OLIWA

Repurposing OLIve WAste in circular economy solutions for feeds, additives, packaging and biogas.

UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA, NATAC BIOTECH, AIMPLAS, METANOGENIA, UNIVERSITY OF THESSALY, HAY-GREEN Sarl, BUTA ASSOS GIDA SAN. VE TIC. LTD. STI, CENTER OF BIOTECHNOLOGY OF BORJ-CÉDRIA, UNIVERSITY OF ANKARA, ESA GROUP ENERGY, ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI, MYROLION, ASSOCIATION FOR DEVELOPMENT - PRESERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE ASSOCIATION, FUNDACION UNIVERSITARIA SAN PABLO CEU-UNIVERSITY CEU CARDENAL HERRERA (UCHCEU), NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AGRONOMIC RESEARCH OF ALGERIA (INRAA), SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURAL TRAINING OF TIZI OUZOU (STIAT), UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO (UNITO), FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA (IIT), KONTOR 46, ITALIAN NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (CNR), LUCCHI E GUASTALLI SRL, CONSORZIO ITALIANO COMPOSTATORI (CIC), UNIVERSITY OF BOUIRA, SOLSTAR, OLEOCOOP SOUMMAM,

Objectives

The overall objective of this project, “Repurposing OLIve WAste in circular economy solutions for feeds, additives, packaging, and biogas – OLIWA”, is to conduct research activities to support the repurposing of olive waste to coproducts in a circular economy approach for feeds, functional ingredients, packaging and biogas, demonstrating the feasibility and sustainability of the circular value chain in six Mediterranean locations (Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Algeria and Tunisia). OLIWA will apply the Circular Economy/zero waste principle, developing a sustainable and innovative OBs repurposing model. Among others, the OLIWA project targets in its Objectives the Call KPIs: percentage reduction in food losses and waste (Target: achieve a minimum 25% reduction in food losses and waste).

Description

OLIWA is a 3-year research project aiming to repurpose olive oil production waste within a circular economy framework to enhance food security, renewable energy, and sustainable packaging in the Mediterranean region.

The project integrates bio-refinery systems into olive-producing ecosystems to extract bioactive compounds (in Spain and Tunisia) for use as natural alternatives to antibiotic feed additives (tested in Italy, Spain, and Turkey). It also explores insect farming (Black Soldier Fly and Mealworm) to convert olive waste into high-protein animal feed, reducing pressure on conventional feed resources (studied in Italy, Algeria, Greece, Tunisia, and Turkey).

OLIWA further investigates the production of biogas from insect, olive, and animal farming waste to supply on-farm renewable energy for cold storage and climate control (WP6). In parallel, it develops eco-friendly bio-packaging materials from olive waste to reduce plastic use (WP5).

The project concludes with a pilot demonstration of a self-sustainable food production system in Italy (WP7, WP8), and shares its outcomes widely through training and dissemination activities (WP1, WP9).

OLIWA embodies a bio-circular economy, aiming for zero waste and a resilient, sustainable agri-food system in the Mediterranean.

This project is part of the PRIMA programme supported by the European Union.