Built by Bagasse

The message of the project

Sugarcane converts CO2 into biomass up to 50 times more efficiently than timber. However, due to a lack of innovation and infrastructure, bagasse— the fibrous byproduct of sugarcane— is often burnt or left to rot, releasing the captured CO2 and offering little economic or social value to the Global South. Built By Bagasse addresses this gap by generating socio-economic value through the creation of classic, effective, and aesthetically pleasing insulating and acoustic surface panel systems that are reconfigurable, renewable, and recyclable.

The idea behind the project

Built By Bagasse offers acoustic and thermal insulation panels as bio-based alternatives to petroleum-based products, significantly reducing embodied CO2, lowering global hydrocarbon use, and improving energy efficiency and comfort. By engaging Global South producers in equitable supply chains, the project also contributes to social and economic sustainability. With a global supply of bagasse 600 times greater than that of hemp, it stands as the most viable solution for large-scale bio-based material innovation.

What next?

The post-WORTH business strategy focuses on small-scale production in Spain and Portugal, where sugarcane is both produced and processed, while fostering collaboration with partners and NGOs in sugarcane-rich nations like India and Brazil. EU Ecolabel certification enhances the project's credibility and market competitiveness. Built By Bagasse plans to leverage transparent storytelling and marketing to underscore its commitment to responsible design, resource-efficient production, and economic inclusion.