RACE Project Drives Innovation In Using Abattoir By-products To Create Sustainable Construction Materials

The Government is making a tangible investment in innovation and sustainability through the launch of the RACE Project – Recycling Abattoir By-products for Construction Materials Engineering. This initiative will explore how abattoir by-products can be transformed into high-performance construction materials. The project, valued at €350,000, is co-funded by the European Union and is being carried out in partnership with the Public Abattoir, the University of Malta, and the Pig Breeders’ Cooperative.

The announcement was made during a visit to the Public Abattoir, where Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo and Minister for European Funds and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi met with researchers and representatives from the sectors involved. It was explained that the project focuses on recycling pig hair and bone, which together amount to around 3.7 tonnes of waste every week waste that is currently sent for incineration.

Minister Refalo stated that the project reflects the Government’s vision to strengthen innovation at the heart of the agricultural sector and its related industries. “The RACE project is clear proof of how Malta can move forward with courage and foresight towards a modern and sustainable economy,” he said.

“We are tackling a real challenge waste management and turning it into a valuable opportunity. This not only demonstrates the results of collective commitment between the public, scientific and farming sectors, but also shows that our country is capable of producing original solutions that can serve as a model for others. The project confirms that our agricultural sector has a strategic role in protecting the environment and in building a stronger, more sustainable future for all our communities,” Minister Refalo added.

Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi described the RACE project as a clear example of how innovation and the efficient use of EU funds can transform challenges into new opportunities for the country. He explained that through this initiative, materials traditionally considered waste incurring disposal costs will instead be used as secondary products that can be sold as components for sustainable concrete, benefitting both the environment and farmers.

“Through the funds of the Common Agricultural Policy, we are encouraging solutions that connect research with practical application. This project demonstrates how innovation and partnerships between public institutions, farmers and researchers can create real value for both the agricultural sector and the construction industry,” Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi said.

The RACE project will address both the challenge of waste management at the Public Abattoir and the environmental impact of construction materials. The initiative will contribute to cleaner industries, more sustainable production models, and new value-added opportunities within the agricultural and construction sectors.

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