The BACCO project is a pioneering initiative aimed at enabling the decarbonisation and circular transformation of the plastics industry by scaling up an innovative bio-industrial production process. Developed by Agromateriae, the project converts agro-industrial residues and waste streams into high-performance bio-based materials, creating new value while reducing environmental impact.

At its core, BACCO introduces an integrated production platform capable of generating advanced biofillers from a wide range of agricultural and food waste. This flexible approach allows the valorisation of feedstocks that are typically underutilised or unsuitable for industrial applications, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable use of resources. Compared to conventional biofiller solutions, BACCO offers improved scalability, enhanced material performance and increased cost-effectiveness.

The technological breakthrough of the project lies in a novel “three-in-one” process, which significantly reduces energy consumption, eliminates the need for chemical solvents and enables faster, more controlled production cycles. This results in a streamlined and resource-efficient manufacturing pathway, capable of producing multiple value-added outputs from diverse waste streams, while improving the thermo-mechanical properties of the final materials.

In addition, BACCO directly addresses the challenge of reducing emissions in a hard-to-abate sector such as plastics manufacturing. The project is expected to deliver a greenhouse gas emission reduction of approximately 73% compared to a conventional production process, demonstrating a step-change in environmental performance.

Over its first ten years of operation, this translates into around 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent avoided, a tangible contribution to climate change mitigation and decarbonisation in an energy-intensive industry such as plastic production.

In addition, the impact of the project can be illustrated by its material substitution effect: the emissions saved are equivalent to those generated by the production of approximately 800 million PET bottles, highlighting the scale of its potential environmental benefits.

Beyond its decarbonisation potential, BACCO strengthens both the technological and commercial viability of bio-based materials within the plastics value chain. By improving the quality and performance of biofillers, the project enables their adoption at industrial scale, reducing dependence on virgin fossil-based raw materials and fostering more resilient and circular supply chains.

Aligned with key European policy priorities, including the EU Green Deal and the transition to climate neutrality, BACCO supports the development of sustainable, biodegradable and recyclable plastic solutions. Its high replicability across different waste streams and industrial applications positions the project as a benchmark for the future of circular, low-carbon materials in Europe.