Advancing sustainable wheat processing with Quantis

Casillo S.p.A. has been a leader in the milling and processing of durum and soft wheat since 1958. Over the years, its operations have expanded into logistics, training, renewable energy and branded food products. Casillo Next Gen Food, the company’s food-tech arm, is spearheading the Group’s transition to high-value-added ingredient production, focusing on sustainable, plant-based ingredients derived from wheat milling by-products.

Casillo Next Gen Food partnered with Quantis to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of its innovative Altograno® flour mix. This unique product, made entirely from wheat, boasts enhanced protein, fiber, minerals and vitamins while utilizing upcycled wheat germ by-products. Quantis’ expertise in planetary boundaries and environmental assessment provided the necessary insights to measure and communicate the sustainability benefits of this novel ingredient.

Challenge

Casillo sought to quantify and communicate the environmental impact of Altograno® and its Lavorazione Circolare® process. As an innovator in wheat processing, the company needed a robust, science-based evaluation to:

• Understand the environmental footprint of its new upcycled flour mix.
• Compare the sustainability performance of Altograno® against traditional wheat-based products.
• Strengthen its sustainability claims with reliable data to inform retailers and consumers.

As sustainability expectations rise within the food industry, Casillo Next Gen Food needed robust, third-party verified environmental data to differentiate its offering in a competitive marketplace.

Solutions

To quantify the environmental impact of Altograno®, Quantis conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) under the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) framework. The objectives were to:

• Identify environmental hotspots and areas for improvement.
• Assess methodological choices and uncertainties affecting LCA results.
• Provide a science-based foundation for sustainability claims targeting retailers and consumers.
• Ensure third-party verification for credibility and transparency, as well as the publication of the EPD. 

To enhance market positioning, Quantis developed a visually engaging Selling Kit for Casillo Next Gen Food. The Selling Kit included:

• Clear communication of Casillo’s sustainability commitments and Altograno®’s benefits.
• Nutritional advantages of Altograno®.
• Environmental impact insights derived from the LCA.
• A Life Cycle Perception Game to help the sales team translate LCA findings into practical, relatable figures for clients.

The LCA conducted by Quantis provided invaluable insights into the sustainability of our Lavorazione Circolare® process. The findings confirmed that upcycling wheat milling by-products can significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining high nutritional quality. The Selling Kit equipped our team with compelling, science-backed messaging to engage clients and differentiate Altograno® in the market.

Graziano Stasi, Business Strategy Manager, Casillo

Results

By leveraging LCA insights and the Selling Kit, Casillo Next Gen Food effectively communicated the sustainability performance of Altograno® to stakeholders.

Key outcomes include:

• Circularity Advantage: Altograno® upcycles nutrient-rich wheat germ and bran, preventing waste and enhancing resource efficiency.
• Impact Reduction: The Lavorazione Circolare® process reduces environmental impacts relative to conventional wheat flour production.
• Pathway for Further Improvements: The study identified wheat cultivation and inbound transport as primary environmental hotspots, highlighting opportunities for Casillo to further lower its footprint through sustainable agricultural practices and improved supply chain efficiencies.

With Quantis’ expertise, Casillo now has a clear, science-backed understanding of the environmental benefits of Altograno® and its innovative Lavorazione Circolare® process. This collaboration didn’t just measure impact — it empowered Casillo to take action. Equipped with robust data and credible insights, the company is ready to push its sustainability strategy further, communicate its progress with confidence and drive real change in the food industry.