Gecco

What Gecco does

Gecco is a French Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Avelin (Hauts-de-France), specializing in the collection and valorization of used cooking oils and bio-waste. The company operates two core services: free direct collection from professional food service operators (restaurants, hotels, canteens, snack bars, fast food) across France—primarily in the Hauts-de-France region—and a network of voluntary drop-off points (PAVs) for individual consumers located in supermarkets, recycling centers, and public spaces. Gecco supplies containers ranging from 30L bidons to 1000L IBCs and guarantees a 48-hour response for ad-hoc pickups. Collected oils are pre-processed at Gecco's Avelin workshop and forwarded to partner local bioraffineries that convert them into B100 biodiesel (1 kg of used oil yields 1 liter of biodiesel) or biolubricant for chainsaws.

Gecco is ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) certified, providing full traceability from the producing establishment to the final offtake customer and validating regulatory compliance for European biofuel markets. Life cycle analysis work has documented a 93% CO2 reduction versus fossil diesel and 70% versus agricultural biodiesels. The company generates revenue from the sale of collected oil to downstream bioraffineries and partners, complemented by ancillary e-commerce sales (e.g., virucide-certified hydroalcoholic gel launched during the COVID-19 pandemic). Gecco employs approximately 14 staff, of whom 80% have been recruited from unemployment and training programs under France's insertion-employment framework, providing both cost structure advantages and a distinctive social-utility narrative.

Gecco is the co-founder of the Olivert national used cooking oil collection network alongside VALO'Prest and coordinates the European BIOHEC-Life project to scale its model internationally. In November 2024, Gecco was acquired by the VALO' Group via VALO'Prest, joining a groupement of SSE companies spanning Grand Est and Gironde while guaranteeing continuity of its 14 jobs. The company is currently in judicial recovery (redressement judiciaire), which it states does not impact collection capabilities or service continuity.

Name

Gecco

Legal name

GECCO

Website

https://gecco.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gecco is a French Social and Solidarity Economy company, founded in 2007 and based in Avelin, that collects used cooking oils free of charge from restaurants, hotels, and canteens and processes them into biodiesel and biolubricant via partner bioraffineries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Used Cooking Oil Collection and Valorization Services

akta.pro primary industry

Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Services (Donation, Animal Feed, Source Reduction Programs) (EUAIAEAH)

Keywords

• Used cooking oil collection
• Biodiesel production
• Biolubricant manufacturing
• Waste oil recycling
• Cooking oil valorization

Headquarters

HQ city

Avelin

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Used cooking oil collection and valorization services: Gecco collects used cooking oils from professionals (restaurants, hotels, canteens) and individuals (via PAV network). Collection is free for professionals; Gecco generates revenue by valorizing collected oils into biofuel and biolubricant sold to downstream partners/bioraffineries.
2. Hydroalcoholic gel sales (e-commerce): During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gecco sold virucide-certified hydroalcoholic gel produced from the Social and Solidarity Economy through an online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gecco collects used cooking oils (huiles de friture) and food fats free of charge from professional food service operators (restaurants, hotels, canteens, fast-food chains, agri-food businesses) and accepts drop-offs from individuals via voluntary drop-off points (PAV). Collected oils are processed in Gecco's workshop and sent to partner local bioraffineries for valorization into B100 biodiesel and biolubricant. The service is ISCC-certified for full traceability and emphasizes a Social and Solidarity Economy insertion-employment mission.

Product overview

Gecco operates as a collection and valorization company for used cooking oils, comprising two core services: professional collection for restaurants, hotels, and food service businesses (CHR), and voluntary drop-off points (PAV) for individuals. The company provides free collection within 48 hours, supplying adapted containers (bidons 30L-220L and IBC 1000L). Collected oils are transformed into biofuel (biodiesel) and biolubricant through partner biorefineries. Gecco also previously sold hand sanitizer gel. The company is a co-founder of the Olivert national collection network and joined the VALO' group in November 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Used Cooking Oil Collection Service (Collecte d'huiles alimentaires usagées pour les professionnels) Free collection of used cooking oils and food fats from French professional food service operators (restaurants, hotels, canteens, fast-food chains, snack bars, fritteries, agri-food businesses). Gecco supplies adapted containers (bidons 30L, 60L, 120L, 220L or IBC 1000L), schedules regular pickups based on volumes, provides 48-hour ad-hoc response, and delivers full traceability documentation (bons d'enlèvement) per pickup. Oils are valorized into biodiesel or biolubricant.
• Voluntary Drop-off Points (Points d'Apport Volontaire / PAV) for Individuals Network of voluntary drop-off points where individuals can free deposit their household used cooking oils and food fats. PAVs are installed in accessible locations (supermarket parking lots, municipal recycling centers, shopping centers, public spaces) and listed via an interactive map on the Gecco website. The service supports individuals in proper disposal, avoiding canalization blockages and environmental pollution.
• Virucide-Certified Hydroalcoholic Gel (Gel hydroalcoolique) Hydroalcoholic hand sanitizer gel produced by Gecco, virucide-certified, sold at an affordable price via Gecco's online shop and originating from the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS).

