonesis supplies enzymes and microbial solutions for biogas production and anaerobic digestion optimization. Comparable to Calpech as a biological/chemical additive provider competing for the same digester yield-improvement wallet at AD plant operators.
- Greenlane Renewables: Greenlane Renewables supplies biogas upgrading systems (water scrubbing, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption) for RNG production. Comparable to Calpech as a downstream supplier to the same AD/biomethane plant customers, although at the equipment rather than additive layer.
Broad incumbents
- Kemira: Kemira is a large specialty chemicals player serving water-intensive industries including biogas and sludge treatment. Comparable to Calpech as a broader incumbent with iron-based coagulants and process chemicals for the anaerobic digestion market, though operating at much larger scale.
- Evonik Industries: Evonik is a global specialty chemicals incumbent with a portfolio that includes biogas additives, feed amino acids, and process chemicals. Overlaps with Calpech as a broad chemistry supplier to the biogas/AD industry, though Evonik's offering is one of many verticals.
- BASF: BASF is the world's largest chemical company with agricultural solutions, enzymes, and process additives that touch the biogas value chain. Comparable to Calpech as a broad incumbent with deep R&D and global reach, though not specializing in iron-nanoparticle biogas additives.
- Veolia: Veolia is a global environmental services and water-treatment major that operates anaerobic digestion facilities and supplies related chemicals and services. Comparable to Calpech in the environmental remediation and AD application space, though at vastly larger scale and with integrated services.
- Suez: Suez operates wastewater treatment and biogas recovery plants across Europe and supplies related chemistry and process technology. Comparable to Calpech as a major player in the wastewater/biogas intersection where nanoparticle-based treatments are also relevant.
Emerging players
- Hielscher Ultrasonics: Hielscher provides ultrasonic and process technology for biogas, sludge, and nanoparticle applications. Comparable to Calpech as an emerging enabler for AD process intensification, though addressing a different mechanism (ultrasonic disruption rather than iron nanoparticles).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Calpech social profiles
Digital presenceCalpech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Calpech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Calpech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Calpech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Calpech
What does Calpech do?
Calpech manufactures and sells liquid biogas additives under the Ce-in product line (Ce-in Biogas, Ce-in Desulf, and Ce-in Max) based on iron nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon derived from olive oil industry waste (alpechín). These additives are applied directly in anaerobic digesters to increase methane production and remove hydrogen sulfide. The company complements its product offering with laboratory and consulting services, including Biomethanisation Potential Measurement (BMP), digester diet optimization, and waste/digestate/biogas characterization.
Is Calpech a public or private company?
Calpech is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Calpech founded?
Calpech was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Calpech based?
Calpech is headquartered in San Vicente Del Raspeig, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Calpech make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Biogas additive products (Ce-in product line) is the primary driver. The others are laboratory and technical services.
Who are Calpech's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Perstorp, Schaumann BioEnergy, Novonesis (Novozymes) and Greenlane Renewables. Broad incumbents are Kemira, Evonik Industries, BASF, Veolia and Suez. Hielscher Ultrasonics is listed as an emerging player.
Does Calpech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Calpech.
What industry is Calpech in?
Calpech's product category is Biogas Additives and Nanotechnology Chemicals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIAEAD, Anaerobic Digestion (Wet/Dry AD) & Biogas Production, with a secondary code of EUAAABAG, Gas Treating Chemicals & Consumables (Amines, Glycols, Adsorbents, Catalysts). Its NAICS code is 32511 and its SIC code is 2860.