We brought together a curated group of film-makers, biofuel experts, chemical researchers, site managers, material engineers, scientists and biotech lab technicians to speculate future material economies and new supply chains for bio-waste bi-products. These materials included wood flour (used to filter the biofuel) distilled glycerol and waste oil. The aim was to advance material concepts created for fatconomy and probe any future material economies so the industry can build around such inventions - creating crafted materials and eneergy from the waste stream.
The results were the creation of several "could be" scenarios for the waste to exist beyond its current uses. We developed the Slow Systems framework to champion efficacy rather than efficiency. Within this framework, we crafted six sample material aggregates that can be produced in biofuel facilities in the near future - creating a novel onsite material and energy production base. If we can create new avenues post-biofuel or even alongside biofuel, the industries need little adaptation to stay in business. Simplicity cultivates efficiency.
By empowering everyone involved in the process, we demonstrate the value of a more collaborative approach to waste innovations that can better future-proof an industry. We have developed material samples, such as fat packaging for transporting waste oils and clay 'fat' aggregates that lock in carbon. Developing a strategy for biofuel waste is highly relevant in today's climate, but achieving this requires significant resources, human labor, and expertise. The staff at Argent are deeply involved in handling waste fats. During our factory tour, the sharp, distinctive smell was noticeable, and the workers show up every day, ensuring efficiency in the process.
Through our field research we highlight the human angle in often impersonal and technology-driven contexts. A clear and heartfelt example of this shone through during our bio tour at Ardent Energy. A thread emerged during the discussions highlighting the workers’ acknowledgement of their role in actively working on a decarbonisation project whilst using a waste product. One participant proudly stated, ‘My kids think I’m a superhero’. Far from a single opinion, this statement resonated with the group since most of them had young children. We realised that the employees there weren’t just open to modifications and experimentation, they were ready and waiting for them.
The bio tours offer a unique and behind closed doors opportunity for us to understand and appreciate the potential of bio-waste material interventions and innovations within a closed system. Since Fatconomy aims to introduce craft into the energy production process, they also highlight the importance of reconceptualising the workforce from labourers into energy artisans. We want to propose a more flexible system for these new artisans to use their knowledge and experiment. By participating in such educational experiences, individuals can better understand waste management, sustainability, and the significance of human labour and craft in a modern industrial context. We would not have identified the makers who will be integral to the industry’s longevity without this firsthand research.
The short film below was created in collaboration with Argent Energy and their team in Stanlow, England. Waste processing to clean fuels is a meticulous and messy job, and the industry needs more attention to their vital roles.