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions from Gecco's biodiesel reduced by 93% compared to diesel and 70% compared to agricultural biodiesels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VALO' GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Gecco joined the VALO' group in November 2024 through the acquisition of VALO'Prest. VALO' is a group of Social and Solidarity Economy companies present in Grand Est and Gironde. VALO'Prest is expert in waste management and valorization, particularly used cooking oils. This acquisition guarantees continuity of Gecco's activities and maintenance of 14 jobs.
• RREUSEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2017RREUSE (Reuse and Recycling Social Enterprises in the European Union) is a European NGO representing the first European network of social enterprises in reuse, repair and recycling. RREUSE is a partner of Pour La Solidarité (PLS) and GECCO in the BIOHEC-life European project, promoting sustainable development values.
• VALO'PrestcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2014VALO'Prest and Gecco are long-standing partners that co-created the Olivert national used cooking oil collection network. VALO'Prest is an insertion company that accompanies people distant from employment. Gecco was acquired by VALO' group via VALO'Prest in November 2024.
• Olivert NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2014Olivert is the national used cooking oil collection network founded by Gecco and VALO'Prest. Gecco is the founder of this network which aims to develop used cooking oil collection across France. More information available at olivert.fr.
• Local BioraffineriescoreTechnology or IntegrationCollected used cooking oils are processed at Gecco's workshop then sent to local bioraffineries that valorize them into biofuel. The bioraffineries transform used oils into biodiesel (B100 for trucks) or biolubricant for chainsaws.
• BIOHEC-Life ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIOHEC-Life is a European project coordinated by Gecco, presented at the European Economic and Social Committee in March 2017. The project demonstrates biofuel financing in eco-innovations and aims to deploy Gecco's economic, social and environmental model across Europe.
• City of LilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Lille partnered with Gecco in the BIOHEC project to use Gecco's biodiesel in its vehicles (buses and urban cleaning equipment), contributing to less polluting and more environmentally friendly public transportation.
• cd2eminorStrategic or Co-development Partnercd2e (competitiveness cluster for sustainable development) has worked with INSEA since 2015 and organized visits to Gecco as part of its activities to support international sustainable development initiatives.
• INSEAminorOthersINSEA (Instituto de Socioeconomia Solidaria) is a sustainable development NGO based in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, working with the Brazilian ragpickers movement (MNCR). The delegation visited Gecco in September 2017 as part of international cooperation to learn about French circular economy projects.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SARP Industries (Veolia): Veolia subsidiary handling hazardous and special industrial waste, including UCO collection for industrial clients. Comparable as a much larger, broader waste-management player with overlapping UCO capabilities and national footprint — represents the incumbent competitive threat.
• SUEZ Recycling and Recovery France: Major French waste-management incumbent offering organic waste and used cooking oil collection as part of a broad municipal and industrial services portfolio. Comparable as a large-scale competitor able to bundle UCO pickup with other waste streams for municipalities and large accounts.
• Séché Environnement: French listed waste-management group (SECH.PA) handling hazardous, industrial, and organic waste including UCO recovery. Comparable as a broad incumbent with circular-economy positioning; competes for municipal contracts that Gecco also targets via its SSE status.

Direct peers

• VALO'Prest: Sister SSE company within the VALO' Group, also specialized in UCO collection and waste valorization. Now Gecco's parent/acquirer, making it the most directly comparable operator with overlapping French territory and ISCC-grade collection capabilities.
• Oléoclean (Oils & Co): French SME specialized in the collection and recycling of used cooking oils from restaurants and food service. Direct peer with same customer segment (CHR professionals), same collection mechanics, and same downstream valorization pathway into biodiesel.
• Chimex: One of France's leading collectors of used cooking oils, serving professional food service operators nationally. Directly competes with Gecco in the CHR segment with a similar free-collection, valorization-into-biofuel model and comparable ISCC certification posture.

Emerging players

• Saipol (Avril Group): French oilseed processor and biodiesel producer within the Avril cooperative group. Comparable as an integrator that procures waste oils for renewable fuel production, providing a demand-side counterpoint to Gecco's collection-side operations.
• Diester Industries (Sofiprotéol / Avril): French biodiesel producer (Avril group) that uses UCO as one of several feedstocks for renewable diesel. Comparable as the downstream buyer/partner category that Gecco's collected feedstock feeds into; also relevant as a potential vertical integrator threat.

Regional players

• Olivert Network: National UCO collection network co-founded by Gecco and VALO'Prest, aggregating independent regional collectors across France. Comparable as a federated alternative to single-operator collection; Gecco's leadership of Olivert makes it the de facto reference benchmark for the network.
• Ecocem (used cooking oil arm): Regional French player collecting and valorizing used cooking oils and food waste, primarily serving the Île-de-France and PACA regions. Comparable as a similar-sized SME in the same niche, providing a useful benchmark for Gecco's potential to scale beyond Hauts-de-France.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GeccoESS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sas-gecco
• Instagraminstagram.com/societe_gecco/?hl=fr
• Xx.com/geccoess

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gecco