IGNIS P2X, Holcim, and Exolum unveil ECO2FLY, a pioneering project to decarbonize the construction materials industry and air transport
Holcim, IGNIS P2X, and Exolum have formed a strategic alliance to develop ECO2FLY, an innovative circular economy project that will transform industrial emissions — inherent in the cement production process — into sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF). These sustainable fuels can directly replace conventional fossil-based kerosene without requiring modifications to aircraft or refueling infrastructure, thereby enabling the immediate decarbonization of air transport.
The new facility, to be located at Holcim’s plant in Villaluenga de la Sagra (Toledo), is designed to capture over 700,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually from cement production. Part of this captured CO₂ will be combined with green hydrogen—produced using renewable energy—to convert it into sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF), with an estimated annual output of 100,000 tonnes. The remaining CO₂ will be permanently stored in geological formations.
The combination of cutting-edge technology and sustainable fuel production capacity positions ECO2FLY as a European benchmark in the decarbonization of key sectors considered hard to abate. In its first ten years of operation, ECO2FLY is expected to prevent the emission of more than 6.5 million tonnes of CO₂.
Ricardo de Pablos, CEO of Holcim Spain, stated “This strategic alliance with IGNIS P2X and Exolum represents a decisive step in our commitment to transforming and decarbonizing the industry. We are not only advancing in reducing the carbon footprint of our own processes but also driving a key innovation for construction—cement with a fully reduced carbon footprint.”
Ignacio Casajús, Global Strategy & Growth Lead at Exolum, emphasized “Exolum is firmly committed to forming alliances that enable the development of sustainable fuels, which today represent the only viable short-term solution to reduce carbon emissions in sectors like aviation and maritime transport.”
José Antonio Membiela, CEO of IGNIS P2X, described the project as “The most significant synthetic aviation fuel production initiative currently underway in Spain—not only due to its scale and strategic location, but also for the circular model offered by its partners (energy production, CO₂ capture, methanol generation, and aviation fuel use). ECO2FLY combines sustainability in essential industries like cement with the creation of a new decarbonization industry that will generate jobs and economic value for the region.”
Javier Esteban, Consortium Director and partner at P2X Spain, added “This project is a unique opportunity for Spain to become a European leader in e-SAF production, which brings enormous strategic value to our economy. It marks the beginning of a new industry that will boost employment, generate wealth, and drive a new energy paradigm—potentially positioning us, for the first time, as large-scale exporters of renewable fuels.”
ECO2FLY brings together companies from diverse sectors—construction, energy, mobility, tourism, and logistics—all vital to society. This alliance is a prime example of how cross-sector collaboration can help Europe successfully tackle its most pressing challenges. The project will be submitted to the next call for EU Innovation Funds. Its implementation will not only support the energy transition and progress toward net-zero emissions, but also enhance Spain and the European Union’s standing as global leaders in industrial innovation and sustainability, strengthening energy independence.
