Carbon-Negative Aggregate Plant Launched in Bilbao: A Milestone for O.C.O Technology and Sustainable Waste Management

Petronor, an oil and gas company, has teamed up with O.C.O Technology to establish a state-of-the-art €20 million facility in the Port of Bilbao, Spain. The goal of this partnership is to create the first carbon-negative manufactured limestone aggregate plant in continental Europe using O.C.O’s Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT). This collaboration represents a significant step towards meeting the environmental targets set by the European Union, as the plant in Bilbao is set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive economic growth and innovation in the region.

The process behind this collaboration involves capturing CO2 from the Petronor refinery and treating municipal waste that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. O.C.O CEO Steve Greig announced that this project marks several milestones for his company, including their first carbon capture and aggregates manufacturing facility on a large scale in Europe. Additionally, it signifies the beginning of their partnership with Biscay Eco Aggregates SL (BEA), where O.C.O holds a 25% ownership share while Petronor holds 75%.

Greig stated, “Our innovative processes and products are making a significant impact on the low-carbon circular economy. We believe this is just the beginning of many opportunities to showcase how our technology can revolutionize waste management in the European Energy from Waste sector.” The Spanish community has already recognized the potential of this collaboration, with it receiving numerous awards, investments, and financial support from various programs such as the Basque government’s Indartu program.

This joint venture between O.C.O Technology and Petronor represents a major stride towards sustainable solutions for industrial waste management. Construction of the Bilbao plant is set to commence later this year, with operations expected to begin by early 2026