Nefertiti

What Nefertiti does

NEFERTITI is an EU Horizon 2020-funded research consortium (Grant Agreement No. 101022202) coordinated by ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE (LEITAT), a Spanish non-profit technology centre headquartered in Terrassa, Barcelona. The project was launched in July 2021 with a planned duration of approximately five years and reached formal conclusion in June 2026. It does not operate as a commercial enterprise: revenue is derived exclusively from EU research grant funding, and outputs are disseminated via academic publications, conference presentations, training programmes, and the project MOOC rather than through product sales. The project is organised as a ten-partner international consortium spanning Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Turkey, China, and the United States, with LEITAT acting as project coordinator.

The consortium's core technical objective is the development of an innovative photocatalytic system that simultaneously converts CO2 and H2O into solar fuels (ethanol and longer-chain C2+ alcohols) using sunlight as the primary energy input. The architecture centres on a dual connected flow reactor: Reactor 1 employs heterogeneous photocatalysts — two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2-D COFs) functionalised with Au and RuO2 nanoparticles — arranged in a Z-scheme configuration to drive CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation into syngas; Reactor 2 applies Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis catalysts with TiO2 to transform syngas into ethanol and C2+ alcohols. The system is augmented by luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) deposited on the external glass surfaces of the reactors to enhance photon absorption, and by a membrane separation unit for ethanol purification via pervaporation. The technology was developed to Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL 4) by project end, with reported advances in C2+ alcohol selectivity, low-temperature operation, and integrated light management.

NEFERTITI's go-to-market motion is event- and dissemination-driven rather than sales-driven. Marketing channels comprise international scientific conferences (CHEMSPEC Europe, EuChemS, ISPPCC, ICCC, FlowPhotoChem workshops, CCUS workshops, SUSCHEM), webinars, training programmes including a MOOC ('Towards Solar Fuels' with 13 chapters on YouTube and Udemy), peer-reviewed publications (13+ articles in journals such as ACS Publications, Energy & Fuels, Chemical Science, and Science China Chemistry), and cluster collaboration with related EU projects (LAURELIN, PhotoSINT, Photo2Fuel, BIOCON-CO2, METHASOL, Flex SNG, Oracle, 4 Air Craft, FlowPhotoChem). The primary 'segments' served — energy and transportation industry, research institutions and academia, and industrial manufacturing (via SOCAR for whole-system validation) — are use-case contexts rather than paying customer segments. No commercial pricing model exists; no patents or trademarks have been disclosed in the input data.

Name

Nefertiti

Legal name

ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE

Website

https://projectnefertiti.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NEFERTITI is an EU Horizon 2020-funded research consortium (Grant Agreement No. 101022202) coordinated by LEITAT that developed a dual-flow photocatalytic reactor system for sunlight-driven conversion of CO2 and H2O into ethanol and C2+ alcohols, reaching TRL 4 by its June 2026 conclusion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Carbon Capture and Utilization Research

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Onsite Low-Carbon Heat & CHP (Electrified CHP, Fuel Cells, Renewable CHP) (EUABAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Emissions Control Catalysts (DeNOx/DeSOx/DOC/CO Oxidation) (IMAEAIAC)

Keywords

• Photocatalytic CO2 conversion
• Solar fuel production
• Carbon capture research
• Flow reactor engineering
• Artificial photosynthesis

Headquarters

HQ city

Terrassa (Barcelona)

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. EU Research Funding: NEFERTITI received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101022202. As a research project, revenue is derived from EU research grants rather than commercial operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NEFERTITI develops and validates an innovative dual-flow photocatalytic reactor system that simultaneously converts CO2 and H2O into solar fuels (ethanol and C2+ alcohols) using sunlight. The system integrates heterogeneous photocatalysts based on 2-D covalent organic frameworks with Au and RuO2 nanoparticles, luminescent solar concentrators, Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis catalysts, and membrane separation units. All outputs are research deliverables and proof-of-concept technologies rather than commercial products.

