In the heart of Europe’s agricultural landscape, corn and animal fat residues are emerging as valuable resources within the circular economy. This case study examines how agricultural companies can transform these materials into new revenue streams while also highlighting their potential as sustainable feedstocks for chemical production.
Challenge
Croatia’s bioeconomy sector generates nearly 2 million tons of corn and animal fat residues annually.
For this case study, VCG.AI outlined corn residues and rendered animal fats as the most interesting by-product stream due to their potential for valorisation. While the country has made progress in circular bioeconomy, especially with its new upcoming Strategy for the Bioeconomy by 2035 (Poljoprivreda.gov.hr, 2025), it is not yet capitalising on significant circular business opportunities. Companies producing these residues often discard feedstock that could be essential for chemical companies in their production processes.
Case Study: Building Circular Opportunities
In collaboration with our Croatian partner STEEM on the EU-funded SYMBIO project, VCG.AI aimed to connect existing companies’ by-products, technical solutions, and end-market applications in the region to create profitable, feasible business solutions.
Glycerol: A Versatile Circular Economy Champion
VCG.AI’s analysis, leveraging advanced AI and custom data inputs from SYMBIO, showed that glycerol, derived from animal fats and corn residues, presents the highest potential for bio-based circular side-stream valorisation in Croatia.
This versatile sugar alcohol is in high demand across various industries, such as:
- Food industry: Sweeteners, humectants, and preservatives
- Cosmetics and personal care: Moisturizers, soaps, and lotions
- Pharmaceuticals: Solvents, excipients, and ointments
- Bio-based chemical intermediates: Biofuels, propylene glycol, and epichlorohydrin
Abundant Feedstock and Established Infrastructure
Croatia offers two primary feedstock sources for glycerol production:
- Rendered fats from the meat processing industry, convertible to glycerol via biodiesel-type processes
- Over 1.5 million tonnes of corn-based biomass (stover, cobs, grain) suitable for fermentation to glycerol
Additionally, approximately 6,000 tons of crude glycerol—a valuable by-product of bioethanol and biodiesel production—are generated. This material can serve as another key feedstock for glycerol processing plants, enhancing supply chain resilience and resource efficiency as crude glycerol can be purified into a high-grade product.
VCG.AI’s analysis of the established industrial base revealed minimal industrial competition for corn residues. However, a specific amount of corn residues is needed for soil fertility. Existing animal by-product processing plants have minimal overlap regarding sourcing animal fat by-products. This creates a promising environment for seamlessly integrating glycerol production into the circular business model.
Realising the Potential with VCG.AI
Following the identification and development of the optimal data-driven circular business model, VCG.AI also determined existing local companies suitable to participate in the solution. This includes:
- 11+ prioritised potential supply partners
- 1 prioritised and currently existing technology provider for glycerol production
- 9+ large market application companies
One of several circular business opportunities identified by VCG.AI’s analysis in Croatia.
By leveraging this circular solution, meat processing companies, biodiesel plants, and agricultural companies can transform their by-products into valuable resources, while chemical companies can secure a sustainable, local source of glycerol for their production needs.
Contact VCG.AI today to explore how your company can benefit from these emerging circular opportunities and contribute to a more sustainable future — Book a Demo.
Funded by the European Union under GA No 101135166. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
