Ficta Studio/Robert Johnson has designed Fatconomy – The Waste Fa(c)t Machine in collaboration with Manufactured Design/Daniel Barnes, a waste fat and oil analysis tool that detects nutritional profiles, exposes fraudulent imports disguised as waste and reveals potential material pathways for fats beyond biofuels.

By identifying fraudulent imports masquerading as waste, such as rebranded palm oil residues, Fa(c)t challenges corrupt supply chains while revealing new material uses for fats beyond biofuel.

Developed as part of the Fatconomy ecosystem, The Waste Fa(c)t Machine proposes a future where waste is not just reduced but revalued, supporting circular innovation for the biodiesel factory, produced by founder of FICTA studio Robert Johnson under the design fellowship for the Royal Commission of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

The key software and hardware used to create the prototype concept was an open-source gas molecule sensor, PH level and viscosity sensors used to detect the free fatty acid content – the higher the FFA profile, the more expensive it will be to create biodiesel from, a high figure will then be used as a feedstock for biochar, a carbon negative procedure to create a carbon base material.

This project has been longlisted in the sustainable design category of Dezeen Awards 2025.

Studio: Ficta Studio
Project: Fatconomy – The Waste Fa(c)t Machine
Credits: Manufactured Design and Fatconomy