At Fenoquímica, sustainability has been part of our philosophy since 1989. As a family-run business specialising in the formulation, manufacture and distribution of phenolic compounds for various industrial sectors, we strive to combine innovation, quality and a more responsible use of resources.
Our materials can incorporate up to 60% of raw materials of biogenic origin. However, some of the raw materials used in conventional phenolic resins still come from fossil sources.
Faced with this challenge, we are driving forward BIOFEN, an innovation project that seeks to explore renewable, plant-based alternatives for the manufacture of phenolic resins, reducing dependence on fossil resources without compromising the performance standards demanded by the industry.
What is the BIOFEN project?
BIOFEN stems from a key question for the future of industrial materials: is it possible to replace some of the fossil-based raw materials with renewable alternatives whilst maintaining the quality and technical properties of phenolic composites?
To explore this possibility, Fenoquímica is collaborating with three vocational training centres: the INS Provençana in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat; the Escola del Treball in Lleida; and the CIFP Corona de Aragón in Zaragoza.
In June 2026, the project received support from CaixaBank Dualiza, as part of its commitment to innovation and collaboration between businesses and educational institutions. During the 2026–2027 academic year, students, teachers and Fenoquímica’s technical team will work together on this industrial innovation challenge.
The initiative will enable the exploration of new ways to produce phenolic resins from renewable plant-based raw materials, combining research, experimentation and technical expertise.
Industrial innovation and vocational training
The collaboration between Fenoquímica and the three educational institutions links the real needs of industry with the training of future technical professionals.
On the one hand, BIOFEN presents a technological challenge relating to the sustainability of thermosetting materials. On the other, it offers students the opportunity to take part in an applied innovation project, applying their academic knowledge to a real-world industrial setting.
This collaboration also brings fundamental concepts for the future of the chemical industry – such as sustainable chemistry, circularity and decarbonisation – into the classroom.
For Fenoquímica, BIOFEN represents both an opportunity to research new raw materials and a way of contributing to the training of the next generation of professionals.
Sustainability, innovation and quality: the pillars of FENOQUÍMICA
Phenolic resins are thermosetting materials used in numerous industrial applications due to their technical properties. Therefore, moving towards more sustainable formulations requires carefully evaluating alternative raw materials and ensuring that the materials maintain the necessary performance characteristics for each application.
En Fenoquímica, abordamos este reto a partir de tres pilares:
- Sustainability: exploring renewable plant-based raw materials that enable us to reduce our reliance on fossil resources.
- Innovation: researching new formulations of phenolic compounds that address the industry’s environmental and technological challenges.
- Quality: evaluating the properties of new materials to ensure they meet the technical requirements of industrial applications.
The incorporation of renewable raw materials must be accompanied by a rigorous assessment of their performance. For this reason, BIOFEN focuses on researching alternatives and generating knowledge that can help improve the sustainability of phenolic resins.
Training today’s students who will transform the industry tomorrow
The transition towards a more sustainable chemical industry requires new technologies and raw materials, but also professionals who are equipped to develop and implement these solutions. Through BIOFEN, students from INS Provençana, l’Escola del Treball de Lleida and CIFP Corona de Aragón will be able to take part in a project that links technical training with the industry’s current challenges.
Para Fenoquímica, invertir en investigación y en formación es esencial para avanzar hacia un modelo industrial más responsable. BIOFEN nos permite seguir explorando alternativas para desarrollar compuestos fenólicos con las prestaciones técnicas que requiere el mercado y una mayor atención al origen de las materias primas.
Since 1989, we have been working to provide solutions tailored to the needs of industry. With BIOFEN, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability, helping to pave the way for the materials of the future.
Fenoquímica. Shaping a Sustainable Tomorrow.