Product overview

Nefertiti is an EU Horizon 2020-funded research project developing an innovative high-efficiency photocatalytic system for solar fuel production. The core offering consists of a dual-flow photocatalytic reactor system that enables simultaneous conversion of CO2 and H2O into solar fuels (ethanol and C2+ alcohols). The system integrates heterogeneous photocatalysts (2-D COFs with Au & RuO2 nanoparticles), luminescent solar concentrators, and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis catalysts across two connected flow reactors. Supporting products include novel membrane separation units for ethanol purification via pervaporation, specialized flow reactors and light sources for photochemical reactions, and molecular solar concentrators with enhanced optical properties. The project also offers educational resources through its MOOC course on solar fuels. All technologies are at Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL4) as of project completion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dual-Flow Photocatalytic Reactor System An innovative high-efficiency photocatalytic system consisting of two connected functionalized flow reactors for simultaneous conversion of CO2 and H2O into solar fuels. Flow Reactor 1 uses enhanced heterogeneous photocatalysts (2-D COFs with Au and RuO2 nanoparticles) for Z-scheme photocatalysis to produce syngas; Flow Reactor 2 transforms syngas into ethanol and C2+ alcohols using Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis catalysts and TiO2. Targeted at industrial energy and transportation stakeholders.
• Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSC) Light-gathering components deposited at the external part of glass flow reactors to increase photon absorption by the photocatalyst, achieving more efficient solar energy conversion for the CO2-to-fuel process.
• Novel Integrated Flow Reactors (LEITAT) Breakthrough flow reactors developed by LEITAT enabling sunlight-catalysed reactions at substantially lower temperatures compared to conventional thermal processes, demonstrating enhanced selectivity towards valuable C2+ alcohols.
• Membrane Separation Unit for Ethanol Purification Pervaporation membrane separation unit developed by LEITAT for ethanol purification, offering improved separation performance beyond conventional vapor-liquid equilibrium limitations.
• Photocatalytic Flow Reactor (PCFR2) Advanced photocatalytic flow reactor for alcohol generation developed by Peking University, integrating advanced catalyst design methodologies with efficient reactor engineering for CO2 conversion.
• Flow Reactor and Light Source System New flow reactor and light source developed by Chemtrix BV specifically designed for photochemical flow reactions, featuring efficient light coupling through innovative reactor design and luminescent solar concentrator integration.
• Molecular Solar Concentrators New molecular solar concentrators with enhanced light absorption and emission properties developed by ICIQ for more efficient solar-driven chemical processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 conversion of 98% and methanol selectivity of 86% achieved through photothermal reactor design (from related research)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and supporting.

• LAURELINminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2025EU Horizon Europe project on selective CO2 conversion to renewable methanol. Collaboration on joint dissemination, co-branded webinars, and EU event participation.
• PhotoSINTminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2025EU project advancing artificial photosynthesis technologies for producing hydrogen and methanol. Cooperation on joint dissemination and co-hosted webinars.
• Photo2FuelminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 March 2025EU project utilizing microbial systems and sunlight to convert CO2 into methane and acetic acid. Collaboration on joint dissemination and EU-wide event attendance.
• LEITATcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021LEITAT (Acondicionamiento Tarrasense) serves as the project coordinator. LEITAT is responsible for testing and validation in flow photochemistry, membranes purification, coatings and luminescent solar concentrators deposition. Located in Terrassa, Barcelona.
• University of Galway (National University of Ireland Galway)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Contributes photocatalysts' synthesis for simultaneous CO2 reduction and H2O oxidation. Has published multiple scientific articles on porphyrin-based materials and metal-covalent organic frameworks.
• Peking University (PKU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Contributes photocatalysts' synthesis for CO reduction and C-C bond formation. Developed the Photocatalytic Flow Reactor (PCFR2) for alcohol generation.
• University of BurgoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021International Research Center in Critical Raw Materials for Advanced Industrial Technologies contributes catalysts' modelling and simulation, health and safety assessment. Developed MOOC content.
• Chemtrix BVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Dutch company responsible for design and engineering of flow reactors at lab scale. Developed new flow reactor and light source for photochemical flow reactions.
• SOCARcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Turkish industrial end-user and partner for whole system validation. Developed know-how in solar-powered carbon capture technologies and flue gas purification.
• Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Contributes synthesis and validation of Luminescent Solar Concentrators. Developed new molecular solar concentrators with enhanced light absorption and emission properties.
• FunditecsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Foundation for Development and Technological Innovation contributes photocatalysts' immobilization. Developed advanced know-how in catalyst immobilization and scale-up strategies.
• University of Michigan Energy InstitutesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Contributes process modeling expertise to the consortium.
• Stratagem Energy LtdsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2021Cyprus-based company contributes exploitation strategy, dissemination and communication, training and knowledge exchange. Developed business models for CO2 valorisation technologies.
• 4 Air CraftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU cluster project on air carbon recycling for aviation fuel technology.
• METHASOLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU cluster project on methanol as an energy vector for storable liquid fuel production.
• Flex SNGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU cluster project on flexible production of synthetic natural gas and biochar via gasification of biomass and waste feedstocks.
• FlowPhotoChemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU cluster project developing multifunctional photo(electro)catalytic materials integrated into scalable reactors.
• BIOCON-CO2minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon 2020 project on converting CO2 produced by industry into valuable commodities (€7 million funding).
• OracleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU cluster project on novel routes and catalysts for synthesis of ammonia as alternative renewable fuel.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Twelve (formerly Opus 12): Twelve uses CO2 as feedstock to produce chemicals and fuels via electrocatalysis, a competing decarbonization pathway. Both NEFERTITI and Twelve convert CO2 into high-value C2+ products, with Twelve pursuing commercial scale and NEFERTITI pursuing photocatalytic alternative.
• Carbon Engineering: Carbon Engineering captures CO2 directly from air and converts it to synthetic fuels, sharing the same CO2-to-fuel value proposition with NEFERTITI. Both pursue carbon-negative fuel production, though Carbon Engineering uses DAC + conventional synthesis while NEFERTITI uses photocatalysis.
• Infinium: Infinium produces e-fuels including e-methanol and e-jet fuel from CO2 and green hydrogen, sharing the carbon-to-fuels space with NEFERTITI. Both target ethanol/methanol as primary outputs from captured CO2, though Infinium uses electrocatalysis rather than photocatalysis.
• Econic Technologies: Econic Technologies uses catalysts to incorporate CO2 into polymers and polyurethane feedstocks, sharing the CO2 valorization space with NEFERTITI. Both apply heterogeneous catalysis to upgrade CO2 into value-added products, targeting different downstream markets but the same fundamental CO2-to-chemicals thesis.
• Prometheus Fuels: Prometheus converts atmospheric CO2 into gasoline and jet fuel using renewable electricity, competing for the same carbon-to-liquid-fuels opportunity. Both target high-value drop-in transportation fuels from CO2, with Prometheus pursuing commercial deployment.
• Sunfire: Sunfire develops industrial-scale CO2-to-fuels (e-fuels) via co-electrolysis and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, directly addressing the same end market as NEFERTITI's solar-to-ethanol pathway. Both target C2+ alcohol and synthetic fuel production from CO2, though Sunfire uses electricity-driven rather than photocatalytic routes.
• LanzaTech: LanzaTech converts captured CO and CO2 into ethanol and other chemicals using gas fermentation, competing for the same carbon-to-fuels market. Both companies target ethanol as a primary output from waste or emitted carbon, though LanzaTech is at commercial scale while NEFERTITI is at TRL 4.

Emerging players

• C2CNT: C2CNT converts CO2 into carbon nanotubes using molten electrolysis, another emerging CO2 valorization pathway. Both NEFERTITI and C2CNT apply novel catalytic processes to convert CO2 into useful materials, though C2CNT is more material-focused while NEFERTITI targets fuels.

Broad incumbents

• HIF Global: HIF Global produces e-fuels (e-methanol, e-gasoline, e-jet fuel) from green hydrogen and captured CO2 at industrial scale. They represent the larger commercial incumbent in the synthetic fuels space that NEFERTITI's photocatalytic approach would need to compete with on cost.
• Avantium: Avantium is a renewable chemicals company developing plant-based and CO2-based feedstocks into sustainable plastics and fuels. As an established European player, it represents a comparable commercial pathway for CO2 valorization that NEFERTITI's research could feed into.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLc88uGJ1RIFUODhS1zCZmgEqQGdgIRYgx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nefertitiproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nefertiti