Repsol has acquired -through its corporate venture capital vehicle, Repsol Corporate Venturing - a 21.43% stake in DARWIN Bioprospecting Excellence, a start-up from the Universitat de València and located in the Parc Cientific of this university, focusing on bio-prospecting and the cultivation of micro-organisms to create revolutionary solutions for industry as well as environmental bio-solutions.
Repsol’s entry into the capital of DARWIN reflects the multi-energy approach to biotechnology as another way to provide solutions to the challenges facing industry in the energy transition. Repsol has a team of biotechnology experts since 2012, working on the development and implementation of fermentation and anaerobic digestion processes from organic waste for the production of low-carbon fuels or in the pre-treatment of waste for the production of renewable fuels, to give a few examples.
In this same operation, Repsol has transferred its innovative and pioneering technology for the biodegradation of polyethylene microplastics to DARWIN, which was being developed by a multidisciplinary team led by scientists from the Repsol Technology Lab. This project, initiated in 2020 by biotechnology experts from the multi-energy company’s R & D center, focused on the ability of certain micro-organisms to degrade this complex disposal waste, and almost from the beginning it had the collaboration of DARWIN, has become a key partner in the drive for this project.
This technology represents a breakthrough in the identification of micro-organisms and biocatalysts applicable in bioremediation, and opens up new opportunities for collaboration in other areas such as the development of biomaterials and bioproducts, o improving the efficiency of biogas production
Scientists identified a set of microorganisms with great potential for the bioremediation of polyolefins in water and soil treatment. Over the course of four years of the project, it has been demonstrated for the first time that these micro-organisms can biodegrade and reduce the mass of polyethylene and polyurethane microplastics under laboratory conditions.
The technology has been validated in numerous tests at laboratory scale and also in microcosm. It is in this context that Repsol has decided to transfer its technology to Darwin, with the aim of completing its development and facilitating its introduction into the market.
Repsol has found in DARWIN the ideal partner to continue developing its technology, as it fits into the biorefining vertical that the Valencian startup owns, It also has the technology and the technical and human capabilities to continue its growth and marketing. In addition, they have a trade network and a reputation in biotechnology that will facilitate the rapid introduction of technology into the market with good projections.
The transaction is part of a capital increase in which Biozell, a Valencian investment fund dedicated to supporting innovative projects in health and biotechnology, has also acquired a minority stake
Repsol will transfer to DARWIN the entire industrial property of the assets generated in its initial project for the microbiological biodegradation of microplastics. Likewise, based on this technology transfer and investment, DARWIN will be able to develop other use cases of the technology of interest to Repsol. This technology represents a breakthrough in the identification of micro-organisms and biocatalysts applicable in bioremediation, and opens up new opportunities for collaboration in other areas such as the development of biomaterials and bioproducts, or improving the efficiency of biogas production.
The transaction is part of a capital increase in which Biozell, a Valencian investment fund dedicated to supporting innovative projects in health and biotechnology, also participates.
About Repsol
Repsol is a global multi-energy company that is present throughout the energy value chain and employs 25,000 people, distributing its products to more than 24 million customers in over 90 countries. Technology is one of the key pillars in the company’s strategy to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Repsol Corporate Venturing has analyzed more than a thousand investment opportunities since its launch and currently participates in 22 companies. With an international focus, Repsol Corporate Venturing relies on a global network of contacts that includes incubators, universities or venture capital areas from other companies.
About DARWIN
DARWIN Bioprospecting Excellence is a microbial biotechnology company specializing in advanced bioprospecting to transform microbial diversity into industry solutions. DARWIN Bioprospecting Excellence seeks unique strains from diverse origins around the world and turns their potential into revolutionary solutions for the health and nutrition sectors, as well as bio-solutions. Their mission is clear: to innovate in biodiscovery by empowering the infinitely small.