As Solutex proudly marks its 20th anniversary, we embark on an exciting journey back in time, celebrating the vision, challenges and triumphs that have shaped the company into a leader in sustainable food technology and omega-3 innovation. 

In this first instalment of our three-part series, we sit down with our Founder and CEO Dr. Fernando Moreno, whose passion for sustainable practices and engineering expertise have been driving forces behind Solutex’s remarkable evolution.  

From humble beginnings to groundbreaking innovations, Dr. Moreno shares the inspiring origins of Solutex, offering insights into how a commitment to eco-friendly solutions has set the stage for a healthier future. 

What inspired you to start this company 20 years ago?
When I founded Solutex, I was driven by my passion for sustainable technology and my extensive experience in international food industries. As a doctor in agronomic engineering, I’ve always been fascinated by how we can process food in a gentle, eco-friendly way. Solutex was born from that vision, leveraging green technology to create high-value ingredients for the food industry. Initially, we explored various sectors, but we quickly honed in on omega-3s, which became our core focus. By 2007, we were fully dedicated to this innovative and impactful area. 

How did you come up with the company’s name?
The name Solutex is derived from Spanish, meaning ‘extractive solutions for food’, which perfectly aligns with our mission; to specialize in the production and supply of high-purity EPA and DHA concentrates, extracted using our proprietary Flutex® Technology platform. 

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the early days?
One of our biggest challenges in the early days was starting from scratch without any products, factories or infrastructure. However, we had a strong belief in our patented supercritical CO2 technology, which allowed us to concentrate and purify molecules for high-quality nutritional ingredients. As omega-3s like EPA and DHA were gaining traction in the supplement market, we had to adapt quickly to meet that demand. Despite being a family-owned business with limited resources, our commitment and innovation helped us become one of the top five global players in the industry. 

What was your first major breakthrough or milestone, and what was its impact on the future of Solutex?
Our first major breakthrough came in 2004 with the development of our supercritical CO2 technology. This innovation allowed us to separate and concentrate EPA and DHA from fish oil at levels unmatched by any other manufacturer, with the flexibility to customize ratios. Importantly, it was a sustainable, waste-free process that aligned with our core value of environmental responsibility – well before it became an industry standard. 

This breakthrough positioned Solutex as a leading innovator in highly concentrated omega-3s, setting us apart from competitors and paving the way for our long-term success in the market. 

Can you describe a pivotal moment that significantly changed the direction of the company?
A pivotal moment for our company came when we partnered with Dr. Charles Serhan at Harvard University, who revealed groundbreaking insights about omega-3s. He introduced us to Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs), lipid compounds derived from EPA and DHA that play a crucial role in resolving inflammation. This discovery led to the development of our innovative Lipinova® SPM fraction. Shifting our focus to SPMs transformed our approach to combatting inflammation and shaped our commitment to using these powerful mediators to support global health, setting a new direction for our company’s growth and innovation. 

Ready to get onboard with Solutex? Discover our superior omega-3 ingredient solutions and how they can enhance your product portfolio or read on with the next part of our series, where we will dive into the transformative milestones that propelled Solutex to become a frontrunner in the omega-3 market.